Tanzania Referral Visa for Persons with Refugee Status

Referral rule

Do travelers with refugee status need referral visa approval?

Persons with refugee status, including holders of Vienna Convention travel documents, are required to obtain referral visa approval before traveling to Tanzania.

For travelers with refugee status, the Tanzania visa policy is not the same as the standard visitor route. Referral cases must be submitted online and should wait for approval before the traveler starts the journey. The traveler or host should also review the official referral-country list from time to time because Tanzania Immigration may update it.

Normal eVisa comparison

How this differs from the normal Tanzania eVisa process

In the normal Tanzania eVisa process, an eligible ordinary visitor completes the online form, uploads documents, pays the visa fee, submits the application, and usually follows the normal online review timeline. A referral visa application is more sensitive because it requires extra clearance before the traveler may start the journey.

For travelers with refugee status, the safest approach is to prepare earlier, upload stronger documents, provide reliable host information and avoid flight or hotel payments before approval.

Visa policy explained

Tanzania visa policy for Persons with Refugee Status compared with other countries

Referral visa versus normal Tanzania visa routes
Traveler group	Tanzania visa policy route	Processing expectation	Booking advice
Travelers with refugee status	Referral visa prior approval.	Apply online at least two months before travel; wait for approval.	Do not book flights or paid reservations before approval.
Normal eVisa-eligible ordinary visitors	Online eVisa application route.	Generally follows normal online processing, except referral cases.	Online approval should be checked before departure.
Visa-free countries	No normal visa application for listed visa-free entry.	Entry formalities handled at arrival.	Carry passport, return ticket, accommodation and purpose evidence.
U.S. passport holders visiting for tourism	Multiple-entry visa rather than ordinary tourist visa.	Standard online route if no referral rule applies.	Budget for the multiple-entry category.
Business, student, volunteer or transit travelers	Purpose-based category may apply.	Documents depend on the activity.	Do not select tourist category for non-tourist travel.

Required preparation

Documents for travelers with refugee status applying for a Tanzania referral visa

Passport and photo

Prepare a valid passport copy and a clear passport-size photo. The passport should match the nationality or travel status used in the application.

Application or invitation letter

Referral applications should include a letter explaining the purpose and duration of the visit. The letter should be addressed to the Commissioner General of Immigration.

Host information

Local host details are important. Include physical address, phone, email and, where relevant, host identity, residence permit or company registration evidence.

Purpose evidence

Tourism, business, family visit, study, conference or volunteer activity should be supported by documents that match the purpose selected in the form.

Itinerary instead of paid ticket

Referral applicants are allowed to upload trip itinerary rather than paid flight tickets because they are advised not to book before approval.

Security Bond and fee

Prepare any official bond form and respective visa fee required for the selected visa category and referral case.

Step by step

How travelers with refugee status should apply for a Tanzania referral visa

Confirm referral category

Check that Persons with Refugee Status remains on the current official Tanzania referral list before planning travel.

Prepare host documents

Collect invitation letters, host address, institution or company documents and local contact details where available.

Prepare personal documents

Have passport copy, passport photo, travel purpose evidence, itinerary and supporting documents ready before opening the form.

Submit online early

Apply at least two months before the intended travel date because referral cases are excluded from the normal processing expectation.

Track the application

Use Application ID, email, security question and security answer to follow progress through the online system.

Travel only after approval

Do not start the journey until the referral visa approval or Visa Grant Notice is issued.

High-risk mistake

Do not use visa on arrival without approval

Travelers with refugee status should not rely on Tanzania visa on arrival unless approval from the Office of the Commissioner General of Immigration has already been obtained. Official guidance says referral-category applicants are not eligible for the on-arrival visa platform without that approval.

Trying to travel first and solve the visa at the airport can create boarding problems, refusal risk and financial loss.

Mainland and Zanzibar

Can travelers with refugee status visit Zanzibar with referral approval?

The Tanzania online visa system supports travel to the United Republic of Tanzania, including Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar. If the trip includes both, the application should show the first destination and full route clearly.

Do not hide Zanzibar, safari, business, study or host details. The documents should tell one consistent travel story.

Purpose examples

How Persons with Refugee Status referral applications differ by purpose

Purpose-based referral visa planning for Persons with Refugee Status
Travel purpose	What to explain	Documents to prepare
Tourism, safari or Zanzibar	Explain route, hotels, safari plan, first destination and departure plan.	Itinerary, hotel/lodge booking draft, tour details, host/operator contacts.
Family or personal visit	Explain host relationship, address, duration and reason for visit.	Individual host letter, host ID or passport, residence permit if host is foreign.
Business or official visit	Explain meeting, event, company role and duration.	Company letter, registration documents, TIN, business license, agenda.
Study, research or volunteer program	Explain program, institution or organization and activity dates.	Admission letter, program letter, institution documents, project evidence.
Transit or onward travel	Explain why entry through Tanzania is needed and where the traveler goes next.	Itinerary, destination-entry documents, onward plan after approval.

Full referral category

All Tanzania referral countries and statuses

Persons with Refugee Status is one item in the wider Tanzania referral visa category. The list below links to every country/status page in this package.

Need to prepare a Tanzania referral visa application for Persons with Refugee Status?

Prepare passport, photo, host information, purpose letter, itinerary and supporting documents before starting. Apply early and wait for approval before travel.

Start Tanzania Visa Application

FAQ

Tanzania Referral Visa for Persons with Refugee Status FAQs

Do travelers with refugee status need referral visa approval for Tanzania?

Yes. Persons with Refugee Status is listed under Tanzania's referral visa category, so travelers with refugee status should apply online early and wait for approval before traveling.

Can travelers with refugee status get a Tanzania visa on arrival?

Referral-category applicants are not eligible for the visa-on-arrival platform unless they already have approval from the Office of the Commissioner General of Immigration.

When should travelers with refugee status apply for a Tanzania referral visa?

Official Tanzania guidance advises referral visa applicants to submit applications online at least two months before the travel date.

Should travelers with refugee status book flights before referral approval?

No. Referral applicants are advised not to book flights or make paid reservations before visa approval is granted.

How is the referral process different from normal eVisa?

The normal eVisa process is generally faster for eligible ordinary applicants, while referral cases require prior approval, stronger host information, earlier submission and no travel before approval.