Nigerians travelling to Tanzania will no longer need the additional immigration clearance previously required under the country's referral visa system, following a change to Tanzania's visa rules.

Nigeria is no longer included on the current list of countries whose nationals require special approval from Tanzania's Commissioner General of Immigration before a visa can be issued.

The change removes an extra layer of processing that had previously distinguished Nigerian applicants from ordinary visa applicants.

It does not, however, mean Nigerians can now travel to Tanzania without a visa.

Tanzania's official immigration guidance continues to list Nigeria among Commonwealth countries whose nationals require a visa to enter the East African country.

That distinction is important for travellers who may interpret the removal of referral clearance as the introduction of visa-free travel.

Under Tanzania's referral system, citizens of designated countries are required to obtain special immigration clearance before their visa applications can be approved. Applicants are generally advised not to book flights or make firm travel arrangements before receiving approval because the referral process can take considerably longer than an ordinary visa application.

Nigeria no longer appears on the referral list currently published by the Tanzanian High Commission in Abuja.

The list still includes countries such as Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Chad, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Lebanon, Mali, Niger, Senegal, Somalia and Sri Lanka, among others.

Tanzania's Immigration Services Department also advises travellers to check the referral list regularly because the countries covered by the system can be reviewed from time to time.

The latest change therefore means a Nigerian applicant should no longer require the additional referral clearance simply because of Nigerian nationality.

Nigerian passport holders must still satisfy Tanzania's normal entry requirements and obtain the appropriate visa before travelling, unless they fall under another applicable exemption.

The country's eVisa guidelines specifically state that Nigeria is among the Commonwealth countries whose citizens are not covered by Tanzania's general visa exemption.

Travellers should therefore avoid assuming that the policy change amounts to automatic entry at the border.

The safest approach remains to check the Tanzanian Immigration Services visa portal or the Tanzanian High Commission in Abuja before purchasing tickets, particularly because visa categories, documentation requirements and entry rules can change.

The adjustment is likely to make the application process less cumbersome for Nigerians who previously faced the referral requirement for tourism, business or other travel.

It also comes as African governments continue to face pressure to reduce barriers to movement within the continent.

For Nigerian travellers, the practical takeaway is straightforward: the additional referral clearance has been removed, but the visa itself has not.