Tanzania Tourist Visa: A Simple Guide

Most travelers need a visa to enter Tanzania. The country offers two visa options: an e-visa and a visa on arrival. Previously, obtaining a tourist visa involved applying at a Tanzanian consulate (which could be a lengthy and risky process).

1. Getting a Visa Online

An eVisa is a digital visa that you get online instead of having to go to an embassy or consulate. Tanzania offers an easy and convenient Electronic Visa (eVisa) option for tourists. The eVisa costs $50 USD for most nationalities, with a fee of $100 USD for American citizens.  Citizens of some countries (including several neighboring African nations) are exempt from visa requirements.

Citizens of certain countries require a referred visa to enter Tanzania, even for tourism purposes. These applications are more complex and cannot be processed upon arrival. Processing times can exceed 60 days, so it’s crucial to apply early. Tanzania Immigration recommends against booking flights until your referred visa is approved.

The countries Requiring Referred Visas include:

• Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Chad, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Equatorial Guinea, Iran, Iraq, Kazakhstan Republic, Kyrgyzstan Republic, Lebanon, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria,

• Pakistan, Palestine, Senegal, Somalia, Sri Lanka. Somaliland, Sierra Leone, Syria, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Yemen, and Stateless persons or persons with refugee status

Important Notes:

• For US Citizens:

When applying for your Tanzanian eVisa, select “Multiple Entry Visa” as the visa type. This is mandatory for US citizens traveling to Tanzania for tourism purposes.  Then, choose “Holiday and Leisure” as your reason for travel. For Other Nationals, consider whether a single-entry or multiple-entry tourist visa best suits your travel plans.

• Processing Time:

Allow up to 10 days for your eVisa application to be processed.  Make sure to apply well in advance of your trip to ensure you have enough time.

• Early Application:

Do not apply for your eVisa more than three months before your planned travel dates.

• Confirmation and Arrival:

Print all confirmation pages and keep them safe. Upon arrival in Tanzania (typically at Kilimanjaro International Airport or Julius Nyerere International Airport), you will receive a physical visa sticker in your passport as confirmation.

• Getting a Visa on Arrival

While the e-visa is convenient, it’s not the only way to get into the country. If you find the e-visa process too complicated or have technical issues, don’t worry! You can still get a visa upon arrival. If you’re traveling to Tanzania on short notice, you can still obtain a visa upon arrival at the airport.

Many nationalities are eligible for a visa on arrival, as long as they are not from a country that requires a referred visa. A visa on arrival costs USD 50 in cash for most nationalities.  US citizens must pay USD 100 for a tourist visa.  Please note that other forms of payment are not accepted.

Passport and Visa Validity

Your passport must be valid for at least six months after your planned departure date from Tanzania.  For example, if your passport expires in July 2024, you need to leave Tanzania no later than January 2025.

If your passport expires within the next six months, it’s a good idea to renew it before applying for your e-visa.  Your passport number may change during the renewal process, and a new passport number could invalidate your Tanzanian visa. A single-entry visa for Tanzania is valid for 90 days, while a multiple-entry visa is valid for one year. The e-visa is also valid for 90 days.