Visa and Entry Requirements for Tanzania

Entry to Tanzania is usually straightforward when travelers confirm the rules for their passport and prepare the correct documents before departure. Visa eligibility is based on nationality and travel purpose, and the official country lists can change. Every guest should check the Tanzania Immigration Services eVisa portal before booking or traveling.

Important: a visa is permission to travel, not a guarantee of entry

A Tanzanian visa or Visa Grant Notice authorizes a traveler to present for entry clearance. The Immigration Officer at the point of entry has final authority to admit or refuse entry based on the information and documents presented.

Before applying or traveling

• Make sure your passport will remain valid for at least six months and has at least one unused visa page.

• Check whether your nationality is visa-exempt, eligible for an eVisa or visa on arrival, or subject to advance referral approval.

• Choose the visa category that matches the real purpose of your visit. Applying for the wrong category or omitting required documents may lead to rejection.

• Use only the official Tanzania Immigration Services portal at visa.immigration.go.tz. Avoid unofficial visa agents and look-alike websites.

• Keep a return ticket ready. Tanzania Immigration states that visitors must show it at the point of entry.

Who needs a visa?

Tanzania maintains separate official lists for visa-exempt nationalities, nationalities eligible for an online visa or visa on arrival, and nationalities that require referral approval. Do not rely on a general regional rule, an old country list, or another traveler experience. Check the current classification for the passport you will use.

The Tanzania eVisa covers travel to the United Republic of Tanzania, including Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar. If a trip combines a mainland safari with Zanzibar, the same national immigration framework applies, although travelers should still check whether any separate Zanzibar travel requirements apply to their itinerary.

Check the separate inbound travel insurance requirement

A visa is only one part of entry preparation. From 1 October 2026, foreign visitors entering Mainland Tanzania may also need the Tanzanian government’s mandatory inbound travel insurance, subject to applicable exemptions. Zanzibar has a separate insurance arrangement. Before departure, check the current rules for your route in our Mandatory Inbound Travel Insurance for Tanzania guideline.

Applying online or obtaining a visa on arrival

Eligible travelers may apply through the official eVisa portal or obtain a visa on arrival at an official entry point. Tanzania Immigration recommends the online application route. An eVisa application is completed online, supporting documents are uploaded, the fee is paid, and the result is issued electronically.

Visa on arrival is available only to eligible nationalities. Travelers who need referral approval, and applicants traveling with refugee or stateless status, should not assume they can receive a visa on arrival. They must follow the advance-approval instructions that apply to their case.

When to apply

The official terms advise ordinary applicants to lodge an application at least ten days before the expected travel date. Travelers in the referral visa category should apply at least two months before travel and wait for approval before beginning their journey.

Referral applicants should provide accurate local host details when available and upload any required invitation or application letter addressed to the Commissioner General of Immigration. Tanzania Immigration advises these applicants not to pay for flights or accommodation before approval; a trip itinerary may be uploaded instead of a paid flight ticket where the application allows it.

Tourist visa categories

Ordinary single-entry visa: This is the normal category for eligible non-American passport holders visiting for tourism, a safari, or a holiday. The official fee is USD 50 and the visa may allow a stay of up to 90 days. It does not authorize employment or business activity.

An ordinary visa holder who visits another East African country may use the same visa to return to Tanzania while it remains valid, subject to immigration clearance.

Multiple-entry visa for United States passport holders: United States citizens visiting for tourism or a holiday must apply for a multiple-entry visa, even when they plan to enter only once. The official fee is USD 100. The visa may be valid for up to 12 months, but each continuous stay is limited to a maximum of 90 days.

Transit visa: This is only for travelers passing through Tanzania on the way to another country. It is valid for no more than seven days, the official fee is USD 30, and proof of onward travel or permission to enter the destination country may be required. A transit visa cannot be used for a safari or holiday.

Business, study, work, residence, diplomatic, and other purposes have different categories and supporting-document requirements. A tourism visa must not be used for work or business.

Documents for a tourism application and arrival

• A passport valid for at least six months with at least one unused visa page.

• A clear copy of the passport biographical page for the online application.

• A completed online application and declaration.

• A return ticket.

• The required visa fee.

• Any additional document requested for your nationality, visa category, travel status, or itinerary.

• Your Visa Grant Notice, if you applied online.

Carry the documents used in your application and keep essential travel records accessible in hand luggage. Requirements can vary according to the information supplied, and an Immigration Officer may request supporting evidence during entry clearance.

After submitting an eVisa application

Review every detail before submission. The official system does not permit changes after an application has been submitted. Track the application through the eVisa portal using the application credentials rather than relying only on email notification.

Do not travel before the application is approved. When approval is granted, check the start and end dates shown on the Visa Grant Notice and travel within that validity period. Approval dates cannot simply be postponed or transferred to a later trip.

Visa fees and refunds

Visa fees are prepaid, non-refundable, and non-transferable. This applies when an application is rejected, the traveler cancels or postpones the trip, a duplicate application or payment is made, or the traveler arrives before an online application is approved and is required to pay again at the entry point. Submit one correct application and track it online before making another payment.

Arrival checklist

• Use the same passport recorded in the visa application.

• Carry the passport, Visa Grant Notice where applicable, return ticket, and relevant supporting documents.

• Confirm that names, passport numbers, travel purpose, and visa dates are correct.

• Answer immigration questions accurately and consistently with the application.

• Check the authorized stay recorded at entry and do not overstay it.

Keep the information current

Visa classifications, documentary requirements, fees, and entry conditions can change without prior notice. This guidance is a preparation aid and does not replace a decision by Tanzania Immigration Services. Before departure, review the current Visa Guidelines and Terms and Conditions at visa.immigration.go.tz. For an unusual nationality, travel document, or purpose of visit, obtain guidance directly from Tanzania Immigration Services or the nearest Tanzanian embassy or consulate.