VISA TO TANZANIA – REQUIREMENTS

 

VISA TO TANZANIA – REQUIREMENTS

1) Do you need a visa?

  • Most foreign nationals do need a visa to enter Tanzania (mainland and Zanzibar), except nationals of some visa-exempt countries (including many EAC/East African Community members – Kenya, Seychelles and Uganda and a list published by Immigration). Check the official exemption list for your nationality. Immigration Tanzania+1
 

2) Official e-Visa / online application

Applying online

  • Faster processing and an approval notice you can present on arrival. Many authorities strongly recommend the e-Visa rather than relying on visa-on-arrival. Tanzania eVisa+1
 

3) Types of visas (common ones) & typical validity / fees

(Tanzania Immigration issues several visa categories — tourist, ordinary/single entry, transit, work, residence, referral, official, etc.)

  • Tourist / Visitor visa: tourist visas are commonly issued as multiple-entry one-year visas for many nationalities (U.S. example: one-year multiple entries for about USD 100) — fees and available validity vary by nationality and visa type. Always confirm the fee shown at the e-Visa site during application. Immigration Tanzania+1
  • Ordinary (single-entry) visa: typically up to 3 months for tourism/study/health; documentation differs. Immigration Tanzania
  • Referral / restricted nationals: nationals of some countries require a referral and must apply earlier (check Immigration site list). Immigration Tanzania

Important: fees and exact visa categories/validities change and sometimes differ by nationality — use the official e-Visa portal when you fill your application to see the correct fee and options. Tanzania eVisa+1

 

4) Visa-on-arrival — current practical status

  • Historically Tanzania allowed visa-on-arrival at airports and entry points. Official Tanzania sources still describe arrival processing at immigration. Because of occasional changes, the safest route is to obtain an e-Visa before travel. If you plan to rely on visa-on-arrival, confirm with your nearest Tanzania embassy/consulate or check the official e-Visa page immediately before travel. Immigration Tanzania+2Tanzania Embassy Japan+2
 

5) What you’ll normally need (documents checklist)

When applying online or arriving with a visa, prepare these (official guidance + common requirements):

  • Passport valid for at least 6 months from date of entry and with at least one blank page. Immigration Tanzania+1
  • Completed e-Visa application form (online). Tanzania eVisa
  • Passport-style photo (digital upload for e-Visa; 1 physical photo sometimes requested). Immigration Tanzania
  • Proof of onward / return ticket or itinerary. Immigration Tanzania
  • Proof of accommodation (hotel booking) or invitation letter from host (for business/visitor visas). Immigration Tanzania+1
  • Proof of sufficient funds (sometimes requested). Immigration Tanzania
  • Relevant supporting docs for special visas (work contracts, business registration/letter for business visas, official Note Verbale for diplomatic missions, etc.). Immigration Tanzania+1

 

6) Health / vaccination requirements

  • Yellow fever: Tanzania requires valid yellow-fever vaccination certificate from travellers arriving from or transiting through countries with a risk of yellow fever transmission (this applies to travellers aged 1 year+ in many official sources). Check WHO / Tanzania Ministry of Health / CDC guidance for whether your route triggers the requirement. Ministry of Health Tanzania+2CDC+2
  • Other vaccinations / health advice: check your national travel-health service (CDC/TravelHealthPro/WHO) for recommended vaccines (e.g., routine vaccines, malaria prevention advice). CDC+1
 

7) Nationals exempt from visas / special cases

  • Tanzania publishes an official list of nationals who do not require a visa. Several countries (including many in the Commonwealth and the East African Community) are included — always check the official list for up-to-date details. Nationals of certain countries may also require referral clearance. Immigration Tanzania+1
 

8) Step-by-step: apply for an e-Visa (practical)

  1. Go to the official e-Visa portal: https://visa.immigration.go.tz/ and click Start / Apply. Tanzania eVisa
  2. Create an application (you’ll receive an Application ID). Upload passport photo page image, passport photo, supporting docs (invitation, hotel, return ticket) as required. Tanzania eVisa+1
  3. Pay the visa fee online (card / payment methods shown on portal). Fees shown depend on visa type and nationality. Tanzania eVisa
  4. Wait for the grant/approval notice by email. Print/save the grant notice and present it (plus passport) at immigration on arrival. Tanzania eVisa+1
 

9) Practical tips & cautions

  • Apply early (at least a few days before travel; referral visas require much more lead time). Immigration Tanzania
  • Carry printed copies of e-Visa grant notice, hotel booking, return ticket, and vaccination certificate (if applicable). Tanzania eVisa+1
  • If you plan to visit Zanzibar, note there are sometimes separate entry formalities (e.g., insurance requirements on arrival for some visitors); check airline and Zanzibari entry guidance. (Tanzanian/Zanzibar rules are both administered by national immigration). Smartraveller+1
  • Embassy confirmation: if in doubt (particularly for visa-on-arrival or referral nationals), contact the nearest Tanzania embassy/consulate for your country. Official embassy sites will confirm the latest practice. de.tzembassy.go.tz+1
 

10) Official links (quick)