Tanzania Visa

TANZANIA VISA INFORMATIONS 

If you’re planning to visit Tanzania, you may require a visa depending on your nationality. Here are some general guidelines for obtaining a Tanzania visa:

  1. Visa on Arrival: Many nationalities can obtain a Tanzania visa on arrival at the airport or border entry points. This visa is typically valid for a single-entry stay of up to 90 days. However, it’s crucial to check if your nationality is eligible for a visa on arrival, and the visa requirements may change over time, so it’s best to verify this information with the Tanzanian Embassy or Consulate in your country before traveling.

  2. E-Visa: Tanzania also offers an e-visa system, allowing travelers to apply for a visa online before their trip. The e-visa is available for both single and multiple entries and may have different validity periods. It’s recommended to apply for the e-visa well in advance of your travel dates to avoid any last-minute issues. You can use this link to apply your visa online https://visa.immigration.go.tz/ 

  3. Visa in Advance: Some nationalities may need to apply for a Tanzania visa in advance from the Tanzanian Embassy or Consulate in their home country. The application process and requirements may vary, so make sure to check the specific guidelines for your nationality.

  4. Visa Extensions: If you wish to stay in Tanzania beyond the initial visa validity period, you can apply for a visa extension at the Immigration Office in Tanzania. Extensions are usually granted for a fee, but it’s essential to apply before your current visa expires to avoid any penalties.

Before traveling to Tanzania, always check the latest visa requirements and regulations from official sources such as the Tanzanian Embassy or Consulate in your country or the Tanzanian Immigration Department’s official website.

Please note that visa requirements and policies are subject to change, and it’s essential to verify the latest information to ensure a smooth and hassle-free entry into Tanzania.

TYPE OF VISAS

There are six types of visas accepted by Tanzania

1. ORDINARY VISA (SINGLE ENTRY VISA)

This visa is granted to foreign nationals for visits such as tourism, leisure, holidays, conferences, humanitarian and charity activities, family visits, health treatment, or any other purpose as determined by the issuing authority. Its validity does not exceed 90 days for a single entry.

All visitors coming to Tanzania for tourist purposes are required to apply for this visa, except USA nationals who are required to apply for a multiple visa under a bilateral agreement between the two countries.

2. BUSINESS VISA

A business visa may be issued for a period not exceeding 90 days to foreign nationals wishing to enter the United Republic of Tanzania for the following purposes:

– Conducting special assignments such as fixing/repairing machines or running short-term training, etc.
– Conducting short-term professional roles such as auditing accounts, making feasibility studies, establishing professionals and business contacts, making arrangements for investments during the start-up period, etc.
– Performing any other short-term lawful business-related task recognized by the laws of the country and as determined by the issuing authority.

IMPORTANT NOTES FOR BUSINESS VISA:

– The maximum validity for a business visa is 90 days.
– Business visas are issued on a single entry basis and cannot be used to re-enter the country after the holder leaves.
– The business visa should not be taken as a substitute for a residence permit. If for any reason the activity or assignment for which the guest comes will exceed 3 months, then the guest is advised to obtain a residence permit instead of a business visa.

3. MULTIPLE ENTRY VISA

American nationals can obtain Multiple Visas for various purposes such as holiday/tourism, visiting friends and relatives, or attending a conference. Even for a single entry, USA passport holders visiting Tanzania for tourism or holiday MUST apply for a Multiple Visa.

For business purposes, American nationals are advised to refer to the Business Visa section.

Directors of Companies registered in Tanzania who do not reside in the country, Persons engaged in Bilateral Meetings, Spouses married to Tanzanians/Residents, Government Consultants, Representatives of International NGOs, and other eligible persons as determined by the Commissioner General of Immigration or Commissioner of Immigration Zanzibar can also apply for a Multiple Visa.

Non-Resident Directors MUST upload proof demonstrating their directorship in a Company registered in Tanzania. The required proof is a document from BRELA (the Competent Authority responsible for the registration of companies in Tanzania) called BRELA SEARCH. Applicants under the umbrella of projects or bilateral meetings with Government Ministries or Institutions should obtain a covering letter from the respective entities for their applications.

Applicants for Multiple Visas under the family visit category are required to upload proof of relationships with their family members, such as a certificate of marriage or a birth certificate.

The Multiple Visa can have a maximum validity of 12 months with a maximum stay duration of three months. This means that the holder of a Multiple Visa cannot stay in the country for twelve consecutive months, but can stay for a maximum of three months in each visit.

Please note:
Applicants who are not American citizens and wish to apply for Multiple Visas MUST ensure they possess and upload the appropriate documents for the respective category of Multiple visas as listed in the Visa Portal.
Applicants from countries falling under referral Visa should not apply for Multiple Visas.

4. TRANSIT VISA

This Visa may be issued to foreign nationals for a transit period not exceeding seven days. The applicant may be required to provide proof of a Visa from the destination country and/or an onward ticket.

Please note:
Transit Visa is strictly for travelers passing through Tanzania to another country and cannot be used for tourism or other purposes.

5. GRATIS VISA

This visa can be issued to holders of diplomatic, service, or official passports or travel documents from recognized international organizations who are on official duty, as well as their dependents. It can also be issued to holders of ordinary passports or travel documents as directed by the Commissioner General of Immigration and the Commissioner of Immigration Zanzibar.
Please note that applicants for Gratis Visa who wish to submit their applications online must hold Diplomatic Passports, and are required to upload an invitation letter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, a biographic data page, and a cover page or any page which indicates that the attached passport is diplomatic.

6. STUDENT VISA

A student visa is granted to foreign nationals for academic purposes such as research, internships, volunteering, exchange programs, and prospective students who have obtained admission to registered institutions in Tanzania. The validity of this Visa is categorized into two:
1. For applicants with academic programs not exceeding 90 days, the visa fee is 50 USD.
2. For those with academic programs exceeding 90 days, the visa fee is 250 USD.
Applicants from countries that do not require visas to enter Tanzania for academic purposes will have to apply for a Student Pass.
Please note that the validity of the visa for applicants attending language courses will not exceed six months.

There are some countries whose nationals cannot obtain visas on arrival and fall under the Referral Visa Category. The list of these countries is available on our website in the Visa Information Section and may be reviewed from time to time.

PROCEDURE FOR REFERRAL VISA CATEGORY:

Applicants from this category MUST submit their visa applications online and wait for approval before starting their journey. These applicants are further advised to submit their applications at least 1 month before their travel date. It is also recommended to have an invitation letter or a request letter for a visa from the host, which should be uploaded in the Online Visa Application and NOT sent by email as a separate document. The letter may be uploaded separately or merged with the trip itinerary and uploaded in the return ticket field.

If the visa is approved, the holder MUST have the actual return ticket upon arrival. If the host wishes to write a request letter to support the guest’s application, the letter should be addressed to the Commissioner General of Immigration for visitors to mainland Tanzania, or the Commissioner of Immigration, Zanzibar, for those visiting Zanzibar. If the guest wishes to visit both, the address should regard the first destination.
Applicants under the Referral Visa Category are not advised to pay for flight tickets or make payments for any reservations in Tanzania before they get approval for their visa. They are also not advised to apply for Multiple Visas.

STATELESS AND REFUGEES:
Stateless persons and refugees holding Vienna Convention documents also fall under the Referral Visa category and are required to observe the Referral Visa Category procedure as indicated above.

LIST OF COUNTRIES WHOSE NATIONALS REQUIRE REFERRAL VISA

  • Afghanistan
  • Azerbaijan
  • Bangladesh
  • Chad
  • Djibouti
  • Eritrea
  • Equatorial Guinea
  • Iran
  • Iraq
  • Kazakhstan
  • Republic
  • Kyrgyz Republic (Kyrgyzstan)
  • Lebanon
  • Mali
  • Mauritania
  • Niger
  • Nigeria
  • Pakistan
  • Palestine
  • Senegal
  • Somalia
  • Sri Lanka
  • Sierra Leone
  • Syria
  • Tajikistan
  • Turkmenistan
  • Uzbekistan
  • Yemen
  • Stateless persons or persons with refugee status

LIST OF COUNTRIES WHOSE NATIONALS DO NOT REQUIRE VISA TO ENTER THE UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA.

  • Antigua & Barbuda
  • Anguilla
  • Ashmore & Cartia
  • Islands
  • Bahamas
  • Barbados
  • Bermuda
  • Belize
  • Brunei
  • British Virgin Islands
  • British Indian Ocean Territory
  • Botswana
  • Burundi
  • Cyprus
  • Cayman Islands
  • Channel Islands
  • Cocos Islands
  • Cook Islands
  • Congo, Democratic Republic (Zaire)
  • Christmas Islands
  • Dominica (Commonwealth of Dominica)
  • Falkland Islands
  • Gambia
  • Ghana
  • Gibraltar
  • Grenada
  • Guernsey
  • Guyana
  • Heard Island
  • Hong Kong
  • Isle of Man
  • Jamaica
  • Jersey
  • Kenya
  • Kiribati
  • Lesotho
  • Malawi
  • Montserrat
  • Malaysia
  • Madagascar
  • Malta
  • Mauritius
  • Macao
  • Mozambique
  • Nauru
  • Niue Island
  • Norfolk Island
  • Namibia
  • Papua new Guinea
  • Rwanda
  • Romania
  • Samoa
  • Seychelles
  • Singapore
  • Swaziland
  • Solomon Island
  • St. Kitts & Nevis
  • St. Lucia
  • St. Vicent
  • St. Helena
  • South Africa
  • South Sudan
  • Trinidad & Tobago
  • Turks & Caicos
  • Tokelau
  • Tonga
  • Tuvalu
  • Vanuatu
  • Uganda
  • Zambia
  • Zimbabwe

Tanzania Visa FAQ

Yes, most travelers need a visa to enter Tanzania. Check with our website (Tanzania Visa Page) we listed all countries whose nationals do not require visa to enter the United Republic of Tanzania.

You can apply online through the Tanzania Immigration Department’s website https://visa.immigration.go.tz/ or visit a Tanzanian embassy or consulate.

Tourist visas, business visas, and transit visas are the most common. There are also student and volunteer visas for specific purposes.

Online applications usually take about 10 business days. Embassy or consulate applications may take longer.

The fee varies based on the type of visa and your nationality. Tourist visas generally cost between $50 and $100 for USA citizens. 

Yes, some nationalities can get a visa on arrival. However, it’s safer to apply in advance to avoid any issues.

The validity of a Tanzania visa depends on the type of visa you apply for. Single-entry visas are valid for 90 days from the date of issue, while multiple-entry visas are valid for 1 year from the date of issue. However, it is important to note that the validity of your visa may be shortened if you do not enter Tanzania within the validity period.

While vaccinations are not required for the visa application, Tanzania requires a yellow fever vaccination if you’re coming from or transiting through a yellow fever-endemic country.

Yes, you can extend your stay in Tanzania. However, you will need to apply for an extension before your current visa expires. The application process can be completed online or at a Tanzanian embassy or consulate. You will need to provide your passport, visa, proof of onward travel, and a fee. The extension will typically be valid for 30 days.

No, travel insurance is not a mandatory requirement for a Tanzania visa. However, it is always advisable to have travel insurance when travelling to any foreign country, as it can provide you with peace of mind and cover you in the event of any unforeseen circumstances. Travel insurance can help to cover costs such as medical expenses, lost or stolen luggage, and cancelled flights.

The following documents are required to apply for a Tanzania visa:
• A valid passport with at least six months of validity beyond your intended stay.
• A completed visa application form.
• One passport-sized photo.
• A copy of your round-trip air ticket or travel itinerary.
• Proof of sufficient funds to cover your stay in Tanzania.
• A letter of invitation from a resident of Tanzania or a tour operator.
• A visa fee.

No, a tourist visa doesn’t allow you to work. You’d need a work permit and a business or work visa to be employed in Tanzania.

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