Visas

Who needs a Visa?

All travellers to Tanzania, other than the Nationalities listed below, require a valid Visa each time they enter the Republic of Tanzania. A Single Entry Visa (Ordinary Visa / Tourist Visa / Visitor’s Pass) is the most common type of Visa and can be obtained via the Tanzania Electronic Visa Application System (eVisa) or on arrival and is valid for 90 days from the date of issue. The eVisa portal can be accessed here https://visa.immigration.go.tz/

The eVisa application usually takes 10 business days, is issued via email and the cost is US$50 for a Single Entry Visa.

It should be noted that the possession of Visa is not a final authority to enter the United Republic of Tanzania. The Immigration Officer at the Entry Point may refuse a holder of a Visa to enter if he is satisfied that the holder is unable to fulfil Immigration entry requirements or if the presence of such person  in the United Republic of Tanzania would be contrary to the National Interests.

Countries whose Nationals do not require a Visa:

• Antigua & Barbuda
• Anguilla
• Ashmore & Certie Island
• Bahamas
• Barbados
• Bermuda
• Belize
• Brunei
• British Virgin Island
• British Indian Ocean Territory
• Botswana
• Cyprus
• Cayman Island
• Channel Island
• Cocoas Island
• Cook Island
• Christmas Island
• Dominica
• Falkland Island
• 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
• Naue Island
• Norfolk Island
• Namibia
• Papua new Guinea
• Rwanda
• Romania
• Ross Dependency
• Samoa
• Seychelles
• Singapore
• Swaziland
• Solomon Island
• St. Kitts&Navis
• St. Lucia
• St. Vicent
• St. Helana
• South African Republic
• Trinidad & Tobago
• Turks & Caicos
• Tokelan
• Tonga
• Tuvalu
• Vanuatu
• Uganda
• Zambia
• Zimbabwe

Types of Visa

ORDINARY VISA (SINGLE ENTRY VISA)

This visa is granted to foreign national for the purposes of Visit, Tourism, Leisure, Holiday, attending Conference, Humanitarian and charity activities, Family Visit, Health Treatment or any other purpose as may be determined by the issuing authority. Its validity does not exceed 90 days for a single entry.

BUSINESS VISA

Business visa may be issued for a period not exceeding 90 days to foreign nationals who wish to enter in the United Republic of Tanzania for one of the following purposes:

• To conduct special assignments such as fixing/repairing machines or to run short term training, etc.
• To conduct short time professional roles such as auditing accounts, making feasibility studies, establishing professionals and business contacts, making arrangements for investments during the startup period etc.
• To conduct any other short term lawful business-related task recognised by the laws of the country and as may be determined by the issuing authority.

MULTIPLE ENTRY VISA

This Visa may be issued to foreign nationals whose purposes of visits call for frequent visits to the United Republic of Tanzania. These may include 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 NGO’s and any other person as may be determined by the Commissioner General of Immigration or Commissioner of Immigration Zanzibar.

This Visa (Multiple) is also issued to American citizens who wish to come for Holiday or Tourism purposes, as they are not entitled for Ordinary Visa. The maximum validity of this Visa is 12 months. However, the holder of the Multiple Visa cannot stay in the country for twelve (12) consecutive months. They are required to leave the country at most after every three months.

NB:
American nationals who wish to visit Tanzania for tourism or holiday purposes MUST select this type of Visa while applying Online.

TRANSIT VISA

This Visa may be issued to foreign nationals for the purpose of transiting through to another destination outside the United Republic for a period not exceeding seven days. The applicant of this visa may be required to provide proof of a Visa of the destination country and/or Onward ticket.

NB:
Transit Visa is strictly intended for those travellers whose purpose of entry is to pass through Tanzania, and cannot be used for tourism purposes.

GRATIS VISA

Student visa is granted to foreign national who enters the Country for the purpose of Academic conducts such as Research Students, Intern, Volunteering, EAC Students, Exchange students (EAC and Exchange students are free of charge) and Prospective Students admitted in recognized and legally registered Institutions. This Visa may be issued for a period not exceeding two years.

STUDENT VISA

This visa may be issued for a single entry or multiple entries to a holder of diplomatic, services or official passport or Travel Document of recognized International Organization who is on official duty and their Dependents. It can be also issued to a holder of ordinary passport or Travel document as it may be directed by the Commissioner General of Immigration and Commissioner of Immigration Zanzibar.

REFERRAL CASES

There are some countries which their nationals require special clearance from the Commissioner General of Immigration or the Commissioner of Immigration (Zanzibar) prior to issuance of the Visa. These countries fall under the Referral Visa Category.

Applicants whose nationals fall under this category are not advised to book flight tickets or make payments for any reservations in Tanzania before they get approval for their Visa. Applicants of Referral Visa are advised to apply at least two months before their date of travel.

Note:

Stateless persons and Refugees who hold Vienna Convention documents are also required to obtain referral visa prior to coming to United Republic of Tanzania.

Countries that fall under the Referral Visa Category are:
Afghanistan
Azerbaijan
Bangladesh
Chad
Djibouti
Ethiopia
Eritrea
Equatorial Guinea
Iran
Iraq
Kazakhstan Republic
Kyrgystan Republic
Lebanon
Mali
Mauritania
Niger
Nigeria
Pakistan
Palestine
Senegal
Somalia
Sri Lanka
Somali land
Sierra Leone
Syria
Tajikistan
Turkmenistan
Uzbekistan
Yemen and
Stateless persons or persons with refugee status.

Note:

1. Refugees who hold Vienna Convention documents (Travel Documents) are also required to obtain referral visa prior to coming to Tanzania.

2. Applicants whose nationals fall under the Referral Visa Category are advised not to book flight tickets or make payments for any reservations in Tanzania before they receive approval for their Visa.

3. Applicants for Referral Visas are advised to apply at least two months before their date of travel.

How to apply

You can apply:

• Via the Tanzanian Government eVisa portal
• On arrival at one of four main entry points in Tanzania

Via the eVisa portal
Visit the Tanzanian Government eVisa portal and fill in the on-line application. Requirements:

ORDINARY (SINGLE ENTRY) VISA

An application of Ordinary Visa should be accompanied with the following;

• Copy of the applicant’s valid passport (biographic data page);
• Return ticket of the flight (not mandatory);
• Dully filled in declaration form
• 50 USD visa fee.

MULTIPLE VISA

• Copy of the applicant’s valid passport (biographic data page);
• 100 USD Visa fee;
• Valid passport or national ID of the person to be visited in Tanzania (host) OR;
• A covering letter of the host Institution detailing the reasons and frequency of Visits OR;
• Attached Certificate of marriage of a spouse and a passport/national ID, if the applicant comes to visit a spouse OR;
• Any proof that justifies that a visitor is required to visit the United Republic of Tanzania frequently.
• Return ticket of the flight (not mandatory);

BUSINESS VISA

• Copy of the applicant’s valid passport (biographic data page);
• Return ticket of the flight;
• 250 USD visa fee.
• A work contract or any proof of the work/assignment to be performed within a period not exceeding three months; or

TRANSIT VISA

• Copy of the applicant’s valid passport (biographic data page);
• 30 USD visa fee.
• An entry visa or onward ticket to the intended country of destination;

STUDENT VISA

• Copy of the applicant’s valid passport (biographic data page);
• 50 USD, 250 USD or 550 USD Visa fee depending on the category and duration.
• Covering letter from the host institution/college where the foreign student will be hosted, the letter must detail the course/field and duration of the programme to be attended

Visa Application for Referral Cases

There are two modalities of application for Referral Visa Applicants. The first one, which is recommended, is for applicants to seek permission clearance first, through their host in Tanzania. In this case, the host submits the request letter detailing the reasons and duration of stay of the visitor, to the commissioner General of immigration, or the commissioner of Zanzibar, if the applicant wishes to visit Zanzibar. In this modality, the applicant while applying Online will attach his photo (passport size), Passport/Travel Document (biographic data page) and a permission letter granted. His application will be processed within five working days

The second option is for applicant to apply direct online by attaching the following attachments while making application:

• Applicant Passport size photo;
• Applicant Valid copy of Passport (biographic data page);
• Covering letter from a legally registered Institution/ Company if the visit is official or covering letter from an Individual who knows the applicant if the trip is personal, the letter must detail the purpose of visit and duration of stay of the prospective visitor;
• 50 USD Visa fee

This application will be processed within two months.

Visa on Arrival

It is possible to obtain a Visa for a single entry at any one of the following four main entry points to Tanzania, subject to the fulfillment of all immigration and health requirements. Please note you must pay the Visa fee in Tanzanian Shillings, not US dollars.

• Dar es Salaam International Airport
• Zanzibar International Airport
• Kilimanjaro International Airport
• Namanga Entry Point (Tanzania-Kenya boarder point)

However, we recommend obtaining your Visa from eVisa portal prior to departure to avoid lengthy delays and any issues at the entry points.

Applying at the Consulate

You can no longer apply for a visa at the Consulate.

Please be wary of other on-line Visa agents claiming to process e-Visas as they may not be recognised or accepted by Tanzania Immigration Services.

Visa Fees

Visa FAQs

We’ve answered some common questions below, if you have any further queries, please contact the Consulate.