Tanzania Health Surveillance

Q: What is the Tanzania Health Surveillance?

The Tanzania Health Surveillance (THSF) is the online Traveller's Health Surveillance Form managed by the Ministry of Health. It must be completed within 24 hours before arrival and produces an emailed PDF and QR code for Port Health Officers to scan on entry. See the official portal at afyamsafiri.moh.go.tz .

Q: Who needs the Tanzania Health Surveillance?

All international travellers who will clear immigration in Tanzania must submit the form within 24 hours before arrival. Transit passengers who remain airside and crew on duty are usually exempt. For visa and entry rules see Tanzania visa information and immigration.go.tz .

Q: What happens if I arrive without a valid health surveillance confirmation?

Arriving without the confirmation can cause delays: Port Health Officers may require you to complete the form before clearance, and you could miss onward transfers. Airlines sometimes check the confirmation at departure. To avoid problems, apply online before you travel.

Q: Can I edit or correct my Tanzania Health Surveillance submission after sending it?

Yes — minor corrections (typos in passport number or flight details) can usually be fixed using the official edit function on the AfyaMsafiri portal. If you need help, contact DoVisa support and keep your emailed confirmation and reference number handy.

Q: Is a departure Tanzania Health Surveillance also required?

No — current Ministry of Health guidance requires the pre-arrival submission only. There is no separate mandatory outbound health declaration for routine departures; check the AfyaMsafiri portal for updates at afyamsafiri.moh.go.tz .

Q: Which airports and seaports accept this document?

Present the confirmation to Port Health Officers at any official arrival point. Major international airports include Julius Nyerere International (Dar es Salaam – DAR), Kilimanjaro International (JRO), Abeid Amani Karume International (Zanzibar – ZNZ) and Mwanza (MWZ). Sea and land ports with formal entry points also accept the QR/PDF during inspection.

Q: Can I apply from my mobile phone?

Yes. The AfyaMsafiri portal supports mobile submissions — upload vaccination records or photos with a working device and stable internet. For guided completion and document checks, you can also apply with DoVisa using a smartphone or tablet.

Q: How far in advance should I apply for the health surveillance form?

Complete the form within 24 hours before your scheduled arrival time — not earlier. We recommend submitting 24–4 hours before departure so you have time to fix issues. Start your application now to ensure the confirmation arrives before check‑in.

Q: What is the step-by-step application process?

1) Go to the AfyaMsafiri portal or use DoVisa to start. 2) Enter passport and flight details, travel history and health questions. 3) Upload any required vaccination certificates. 4) Submit and save the emailed PDF/QR confirmation to present at arrival. If you use DoVisa, expert checks reduce errors.

Q: Do children need their own Tanzania Health Surveillance?

Yes. Each traveller, including infants and minors, must have an individual submission. A parent or guardian should complete the entry for children and keep a copy of each child's confirmation for immigration and Port Health checks.

Complete your Tanzania Health Surveillance form online within 24 hours before arrival — receive an email/PDF confirmation and QR code for immigration checks.

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What Is the Tanzania Health Surveillance?

The Tanzania Health Surveillance is a mandatory pre-arrival health declaration the Government of Tanzania introduced as an online Traveller's Health Surveillance Form (THSF) to streamline public-health screening at ports of entry. Managed by the Ministry of Health through the AfyaMsafiri portal, the document replaced older paper questionnaires and ad-hoc arrival screening in many arrival halls, creating a central digital record for Port Health Officers.

Visitors submit the THSF via the official portal (afyamsafiri.moh.go.tz) or through authorized providers for guided completion. The application collects basic personal details, recent travel and health history, and vaccination information where relevant. After approval you receive an electronic confirmation — typically a PDF and an email containing a QR code — which immigration and port health officials may scan at arrival. Airlines and ground handlers sometimes request the confirmation at outbound check-in.

The THSF is not a visa or entry permit; it is a health-screening registration that sits alongside immigration rules administered by the Tanzania Immigration Department. Recent updates from Tanzanian authorities have standardised the online submission window: travelers should complete the form within 24 hours before arrival. The form does not replace visa requirements, proof of return/onward travel, or passport checks at the border.

For full entry rules see Tanzania visa information and the official AfyaMsafiri portal (afyamsafiri.moh.go.tz). Ready to get the confirmation? Apply now.

Who Needs the Tanzania Health Surveillance?

Who Needs It

All international travellers entering the United Republic of Tanzania who will clear arrival immigration
Visitors arriving to mainland Tanzania or Zanzibar (submit separate entries if arriving to different islands on different flights)
Children and minors — a parent or guardian completes the submission on their behalf
Returning Tanzanian nationals entering through formal entry points

Who Is Exempt

Tanzanian nationals (when travelling on a Tanzanian passport and entering for residence)
Airline and vessel crew on active official duty
Diplomatic and official passport holders on government business

Tanzania Entry Requirements & Restrictions

Passport Validity

Your passport should meet the standard Tanzania entry rule of at least 6 months validity from your date of arrival and have at least one blank page for an entry stamp. Confirm specific guidance on the Tanzania Immigration site: immigration.go.tz.

Vaccination Requirements

A Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is required if you are arriving from or transiting through a country with yellow fever risk. The U.S. Embassy and CDC list the countries and exemptions — consult us.tzembassy.go.tz and CDC Tanzania for details.

Customs & Prohibited Items

Tanzania prohibits the importation of illegal narcotics, unlicensed firearms/ammunition, pornographic material, and counterfeit goods. Agricultural restrictions and seasonal import bans may apply — check official customs and trade notices before travel.

Health Screening & Infectious Disease Advice

Health risks such as malaria, cholera, and measles exist in parts of Tanzania. The form helps Port Health Officers identify symptomatic travellers for on-arrival screening; travellers with symptoms may undergo additional checks or isolation per Ministry of Health guidance.

Travel Insurance & Medical Care

Comprehensive travel and medical evacuation insurance is strongly recommended. Medical facilities are limited in remote safari regions and on some islands; serious cases may require transfer to major urban centres.

Travel Tips for Tanzania Visitors

Tanzania is an East African nation famed for safari parks and the islands of Zanzibar. International travellers typically land at Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam (DAR), Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) for northern safari circuits, Abeid Amani Karume International Airport in Zanzibar (ZNZ), and Mwanza Airport (MWZ) for Lake Victoria access. Plan transfers ahead — domestic flights and road transfers can be long.

Currency: Tanzanian Shilling (TZS); many lodges and safari operators accept US Dollars (USD) for large services but carry local currency for everyday purchases.
Language: Swahili is the national language; English is widely spoken in tourist hubs and by safari operators.
Time zone: East Africa Time — GMT+3.
Best time to visit: June–October (dry season) for game viewing; short rains in November and long rains Mar–May may affect road travel.
Health: Take malaria prophylaxis where recommended, drink bottled water, and follow food-safety advice in remote areas.
Local laws & customs: Dress respectfully, especially in Zanzibar where conservative dress is expected away from resort beaches.
Security: Keep valuables secure in cities, avoid isolated areas at night and follow local advice about areas to avoid near borders.
Save your confirmation: Screenshot or download the Health Surveillance PDF/QR code — airport Wi‑Fi can be unreliable during arrivals.

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Amina R.Feb 10, 2026

"Completed the Tanzania Health Surveillance quickly before our safari. The PDF with QR code arrived by email and immigration at Julius Nyerere (DAR) just scanned it — no queue delays."

Lucas M.Jan 27, 2026

"Easy process on my phone during a layover. The guidance on yellow fever questions was clear and the confirmation PDF was in my inbox within an hour."

Fatou B.Dec 18, 2025

"Did the form the day before our Zanzibar trip. The health questions are straightforward and staff at ZNZ accepted the QR code from my phone without fuss."

Marco G.Nov 22, 2025

"I used DoVisa to fill the Tanzania Health Surveillance when I booked a last-minute safari. Support checked the entries and the confirmation arrived fast — perfect before an early flight to JRO."

Nora S.Oct 30, 2025

"Fast and clear. The checklist reminded me to have my yellow fever record ready for the port health officer — made entry smoother at Mwanza airport."

Kwame A.Sep 14, 2025

"Form was straightforward but I needed help with the vaccination section. Support responded quickly and I received the corrected PDF in time for check-in."

Elena P.Aug 5, 2025

"Family trip to Serengeti — completed the Tanzania Health Surveillance for each of us. Having confirmations organised made transfers and immigration checks seamless."

Hiro T.Jun 11, 2025

"Upload of a scanned vaccine card was a little fussy on my phone but support helped resize the image. Confirmation arrived well before departure."

Marta L.May 3, 2025

"Minor delay: I made a typo in my passport number and had to update it using the government edit link. Once corrected, immigration accepted the confirmation at DAR."