How to Get Your Tanzania Visa & Entry Requirements Explained

Most nationalities need a visa to enter Tanzania. Your Tanzania visa also includes entry to the islands of Zanzibar.

Many (but not all) nationalities can obtain their visas on arrival to Tanzania (depending on the type of visa required).

This is often the easiest option but will cause a delay at the border or airport as you’ll need to queue up, and the queues at Tanzania airports can be pretty big, so if you are transitting elsewhere (ie. landing in Dar es Salaam in transit to Zanzibar by plane, with a short layover) it may be worth getting your visa ahead of time.

There is also the option to purchase visas on the Tanzania e Visa website and I would suggest applying a couple of weeks in advance in case of any delays.

Some nationalities have to apply in advance for a Referral Visa and this can take up to 2 months to process and other nationalities don’t need visas at all.

You can check the requirements of your own passport/nationality here.

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How To Get Your Tanzania Visa & Entry Requirements Explained

Types of Visas for Tanzania & Costs

Tanzania has 6 types of visa for visitors. Single Entry, Multiple Entry, Transit Visa, Gratis Visa, Student Visa and Business/Work Visa.

Single Entry/Ordinary Visa: Costs $50 and is valid for 90 days. Please be aware that US citizens are not eligible for Ordinary/Single Entry Visas. From what I understand, this visa also now applies to volunteers and people attending conferences etc, as well as tourists. This also includes the Referral Visas. See here for more info.

Multiple Entry: Costs $100 and is valid for 12 months. This is the regular visa issued to Americans on arrival. If you are an American applying online, you MUST select this visa otherwise they will make you pay another $100 at the airport.

Transit Visa: Costs $30. Issued for people transiting through Tanzania for up to 7 days. You cannot take part in any tourist activities and you will need proof of onward travel.

Gratis Visa: This is free and usually given to diplomats or their dependents for up to 2 years.

Student Visa: Costs $250.

Business/Work Visa: Costs $250 and is valid for 90 days. Volunteers used to be required to get a business visa, but I think this has now changed. But please check – just in case!

How To Apply For Your Tanzania Visa in Advance

Tanzania e Visa Online

If you would like to apply for your Tanzanian visa online, you can do so on the official Tanzanian government site here.

You can apply for all visas this way. If applying for a Referral Visa this way, allow at least 2 months.

Applying For a Referral Visa

Alternatively, you can apply via your host, who will apply to the Commissioner-General of Immigration in Tanzania, or the Commissioner of Zanzibar, if visiting Zanzibar. This is said to take around 5 days but could take longer.

You may also be able to get visas at local embassies in Africa.

Visa Application Forms Info

If you are getting your Tanzania visa on arrival, you will be asked to fill in a visa form. These usually require the following information, so have it handy when you arrive (also having a pen is good too to help save time).

Your Name
Address
Date of Birth
Name of Spouse
Occupation
Passport Details (number, validity, etc)
Vessel (ie flight number)
Contact Name, Address & Phone Number of Your Hotel (if you don’t have anywhere booked, just have a name and address of somewhere – they don’t check)
Purpose of Travel (if anything other than ‘tourism’ – see below)

I have been to Tanzania many many times over the years and have never been asked for proof of onward travel whilst purchasing regular tourist visas.

Paying for Your Tanzania Visa

If you are obtaining your visa on arrival, you will need to pay for this in US dollars and the bills should be new (dated 2013 or later), undamaged, unmarked and in good condition.

Have the money ready with your passport and separate from the rest of your cash, so you don’t have to take it all out at the airport.

Entry Requirements for Tanzania

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after you arrive in Tanzania (although I usually make sure there’s longer, just to be on the safe side) and should have at 2 blank pages for each country you intend to visit.

If you are travelling to Tanzania or Zanzibar from Kenya (or after spending more than 12 hours in a Yellow Fever zone), you WILL need a Yellow Fever vaccination certificate. If you are travelling from a none Yellow Fever zone to Tanzania, and then to Zanzibar, you shouldn’t need a Yellow Fever Certificate.

Read this post for more information on Yellow Fever entry requirements. You can also visit the Tanzania Ministry of Health here.

Please be aware that visa guidelines can change and vary from nationality to nationality, so please check the requirements for your passport and country BEFORE you travel!

I hope this helps you understand how to get your visas for Tanzania and that you have an amazing trip!

Looking for info on getting a Kenyan visa? CLICK HERE.

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