What Are the Tanzania Visa Requirements?
Tanzania visa requirements are simple for most visitors. In fact, the process is much easier than many people expect. Most travellers just need to apply online, pay a fee of USD 50, and show up at the airport ready to go.
So, what exactly do you need? First, a valid passport. Second, a completed online visa application. Third, a recent passport photo, proof that you plan to leave Tanzania, and the visa fee. That is it for most people. The good news is that your Tanzania visa covers both the mainland and Zanzibar – you do not need to apply separately for Zanzibar.
However, there are a few things to know. For example, US citizens must apply for a Multiple Entry Visa at USD 100 instead of the standard tourist visa. And visitors from certain countries need special approval before their visa is issued. Because of this, it is important to check which category you fall into before you book your flights.
In this guide, you will find everything you need visa types, fees, the documents required, a step-by-step application guide, and a full comparison with Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and the East Africa Tourist Visa.
Do I Need a Visa to Enter Tanzania?
The answer depends on where you are from. There are three main categories, and it is important to know which one applies to you before you travel.
Category 1: Countries That Do Not Need a Visa
First, some good news. Citizens of certain countries can enter Tanzania without any visa at all. These include most East African Community member states and a number of Caribbean and Asian countries. As of 2026, visa-free entry applies to nationals from:
- Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi, all EAC member states
- Malaysia and Singapore
- Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica, St. Kitts & Nevis, Trinidad and Tobago, and Turks and Caicos
- Hong Kong and Macao
Always check the official Tanzania Immigration website before you travel — visa exemptions can change at any time.
| ⚠️ Even Visa-Free Travellers Can Be Turned Away Even if your country does not need a visa, the immigration officer at the border can still refuse you entry. To avoid this, always carry proof of where you are staying, a return ticket, and evidence that you have enough money for your trip. |
Category 2: Countries That Can Get a Visa on Arrival
Most nationalities can get a visa when they land in Tanzania. This is called a visa on arrival, and it is available at all major airports and most land border crossings. However, even though this option exists, it is better to apply online before you travel. Why? Because the online process is faster at the airport, avoids long queues, and means you have your visa confirmed before you leave home.
Category 3: Countries That Need a Referral Visa
Finally, some nationalities need special permission called a Referral Visa, before their application can be approved. This means their visa goes through extra checks by Tanzania’s Immigration Commissioner. As a result, the process can take 2 to 6 weeks. If this applies to you, do not book your flights until your visa is approved.
To find out if your nationality is in the referral visa category, visit the official Tanzania Immigration website at www.immigration.go.tz.
What Visa Types Are Available and How Much Do They Cost?
Tanzania offers several different visa types depending on why you are visiting and how long you plan to stay. Below is a clear breakdown of all the options and their fees for 2026:
| Visa Type | Who It Applies To | Fee | How Long It Lasts |
| Tourist Visa – Single Entry | Most nationalities | USD 50 | Up to 90 days |
| Tourist Visa – Multiple Entry | USA nationals (required) | USD 100 | 12 months (max 90 days per stay) |
| Multiple Entry Visa | Other nationalities (optional) | USD 100 | 12 months (max 90 days per stay) |
| Business Visa | All nationalities | USD 250 | Up to 90 days |
| Transit Visa | Passing through Tanzania | USD 30 | Up to 7 days |
| Student Visa – Short Stay | All nationalities | USD 50 | Up to 90 days |
| Student Visa – Long Stay | All nationalities | USD 250–550 | Over 90 days |
| Gratis Visa | Diplomatic passport holders | Free | Varies |
| 🇺🇸 Special Rule for US Citizens American passport holders must apply for a Multiple Entry Visa for tourism — not the standard single-entry tourist visa. The fee is USD 100. Although the visa lasts 12 months, each individual stay in Tanzania cannot be longer than 90 days. |
| 🇮🇪 Note for Irish Citizens Irish nationals pay USD 100 for a standard tourist visa — higher than the USD 50 rate that most other European nationalities pay. Always confirm the fee for your nationality at the time of application. |
| 🌍 Zanzibar Travel Insurance A Separate Requirement If you are visiting Zanzibar, you must also buy mandatory travel insurance through the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation. This is separate from your visa. Apply at visitzanzibar.go.tz before you travel you can also do it on arrival, but doing it early saves time. |
What Documents Do You Need for a Tanzania Visa?
Whether you apply online or on arrival, you will need to have these documents ready. Preparing them in advance makes the whole process much smoother:
| Valid passport | Must be valid for at least 6 months after your arrival date. Needs at least 2 blank pages. |
| Passport-size photo | Clear colour photo. White background. Full face, eyes open. JPG format. Max 500KB. Size: 45mm x 35mm. |
| Return or onward ticket | Proof that you will leave Tanzania. A confirmed booking is enough. |
| Proof of accommodation | A hotel booking or a letter from someone you are staying with in Tanzania. |
| Travel itinerary | A simple plan of where you are going and what you will do in Tanzania. |
| Proof of funds | A bank statement or credit card showing you can pay for your trip. |
| Yellow fever certificate | Required only if you are travelling from a country where yellow fever is common. |
| Zanzibar travel insurance | Only for visitors to Zanzibar. Apply at Zanzibar Insurance Corporation before you travel. |
For a business visa, you will also need a letter from your employer explaining why you are visiting Tanzania, plus any supporting documents such as conference invitations or client letters.
How Do You Apply for a Tanzania eVisa?
The easiest and safest way to get your Tanzania visa is through the official eVisa portal online. It is straightforward, and the whole process takes just a few minutes. Here is exactly how to do it, step by step:
| 1 | Go to the Official Portal Visit eservices.immigration.go.tz, this is the only official Tanzania eVisa website. Create a free account and log in before you start your application. |
| 2 | Choose Your Visa Type Select the right visa type based on your nationality and the reason for your visit. Most tourists choose the Ordinary (Single Entry) visa. US citizens must choose the Multiple Entry visa. |
| 3 | Fill In Your Details Enter your personal details exactly as they appear in your passport. Double-check everything — especially your name, passport number, and date of birth. Even a small mistake can cause problems at the border. |
| 4 | Upload Your Documents Upload a clear scan of your passport’s photo page and a recent passport-size photo. Make sure your files are in JPG or PDF format and that they are sharp and easy to read — blurry files are a common reason for delays. |
| 5 | Pay the Fee Online Pay your visa fee using a valid credit or debit card. Remember — fees are non-refundable once you submit your application, even if it is rejected. |
| 6 | Wait for Approval Processing normally takes 2 to 7 business days. During busy travel periods like July to October and December to January, it can take up to 10 business days. Because of this, apply at least 2 to 4 weeks before your travel date. |
| 7 | Download, Print and Go Once your eVisa is approved, download it and print a copy. On arrival, show the printed copy to the immigration officer along with your passport. Also save a digital copy on your phone as a backup — just in case. |
| ⚠️ Watch Out for Fake Websites Many unofficial websites charge extra fees on top of the real visa cost. Moreover, they do not guarantee approval. Always use the official portal: eservices.immigration.go.tz. Tanzania Immigration does not authorise any third-party agents to apply on your behalf. |
Can You Get a Tanzania Visa on Arrival?
Yes, and it is available at all major entry points in Tanzania. However, even though it is available, applying online in advance is always the better option. Not only is it faster at the airport, but it also gives you certainty before you leave home.
That said, if you choose to get your visa on arrival, here are the entry points where it is available:
- Julius Nyerere International Airport, Dar es Salaam
- Kilimanjaro International Airport, near Arusha and Moshi
- Abeid Amani Karume International Airport, Zanzibar
- Major land borders, including Namanga (Kenya), Mutukula (Uganda), and Tunduma (Zambia)
One important thing to remember: bring USD cash if you plan to pay on arrival. Card payment is not always reliable at land border crossings. Also, queues at busy airports can be long, especially during peak safari season.
How Long Can You Stay in Tanzania on a Tourist Visa?
A standard single-entry tourist visa allows you to stay in Tanzania for up to 90 days from the date you enter. A multiple-entry visa, on the other hand, is valid for 12 months, but even with this visa, each individual stay cannot be longer than 90 days.
What if you want to stay longer? In that case, you can apply for a visa extension before your current visa runs out. Extensions are handled at immigration offices in Dar es Salaam or Zanzibar. The fee is usually around USD 50, though the exact amount depends on your situation.
| 🚨 Do Not Overstay Your Visa Overstaying is a serious issue. It can lead to fines, detention, and problems re-entering Tanzania in the future. Therefore, always apply for an extension before your visa expires — never after. |
There is also a useful benefit worth knowing: if you travel to another East African country — such as Kenya or Uganda — during your trip and your Tanzania visa is still valid, you can use the same visa to re-enter Tanzania without paying again.
Do You Need a Separate Visa for Zanzibar?
No, and this is one of the most common questions travellers ask. Although Zanzibar is a semi-autonomous region, it uses the same visa system as mainland Tanzania. So, your standard Tanzania eVisa covers both the mainland and Zanzibar. There is no separate Zanzibar visa to apply for.
However, as mentioned earlier, Zanzibar does have one extra requirement: mandatory travel insurance. All visitors must buy this through the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation at visitzanzibar.go.tz before arrival. It only takes a few minutes to complete, but do it a few days before your trip to be safe.
If you are flying directly to Zanzibar from outside Tanzania — rather than through Dar es Salaam — you will still go through the standard Tanzania immigration process at Zanzibar’s international airport.
How Does Tanzania Compare to Other East African Countries for Visas?
If you are planning a trip that covers more than one East African country for example, a Tanzania safari followed by a Kenya safari, it helps to understand how the visa rules differ. Here is a clear comparison to help you plan:
| Country | How to Apply | Fee | Max Stay | eVisa? | EATV Covered? |
| Tanzania | eVisa or on arrival | USD 50 / USD 100 (USA) | 90 days | Yes | No — separate visa needed |
| Kenya | eVisa (eCitizen portal) | USD 50 | 90 days | Yes | Yes — via EATV (USD 100) |
| Uganda | eVisa or on arrival | USD 50 | 90 days | Yes | Yes — via EATV (USD 100) |
| Rwanda | Visa-free for most / eVisa | USD 50 (if required) | 30–90 days | Yes | Yes — via EATV (USD 100) |
| Zanzibar | Same as Tanzania visa | Included in Tanzania visa | Same | Yes | No — separate visa needed |
What Is the East Africa Tourist Visa – and Does It Cover Tanzania?
The East Africa Tourist Visa, also known as the EATV is a single visa that lets you travel between Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda without applying for three separate visas. It costs USD 100, lasts 90 days, and allows multiple entries across those three countries.
However, here is something very important: Tanzania is NOT part of the East Africa Tourist Visa. This surprises many travelers. If your trip includes Tanzania for example, the Serengeti or Zanzibar you will need a separate Tanzania eVisa on top of your EATV.
| ✈️ Combining Tanzania with Kenya, Uganda or Rwanda? Apply for the East Africa Tourist Visa (USD 100) for those three countries AND a separate Tanzania eVisa (USD 50 or USD 100) for Tanzania. Never assume the EATV covers Tanzania – it does not. |
How Do You Apply for the East Africa Tourist Visa?
The EATV must be applied through the immigration portal of whichever country you enter first. This rule is very important — if you get it wrong, you may be refused entry. Here is where to apply depending on where your journey starts:
- Entering Kenya first: apply at ecitizen.go.ke
- Entering Uganda first: apply at visas.immigration.go.ug
- Entering Rwanda first: apply at irembo.gov.rw
Also remember: the EATV cannot be extended, and it becomes invalid if you travel outside those three countries during your trip, for instance, if you enter Tanzania. For that reason, plan your route carefully before you apply.
Kenya Visa Requirements – Quick Summary
Most visitors to Kenya apply for an eVisa through the eCitizen portal at ecitizen.go.ke before they travel. The tourist visa costs USD 50 and is valid for 90 days. Furthermore, Kenya is part of the East Africa Tourist Visa — so if you are visiting Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda together, one EATV at USD 100 covers all three. Currently, Kenya does not offer visa on arrival for most nationalities, so always apply online in advance.
Uganda Visa Requirements – Quick Summary
Similarly, Uganda requires most visitors to apply for an eVisa in advance via visas.immigration.go.ug. The tourist visa fee is USD 50 and is valid for 90 days. Uganda is also covered by the EATV for multi-country trips. Additionally, yellow fever vaccination is mandatory for entry into Uganda — make sure your vaccination card is up to date.
Rwanda Visa Requirements – Quick Summary
Rwanda has one of the most open entry policies in Africa. In fact, visitors from the USA, UK, EU countries and Australia can enter Rwanda visa-free for stays of up to 30 to 90 days. For those who do need a visa, it can be applied for online at irembo.gov.rw or obtained on arrival. Rwanda is part of the EATV. One extra note: if you plan to trek gorillas in Rwanda’s national parks, a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours before the trek is required.
Top Tips for a Smooth Tanzania Visa Application
Before you apply, keep these important tips in mind. They will save you time, money and stress:
- Apply at least 2 to 4 weeks before your departure — especially during busy travel periods like July to October.
- Only use the official Tanzania eVisa portal at eservices.immigration.go.tz — never use unofficial sites that charge extra.
- Check that your passport is valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned arrival date before you apply.
- Make sure your name and passport number on the application exactly match your passport — even a small typo can cause problems at the border.
- Always print a copy of your eVisa approval to show at immigration — do not rely on your phone screen alone, especially at remote land border crossings.
- If Zanzibar is part of your trip, buy travel insurance at visitzanzibar.go.tz before you arrive.
- Carry proof of yellow fever vaccination if you are travelling from a yellow fever-affected country.
- Bring USD cash as a backup if you plan to pay for a visa on arrival at a land border.
- If your trip covers Tanzania plus other East African countries, remember: the EATV does not cover Tanzania. You need a separate visa.
