Tanzania Visa Guide

Do You Need a Visa for Tanzania?

It depends on your nationality. Tanzania Immigration maintains an official list of nationalities whose citizens do not require a visa, as well as countries whose citizens can obtain a visa online or on arrival.

Because these lists can change, do not rely on a general statement such as "all tourists need a visa." Instead, check the current requirements for the passport you will actually use to enter Tanzania.

What Type of Visa Do Tourists Usually Need?

For most travelers visiting Tanzania for a holiday or safari, the relevant category is the Ordinary Visa, generally a single-entry tourist visa. Tanzania Immigration currently lists the Ordinary Visa at US$50, valid for up to 90 days.

There is an important exception for United States passport holders: visitors traveling to Tanzania for tourism are required to apply for a Multiple Entry Visa rather than the Ordinary Visa. The current listed fee is US$100, with validity of up to 12 months, although each visit may be limited to 90 consecutive days.

Visa requirements and fees can change, so always confirm the current information before applying.

Tanzania eVisa: The Online Option

Tanzania Immigration provides an official online visa application system. The process generally involves:

1. Starting an application online.
2. Providing your passport and personal information.
3. Uploading the required photograph and supporting documents.
4. Paying the applicable visa fee.
5. Submitting the application.
6. Tracking the application using your application details.
7. Receiving the visa notification by email if approved.

Tanzania Immigration strongly advises applicants to use the official government visa platform rather than third-party websites: visa.immigration.go.tz.

How Early Should You Apply?

Tanzania Immigration states that visa applications are generally processed within 10 days, except for referral visa cases. Its current terms advise applicants to lodge applications at least 10 days before the expected travel date, while referral cases are advised to apply at least two months in advance.

For a safari, it is sensible not to leave the application until the last moment. Allow enough time to complete the application carefully, correct any issues, receive the visa notification and confirm your travel documents before departure.

If your nationality falls under the referral category, additional processing requirements apply and you should plan significantly earlier.

What Documents Do You Need?

For a standard tourist visa application, Tanzania Immigration currently requires supporting information including:

• A valid passport
• A passport photograph
• Return or onward ticket
• Completed visa application
• Applicable visa fee

Your passport should have at least six months of validity and at least one unused visa page when you submit the application. Make sure the information on your application matches your passport and travel documents exactly — small differences in names, passport numbers or travel information can create unnecessary problems.

Can You Get a Tanzania Visa on Arrival?

Some travelers can. Tanzania Immigration states there are two main ways of obtaining a visa: applying online in advance or obtaining a visa on arrival at an official entry point. However, visa-on-arrival eligibility depends on nationality.

Some nationalities can use both the online and arrival options, while others must obtain approval in advance. Applicants in the referral category cannot simply rely on obtaining a visa on arrival.

Do not assume that because another traveler obtained a visa on arrival, you will automatically be eligible for the same process.

What Is a Referral Visa?

Some nationalities fall under Tanzania's Referral Visa category. Travelers in this category have additional requirements and must obtain approval before traveling. Tanzania Immigration advises applicants in this category to apply well in advance — currently at least two months before travel.

If you are unsure whether your nationality falls under this category, check the official Tanzania Immigration information before booking around a visa assumption.

Can You Visit Both Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar With One Visa?

Yes. If your safari includes both Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar, Tanzania Immigration states that you do not need a separate Tanzanian visa for Zanzibar.

When completing your application, indicate your first destination as requested by the visa system. The same Tanzanian visa allows you to visit both Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar — particularly useful for travelers planning a safari followed by a Zanzibar beach stay.

What About Children?

Every passport holder needs their own visa application. Tanzania Immigration specifically states that each passport holder must have a separate visa application, including minors traveling with their parents.

For a family safari, check the visa requirements for every traveler individually rather than assuming one family application covers everyone.

Passport Requirements

Before starting your visa application, check your passport carefully. Tanzania Immigration currently requires:

• At least six months of passport validity
• At least one unused visa page

It is also important that the passport you use for the visa application is the same passport you intend to use when entering Tanzania. If you receive a new passport after applying, contact the relevant immigration authority for guidance rather than assuming the existing visa will transfer automatically.

Do You Need a Yellow Fever Certificate?

This depends on where you are traveling from. Tanzania's Ministry of Health states that yellow fever vaccination is mandatory for travelers arriving from countries considered at risk for yellow fever transmission. The requirement can also apply when a traveler has had a transit of 12 hours or more in a yellow-fever-risk country.

The UK government similarly states that travelers arriving from countries with yellow fever transmission risk need a vaccination certificate. If this applies to you, the vaccination should be administered at least 10 days before entry.

Because health-entry requirements can change, check the current requirements based on your route and recent transit countries before departure.

Do You Need Travel Insurance?

A visa and travel insurance are two different things. Travel insurance is strongly recommended for an international safari because medical treatment, emergency evacuation, trip interruption or lost belongings can create significant costs.

If your itinerary includes Zanzibar, there is an additional consideration: current UK travel advice states that visitors to Zanzibar must have mandatory inbound travel insurance from the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation (ZIC) for the duration of their stay, and that other international travel insurance policies are not accepted for this specific requirement.

Check the current Zanzibar requirements before travel if your itinerary includes the island.

What Happens at Immigration?

Having a visa does not automatically guarantee entry. Tanzania Immigration states that a Visa Grant Notice is not itself the final authority to enter the country — immigration officers at the point of entry can still assess whether the traveler meets the applicable entry requirements.

You should be prepared to show:

• Your passport
• Visa or Visa Grant Notice, where applicable
• Return or onward ticket
• Other supporting information requested by immigration

Tanzania Immigration specifically advises visitors to have their return ticket available at the point of entry.

Common Tanzania Visa Mistakes to Avoid

Applying Through the Wrong Website

Use the official Tanzania Immigration visa system rather than an unrelated third-party website.

Choosing the Wrong Visa Category

Tourists generally require an Ordinary Visa, except where nationality-specific rules require another category, such as the Multiple Entry Visa for US passport holders visiting for tourism.

Applying Too Late

Allow adequate time for processing, especially if your nationality requires referral approval.

Entering Incorrect Passport Information

Check names, passport numbers, dates and other information carefully before submitting. Tanzania Immigration states that changes cannot simply be made after an online application has been submitted.

Assuming Every Nationality Has the Same Rules

Visa eligibility varies by nationality. Always check the rules for your specific passport.

Dawson's Approach to Visa Preparation

At Dawson Safaris Tanzania, visa preparation is part of helping you prepare for the journey — not something we leave until the airport. When planning your safari, we encourage travelers to confirm:

• Your nationality — visa requirements depend on the passport you hold.
• Your passport — check validity and available visa pages before applying.
• Your travel dates — allow sufficient time for visa processing.
• Your route — a safari combined with Zanzibar or other destinations may involve additional entry or insurance considerations.
• Your family or group — each passport holder may have separate visa requirements.

We can help you understand the practical steps involved in preparing for your safari, while official immigration authorities remain the definitive source for visa approval and entry requirements.

Tanzania Visa Checklist

• Passport valid for at least six months
• At least one unused visa page
• Correct visa category
• Visa application completed accurately
• Passport photograph prepared
• Return or onward ticket
• Visa fee paid
• Visa Grant Notice received, if applying online
• Yellow fever certificate, if required for your route
• Zanzibar inbound insurance, if visiting Zanzibar
• Digital and printed copies of important travel documents

Final Thoughts

Getting your Tanzania visa does not need to be complicated. The key is to check the rules for your specific passport, use the official Tanzania Immigration system, apply early enough and make sure your documents match your travel plans.

Visa rules can change, so treat this article as a planning guide rather than a substitute for checking the latest official requirements before departure. For the most current visa information, use the official Tanzania Immigration Services portal.

Check your passport, use the official portal, apply early — and make sure your documents match your travel plans.