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Flying to Zanzibar

  • Updated

Before taking off to Zanzibar, there are certain things you need to have done and have ready to be granted access to the country.

Remember to bring along a form of entertainment, such as a good book or digital content downloaded onto a device, to keep you entertained during your flight.

Below, we provide you with an easy list you can reference to make sure you are ready to enjoy your holiday.

 

Documentation Requirements For Flights To Zanzibar

  • A passport that is valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry and has at least 2 blank pages for stamps. Non-South African citizens will also require a visa.
  • Infants and children under 18 require both a passport and an unabridged birth certificate for travel. Additionally, a consent letter (Affidavit) is required when an infant or child travels with one (1) parent.

  • From 1 October 2024, Zanzibar will implement a new mandatory travel insurance policy. The insurance must be obtained from the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation at https://visitzanzibar.go.tz/insurance/application. A QR must be presented upon arrival.

  • Visitors to Zanzibar must hold return/onward tickets.
  • It is recommended to have health insurance and a vaccination card.

If a child under 18 years is not travelling with both parents, the following will also be required:

If travelling with one parent:

  • Parental Consent Letter - download an example: https://flyfa.me/parental-consent-template 
  • Copy of the passport/ID of the absent parent
  • Contact details of the absent parent
  • Where applicable, a copy of the death certificate of the deceased parent or a copy of a court order granting full parental responsibilities or legal guardianship in respect of the child.

If travelling with a person who is not his/her biological parent:

  1. Parental Consent Letter/s - download an example: https://flyfa.me/parental-consent-template 
  2. Copy of the passport/ID of the parent/s or legal guardian/s
  3. Contact details of the parent/s or legal guardian/s
  4. Where applicable:
    • a copy of the death certificate of the deceased parent/s
    • a copy of an adoption order
    • a copy of a court order granting full parental responsibilities or legal guardianship in respect of the child.
School tours:
In the case of school tours, the parental consent letter may be replaced with a letter from the school principal confirming that all consent letters are held by the school - example available at https://flyfa.me/principal-consent-template.  Upon producing this letter, immigration officers at ports of entry and South African missions abroad would not require any additional documents from individual scholars, such as parental consent, birth certificates, death certificates, court orders or copies of the passports or identity documents of the parents and the person receiving the child in SA. This special dispensation applies to all schools registered with the Department of Basic Education in South Africa and its equivalent abroad in respect of South African and visa-required children.

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