When you’re planning to visit Tanzania, it’s important to know about getting a Tanzanian Visa. There are two main ways to do it: you can either get a Visa on Arrival or an e-Visa that you apply for before you arrive in Tanzania.

Choosing Your Visa Option

If your trip is coming up within the next two weeks, it’s a good idea to get a Visa on Arrival, as long as you’re allowed to do so. To do this, you’ll need to provide some information about your visa, and we’ll give you the details you need in your booking voucher.

Who Needs a Tourist Visa for Tanzania?

Most people from different countries, like those in Europe, the UK, Australia, New Zealand, the US, Canada, and other parts of Latin America and Asia (except for Hong Kong and Singapore), need to apply for a visa before they travel to Tanzania. Don’t worry, though – the process is usually pretty straightforward.

If you’re visiting Tanzania for tourism, you’ll need what’s called an Ordinary Visa. This kind of visa lets you enter Tanzania once and stay for up to three months. If you’re going to a conference, doing humanitarian work, or charity events, this is the visa for you. It costs $50, but if you’re from the US, you have to get a more expensive multiple-entry visa.

Your passport should be valid for at least six months from the day you arrive in Tanzania. They might also ask you to show proof that you have a return ticket and enough money for your stay.

People from Brazil, China, India, and Turkey who have special or diplomatic passports can enter Tanzania without a visa.

Multiple-entry visa

If you’re from the US or you plan to visit Tanzania more than once in a year, a multiple-entry visa is a good idea. It costs $100, and it lets you enter Tanzania many times within a year, staying up to three months each time. If you’re from another country, you have to explain why you need a multiple-entry visa, like if you’re going to Kenya or nearby countries as part of your trip.

To get a multiple-entry visa, your passport should be good for at least six months from the day you enter Tanzania. You’ll also need a passport photo, proof of your return ticket to Tanzania, and maybe some other documents. Check with the Tanzanian embassy or consulate in your country for more details.

Getting Your Visa Online

Tanzania now has e-visas, which means you can apply for a visa online. All you need to do is provide your passport info, a scanned copy of your passport pages, a clear passport-style photo of yourself, and proof that you’ve paid. Some Tanzanian embassies and consulates in other countries can also process your application, but not all of them.

Getting a Visa When You Arrive

You can also get a visa when you arrive in Tanzania, no matter where you’re from. Before you make your travel plans, it’s a good idea to check the latest rules on the Tanzania Immigration Services Department website.

You can get on-arrival visas at international airports in Dar es Salaam, Kilimanjaro, and Zanzibar. You can also get them at the Namanga border post between Tanzania and Kenya, and at the Tunduma border crossing between Tanzania and Zambia.

What to Expect with On Arrival Visa Process

When you arrive in Tanzania with a visa, you might be directed to the emergency visa checkpoint. This is where you can get your visa on arrival. Here’s what you’ll have to do:

1. Wait in line for a Government Control Number.
2. Wait in line at the bank to pay for your visa.
3. Wait in line for Immigration to check your documents and give you your visa.

The lines can be long, and they might ask you for proof that you’re continuing your travels and that you have enough money for your stay.

We strongly recommend that if you have enough time before you travel, you apply for your Tanzania visa online at https://www.immigration.go.tz/. The process for getting a visa on arrival can take more than two hours, and we’d rather you didn’t have to go through that.

Special Requirements like Yellow Fever

Not everyone needs a yellow fever vaccination certificate to enter Tanzania. However, if you’ve been to a country with yellow fever (like Kenya) within 21 days before you arrive in Tanzania, you will need to show a vaccination certificate.

There are also special rules for citizens of 28 countries in Central Asia and Africa. They need special permission from the Commissioner-General of Immigration to travel to Tanzania. You can find a full list on the Immigration Services Department’s e-visa portal.

Transit and Extending Your Visa

If you’re just passing through Tanzania on your way to another country, like Kenya or Rwanda, you might only need a transit visa. It costs $30, but you can’t stay in Tanzania for more than seven days. You might need to show proof that you’re going to the next country.

If you’re in Tanzania and want to stay longer than three months, it’s possible to extend your visa for another three months. You can do this at the immigration office in Dar es Salaam or other major Tanzanian cities.

Keep in mind that visa rules can change, so it’s a good idea to check the official Tanzania Immigration website: https://www.immigration.go.tz/. This way, you’ll have the most up-to-date information for your trip.