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Tanzania Visa Guide: Eligibility, Requirements and Application

Foreign nationals wishing to visit the United Republic of Tanzania, including Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar, must obtain an entry visa unless their passport nationality is exempt. This guide explains eligibility categories, visa types, required documents, fees, application steps and the safest way to prepare before travel.

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Official online route

Apply online before traveling

The Tanzania Immigration Services Electronic Visa Application System allows eligible travelers to apply online to visit the United Republic of Tanzania, including both Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar. Applicants fill the online form, make payment and submit the application for internal review and processing.

The official portal also allows travelers to continue an application using an Application ID and to check visa status after submission. Applying online is recommended because it gives travelers time to correct document issues and avoid long border queues.

Independent service notice

Visit-TZ is not the government portal

Visit-TZ is an independent Tanzania visa support and travel information service. Travelers may apply directly through Tanzania Immigration Services or use Visit-TZ support for guidance, document organization and application preparation.

Final approval, visa issuance, entry clearance and refusal decisions are controlled by the relevant authority and the immigration officer at entry.

Visa eligibility categories

Identify your Tanzania visa category before applying

Visa-exempt

Visa-exempt passport holders

Citizens of listed visa-exempt countries do not need to apply for a visa for eligible short visits. Tanzania Immigration guidance identifies several countries whose nationals are not required to apply for a visa, including EAC member states, SADC member countries except Comoro, and Commonwealth countries except listed exceptions such as the United Kingdom, Canada, Nigeria, India, Pakistan, Australia and New Zealand.

eVisa / arrival route

eVisa or visa on arrival eligible travelers

Many global travelers can apply online before traveling and some may also obtain a visa at official entry points. The official guidance recommends using the online visa application platform. Travelers from countries eligible for both online and arrival visa should still apply online to reduce arrival delays.

USA passport holders

US citizens must use Multiple Visa for tourism

Tanzania Immigration guidance states that all visitors coming for tourism should apply for an Ordinary Visa except American nationals. USA passport holders wishing to visit Tanzania for tourism or holiday must apply for a Multiple Visa, even if they plan a single entry.

Referral visa

Referral visa travelers need special approval

Some nationalities and special cases fall under the Referral Visa category and must apply online and wait for approval before traveling, or obtain approval from the Commissioner General of Immigration. Referral applicants are advised to submit applications at least two months before travel and avoid paying for flights or accommodation before approval.

Entry and document requirements

Core Tanzania visa requirements

Valid passport

Your passport should have at least six months validity and at least one unused visa page before the application is submitted.

Passport photo

Prepare a recent colored passport-style photo on a plain background. Tanzania guidance expects a clear full-face image in JPG or JPEG format.

Return or onward ticket

Visitors must show a return ticket upon arrival. Transit travelers may also need an onward ticket and destination-country visa proof.

Accommodation or host details

Prepare hotel booking, first-night accommodation, local host details or invitation information depending on travel purpose.

Purpose-specific documents

Business, student, multiple-entry, family-visit and referral cases may need letters, institutional proof, relationship proof or approval documents.

Yellow fever check

A yellow fever certificate may be required if arriving from or transiting through a country with yellow fever transmission risk. Travelers should check health rules before departure.

Visa types and fees

Tanzania visa types, costs and validity

Tanzania visa types, standard fees, validity and eligible travelers
Visa type	Standard cost	Validity and rules	Best for / eligible travelers
Ordinary / Single Entry Visa	USD 50	Valid for up to 90 days for tourism, holidays, family visits and similar short private travel.	Most eligible global passport holders, except USA passport holders coming for tourism.
Multiple Entry Visa	USD 100	May be valid up to 12 months, but each consecutive stay cannot exceed 90 days.	Mandatory for USA citizens traveling for tourism or holiday; also used for qualifying recurring travel categories.
Transit Visa	USD 30	Issued for transit through Tanzania for a period not exceeding 7 days.	Travelers passing through Tanzania to another destination, not tourists.
Business Visa	USD 250	Issued for short business or professional assignments for a period not exceeding 90 days, usually single entry.	Short-term professional assignments, meetings, audits, feasibility studies, repair work or lawful business tasks.
Student Visa	USD 50 / 250 / 300 / 550	Validity depends on program length and student category; language-course validity does not exceed six months.	Students, researchers, interns, exchange students, volunteers or admitted prospective students.
Gratis Visa	Gratis	Validity depends on official purpose and approval.	Diplomatic, service, official passport holders or recognized official cases.

Fees and rules can change. Travelers should verify the latest official fee and category before payment or travel.

Application process

Step-by-step Tanzania visa application process

Launch the application

Go to the official Tanzania Electronic Visa Application System and select the option to apply for a new visa, or use Visit-TZ support to prepare your application information.

Fill out the forms

Enter personal details, passport information, nationality, travel purpose, arrival details, accommodation and contact information carefully. Save the Application ID generated by the system.

Upload documents

Attach clear digital copies of the passport bio-data page, passport photo, return ticket and additional documents required for the visa type.

Pay the visa fee

Pay the relevant fee online using a supported card such as Visa or Mastercard. After payment, complete and submit the application.

Track the status

Use your Application ID to check progress through the visa portal. Applicants may also receive updates through the email used in the application.

Print the Visa Grant Notice

After approval, download or print the Visa Grant Notice and travel with it. A grant notice authorizes presentation for entry clearance but final entry is still determined at the port of entry.

Processing time

When should you apply?

Tanzania Immigration guidance says visa applications are processed within ten days except referral visa category. Travelers should apply early enough to handle document problems, payment issues, email delays, interview requests or additional review.

Referral visa travelers should apply at least two months before their travel date and should wait for approval before starting the journey or making non-refundable bookings.

Avoid rejection

Common Tanzania visa mistakes

Wrong visa type or wrong visa category.
USA tourism traveler applying for Ordinary Visa instead of Multiple Visa.
Passport with less than six months validity.
Unclear passport scan or photo upload.
Missing return or onward travel proof.
Referral applicant booking travel before approval.
Trying to use Transit Visa for tourism or Zanzibar holiday.

Mainland and Zanzibar

Tanzania visa and Zanzibar travel

The official Tanzania eVisa portal covers travel to the United Republic of Tanzania, including Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar. If an applicant wants to visit both Mainland and Zanzibar, the official guidance says the traveler should select the first destination when completing the form and can visit both places without needing a new visa.

Visa planning is not the only Zanzibar requirement. Visitors should also check Zanzibar inbound travel insurance, accommodation, airport or ferry transfer details and local entry documents before departure.

Read Zanzibar Travel Insurance Guide

Related guides

Continue Tanzania visa planning

Tanzania eVisa

Main online visa guide for travelers applying before departure.

Tanzania Visa Requirements

Detailed passport, document, photo and travel-purpose requirements.

Tanzania Visa Fees

Compare fee categories and prepare payment before application.

Tanzania Visa Validity

Understand validity, permitted stay, multiple entry and extension planning.

Referral Countries

Check special approval categories and timing for referral visa cases.

Check Tanzania Visa Status

Track application status using your Application ID and email details.

Ready to prepare your Tanzania visa?

Gather your passport, photo, travel dates, return ticket, accommodation details and visa-category documents before starting the application support process.

Start Tanzania Visa Application

FAQ

Tanzania Visa FAQs

Do foreign nationals need a visa for Tanzania?

Foreign nationals wishing to visit the United Republic of Tanzania, including Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar, need an entry visa unless their nationality is exempt from visa requirements.

Can travelers apply for a Tanzania visa online?

Yes. Tanzania Immigration Services provides an online Electronic Visa Application System where eligible travelers fill the online form, pay and submit the application for review.

Do US citizens need a multiple entry visa for Tanzania tourism?

Yes. Tanzania Immigration guidance states that USA passport holders visiting for tourism or holiday must apply for a Multiple Visa, even if they plan a single entry.

What passport validity is required for a Tanzania visa?

Applicants should ensure that their passport has at least six months validity and at least one unused visa page before submitting the application.

How long does Tanzania online visa processing take?

Tanzania Immigration guidance states that visa applications are processed within ten days except referral visa category, and referral applicants are advised to apply at least two months before travel.

Can the Tanzania visa be used for Zanzibar?

The official Tanzania eVisa portal states that travelers can apply online to visit the United Republic of Tanzania, both Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar. If visiting both Mainland and Zanzibar, the applicant selects the first destination and can visit both without needing a new visa.