Planning a trip to Tanzania? Understanding the visa requirements is essential before you book your flights. Tanzania requires most foreign nationals to obtain a visa before entry, whether through the online eVisa system or on arrival. This guide breaks down every requirement you need to know, from passport validity to document preparation.
Who Needs a Visa for Tanzania?
Most visitors to Tanzania need a visa. The exceptions are citizens of:
- East African Community (EAC) member states: Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo
- SADC member countries (except Comoros)
- Select Commonwealth countries (excluding the UK, Canada, Nigeria, India, Pakistan, Australia, and New Zealand)
If you hold a passport from the United States, United Kingdom, European Union, China, India, Japan, or most other countries, you need a visa to enter Tanzania.
Passport Requirements
Your passport must meet these minimum requirements:
- Valid for at least six months from your date of entry into Tanzania
- At least one blank visa page available
- Only passports with M (male) or F (female) sex markers are accepted
- Machine-readable passports are required
If your passport does not meet these requirements, you will be denied boarding or entry. Renew your passport well in advance if it expires within six months of your travel dates.
Tanzania Visa Types and Their Requirements
Different visa types have different requirements and fees:
Ordinary Visa (Single Entry)
- Fee: USD 50
- Validity: Up to 90 days
- For tourism, family visits, and holidays
- Available to most nationalities
Multiple Entry Visa
- Fee: USD 100
- Validity: 1 year
- For frequent travelers
- Required for US passport holders
Business Visa
- Fee: USD 250
- Validity: Up to 90 days
- For business meetings, conferences, and professional activities
- May require invitation letter from Tanzanian company
Transit Visa
- Fee: USD 30
- Validity: Up to 7 days
- For travelers passing through Tanzania to another destination
- Must have onward ticket and destination country visa
Documents Required for Tanzania eVisa
When applying online, you need to upload:
- Passport bio page scan (clear, legible)
- Recent passport-sized photograph
- Return or onward flight ticket
- Hotel booking or accommodation confirmation
- Travel itinerary
Additional documents for specific visa types:
- Business visa: Invitation letter from Tanzanian company or organization
- Student visa: Acceptance letter from Tanzanian educational institution
- Transit visa: Onward ticket and destination country visa
- Referral countries: Invitation letter, local host information, and address
Photo Requirements for Tanzania Visa
The photograph must meet these specifications:
- Color photograph with plain (white or light) background
- Full face view, facing the camera directly
- Eyes open, natural expression
- Size: no larger than 45mm x 35mm
- No distracting shadows on face or background
- Head coverings not permitted except for religious reasons
- If you wear glasses regularly, you may keep them on
- Facial features must be clearly visible from chin to forehead
Tanzania Visa for US Citizens
US passport holders have specific requirements:
- Must apply for the Multiple Entry Visa (USD 100)
- Cannot use the Ordinary Visa option
- Can apply online or get visa on arrival
- Multiple entries allowed within 1 year validity
- Passport must be valid for at least 6 months
The Multiple Entry Visa is more expensive than the Ordinary Visa but offers flexibility for travelers who may visit Tanzania multiple times within a year.
Tanzania Visa for UK Citizens
UK passport holders need a visa and can choose between:
- Ordinary Visa: USD 50, single entry, 90 days
- Multiple Entry Visa: USD 100, multiple entries, 1 year
UK citizens are not part of the Commonwealth exemption list and must obtain a visa before or upon arrival.
Tanzania Visa for Indian Citizens
Indian passport holders must apply for a visa:
- Ordinary Visa: USD 50, single entry, 90 days
- Business Visa: USD 250, single entry, 90 days
- Indian citizens can get visa on arrival or apply online
Note: Indian citizens may need additional documentation for business visas, including invitation letters from Tanzanian companies.
Countries Requiring Referral Visa
Nationals from certain countries must apply for a Referral Visa and cannot get visa on arrival. These include:
- Afghanistan
- Bangladesh
- Chad
- Eritrea
- Guinea Conakry
- Guinea Bissau
- Iran
- Iraq
- Kyrgyzstan
- Lebanon
- Mali
- Mauritania
- Niger
- Nigeria
- Pakistan
- Palestine
- Somalia
- Sierra Leone
- Syria
- Tajikistan
- Turkmenistan
- Uzbekistan
- Yemen
Referral visa applicants must:
- Apply online at least 2 months before travel
- Wait for approval before booking flights
- Provide local host information and invitation letters
- Upload trip itinerary instead of confirmed flight tickets
Visa-Exempt Countries
If you hold a passport from one of these categories, you do not need a visa:
EAC Member States:
Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo
SADC Members (except Comoros):
Angola, Botswana, Comoros (not exempt), Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Eswatini, Zambia, Zimbabwe
Select Commonwealth Countries:
Various Commonwealth nations except UK, Canada, Nigeria, India, Pakistan, Australia, and New Zealand
Yellow Fever Certificate
While not a visa requirement per se, Tanzania requires a Yellow Fever vaccination certificate if you are arriving from or have transited through a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. This includes many African and South American countries.
Check the latest health requirements before travel and carry your Yellow Fever certificate with your passport and visa documents.
How to Prepare Your Tanzania Visa Application
Follow this checklist to ensure a smooth application:
- Check your passport validity (6+ months remaining)
- Ensure you have blank visa pages
- Take a passport-sized photo meeting specifications
- Book your flights and accommodation
- Scan your passport bio page
- Prepare any additional documents (invitation letters, etc.)
- Have a Visa or Mastercard ready for payment
- Apply at least 2-3 weeks before departure
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum passport validity for Tanzania?
Your passport must be valid for at least six months from your date of entry into Tanzania. If it expires sooner, you need to renew it before applying for a visa.
Do children need a separate visa for Tanzania?
Yes. Every traveler, including children and infants, must have their own separate eVisa application submitted. Children cannot be included in their parents’ applications.
Can I work in Tanzania with a tourist visa?
No. A tourist or ordinary visa does not permit employment. You need a Business Visa or a separate work permit for any professional activities in Tanzania.
Is a Yellow Fever certificate required for Tanzania?
Yes, if you are arriving from or transiting through a country with yellow fever risk. Check the latest requirements before your trip.
Can I apply for a Tanzania visa at the airport?
Yes, visa on arrival is available for most nationalities at all entry points. However, applying for an eVisa online before travel is recommended to avoid queues.
What happens if my visa application is rejected?
You can reapply with corrected information or contact the Immigration Services at [email protected] for guidance. Common reasons for rejection include incorrect information, missing documents, or insufficient passport validity.
