Tanzania visa application requirements

Tanzania Visa Requirements & Fees

Apply online, skip the queues - here's every visa type, fee, and requirement for entering Tanzania.

$50Ordinary (tourist) visa fee
90 daysMaximum single-entry validity
10 daysStandard processing time
71Nationalities exempt from a visa entirely
Tanzania online visa application portal
Where to Apply

Only through the official immigration portal

Apply at www.immigration.go.tz, select e-Visa Application, upload your documents and pay online. You'll receive a User ID by email to track your application, then a confirmation once it's submitted.

Best viewed in Chrome or Firefox. Most nationalities can also get a visa on arrival, though online application is still recommended to avoid delays.

Apply at immigration.go.tz
Visa Types & Fees

Six categories, most safari visitors need "Ordinary"

Visa TypeFeeNotes
Ordinary (tourist/holiday)$50Single entry, up to 90 days
Multiple Entry$100Required for US nationals visiting for tourism
Business$250Single entry, up to 90 days
Transit$30Max 7 days, passing through only
Student$50-$550Depends on programme length
Gratis (diplomatic)FreeDiplomatic/official passport holders
Note: US passport holders visiting for tourism must apply for the Multiple Entry Visa rather than Ordinary, due to a bilateral agreement between the two countries.
Tanzania Ordinary Visa requirements
What Most Safari Visitors Need

Ordinary Visa requirements

Copy of your passport's biographic data page, a return flight ticket, a completed declaration form, and the $50 fee. Your passport must have at least 6 months' validity and one unused visa page remaining.

Applications are usually processed within 10 days - apply at least 10 days ahead, longer for referral-category nationalities.

Who's Exempt

71 nationalities need no visa at all

This includes Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan, Burundi, DR Congo, South Africa, Botswana, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong and many Caribbean and Commonwealth nations - the full list is on the official portal.

Referral Visa category: a separate list of countries (including Nigeria, Pakistan, Iran, Somalia and others) cannot get a visa on arrival and must apply online well in advance - typically 1-2 months before travel, with no payment for flights or hotels until approved.
Frequently Asked Questions

Tanzania visa - your questions answered

Which visa do I need for a safari holiday?

The Ordinary Visa ($50), unless you're a US passport holder, in which case you'll need the Multiple Entry Visa ($100) instead.

How long does processing take?

Standard applications typically process within 10 days, though some cases take longer. Referral-category nationalities should apply 1-2 months ahead.

Can I get a visa on arrival?

Yes, for nationalities not in the Referral Visa category, though applying online in advance is still recommended to avoid delays at the border.

Is the visa fee refundable?

No - all visa fees are non-refundable and non-transferable, including if the application is rejected or your travel plans change.

Do I need a visa if I'm from Kenya, Uganda or Rwanda?

No - these and 68 other nationalities are fully exempt from needing a Tanzania visa.

What documents do I need for an Ordinary Visa?

A copy of your passport's biographic page, a return flight ticket, a completed declaration form, and the $50 fee - plus a passport valid 6+ months with an unused visa page.