The Tanzania tourist visa is required for most foreign nationals visiting Tanzania for leisure, sightseeing, or holidays. Available as a single-entry e-Visa or visa on arrival, it grants a stay of up to 90 days and costs $50 USD. Citizens of approximately 60 countries can enter visa-free.
Tanzania is one of Africa’s top travel destinations, drawing millions of visitors each year to the Serengeti, Mount Kilimanjaro, and the spice islands of Zanzibar. Whether you are planning a safari, a beach holiday, or a cultural tour, understanding the Tanzania tourist visa process is essential for a smooth trip.
This guide covers everything you need to know: who needs a tourist visa, how to apply, required documents, fees, processing times, and answers to the most frequently asked questions.
What Is a Tanzania Tourist Visa?
A Tanzania tourist visa is an official travel document that allows foreign nationals to enter Tanzania for tourism and leisure purposes. It falls under the “ordinary” or “single-entry” visa category issued by the Tanzania Immigration Services Department.
The tourist visa permits holders to:
- Visit national parks, game reserves, and tourist attractions
- Stay in hotels, lodges, and resorts across mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar
- Participate in cultural activities, short-term volunteer work, and non-commercial events
Tanzania introduced its electronic visa (e-Visa) system on 26 November 2018, making it possible to apply online before travelling. You can still obtain a visa on arrival at major airports and border crossings, but the e-Visa is recommended to avoid long queues.
Tourist Visa vs Other Visa Types
| Feature | Tourist Visa | Business Visa | Transit Visa | Multiple Visa |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Leisure, sightseeing | Meetings, conferences, short assignments | Passing through to another country | Frequent travel |
| Validity | Up to 90 days | Up to 90 days | 7 days | Up to 12 months |
| Entries | Single | Single | Single | Multiple |
| Fee | $50 | $50 | $50 | $100+ |
If your visit involves employment, research, or long-term stays, you will need a different visa category or a residence permit instead.
Who Needs a Tanzania Tourist Visa?
Most foreign nationals need a visa to enter Tanzania. However, citizens of around 60 countries are exempt and can enter without a visa for stays of up to 90 days.
Visa-Exempt Countries
Holders of ordinary passports from the following countries can enter Tanzania without a visa for up to 3 months:
Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Botswana, Brunei, Burundi, Cyprus, Dominica, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eswatini, Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guyana, Hong Kong, Jamaica, Kenya, Kiribati, Lesotho, Macau, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Malta, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Romania, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent, Samoa, Seychelles, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, South Sudan, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
British Overseas Territories Citizens (Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Gibraltar, and others) and holders of New Zealand and Australian territory passports also enjoy visa-free entry.
Countries Requiring Prior Approval (Referral Visa)
Citizens of certain countries must obtain approval from the Commissioner General of Immigration before a visa can be issued. These countries include:
Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Chad, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Eritrea, Iran, Iraq, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palestine, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Syria, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Yemen.
Stateless persons and refugees also require prior approval. If you hold a passport from one of these countries, apply well in advance as processing takes longer.
If your nationality is not listed in either category, you need a visa. The easiest route is to apply online via the Tanzania e-Visa portal. For a full breakdown of national requirements, see our Tanzania visa requirements guide.
How to Apply for a Tanzania Tourist Visa
You have two options: apply online through the e-Visa portal or obtain a visa on arrival at the airport or border.
Option 1: Apply Online (Recommended)
The Tanzania e-Visa portal is the official platform at visa.immigration.go.tz. Here is the step-by-step process:
- Create an account on the Tanzania e-Visa portal
- Select “Ordinary Visa” and choose “Tourism” as your purpose of travel
- Fill in the application form with personal details, passport information, and travel dates
- Upload required documents (passport scan, passport photo, flight itinerary)
- Pay the visa fee online with a credit or debit card
- Wait for approval – you will receive a notification email
- Download and print the approved e-Visa to present on arrival
Processing typically takes 2 to 10 working days, though applying at least 2 to 3 weeks before your trip is strongly recommended.
Option 2: Visa on Arrival
If you prefer, you can obtain a Tanzania tourist visa when you arrive at the airport or land border crossing. The process involves:
- Fill out a visa application form at the immigration desk
- Present your passport, passport photos, and supporting documents
- Pay the visa fee in cash (USD $50 or $100 notes only – no smaller denominations accepted)
- Receive your visa stamp
Important: Visa on arrival queues at Julius Nyerere International Airport (Dar es Salaam) and Kilimanjaro International Airport can be lengthy during peak travel season. Many travellers report waits of 30 to 60 minutes. Applying online in advance is the faster option.
For detailed application instructions and tips, visit our Tanzania e-Visa complete guide.
Tanzania Tourist Visa Requirements
To apply for a Tanzania tourist visa, you need the following documents:
- Valid passport – must be valid for at least 6 months from your date of entry with at least 1 blank page
- Completed visa application form (online or paper)
- Recent passport-size photograph – taken within the last 6 months, white background
- Flight itinerary or confirmed return ticket
- Proof of accommodation – hotel booking, lodge reservation, or host invitation letter
- Yellow Fever vaccination certificate – required if travelling from or transiting through a country with risk of Yellow Fever (applies to citizens of and travellers from most of sub-Saharan Africa, parts of South America, and some other countries)
Special Requirements for Minors
Children under 18 travelling alone or with only one parent must provide:
- A notarised consent letter jointly signed by both parents or legal guardians
- A copy of the signing parents’ identification documents
Tanzania Tourist Visa Fees
The Tanzania tourist visa fee is $50 USD for most nationalities, regardless of whether you apply online or get a visa on arrival. This is the standard single-entry ordinary visa fee.
| Visa Type | Fee (USD) | Validity | Entries |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ordinary / Tourist | $50 | Up to 90 days | Single |
| Multiple Entry | $100 | Up to 90 days per entry | Multiple |
| Transit | $50 | 7 days | Single |
| Business | $50 | Up to 90 days | Single |
Payment methods vary by application route:
– Online (e-Visa): Credit card, debit card, or PayPal
– On arrival: Cash only – USD $50 or $100 notes. Smaller denominations are often not accepted. Some airports may accept card payments, but do not rely on this.
For nationalities requiring prior referral approval, the fee remains $50 but additional processing delays apply. A full breakdown of all visa categories and fees is available in our Tanzania visa fee guide.
Tanzania Tourist Visa Processing Time
Processing times depend on how you apply:
| Application Method | Processing Time |
|---|---|
| e-Visa (online) | 2 to 10 working days |
| Visa on arrival | Immediate (at the airport) |
| Referral visa (prior approval) | Up to 2 to 3 months |
e-Visa processing times are not guaranteed. During peak travel seasons (June to October for safaris, December to February for beach holidays), delays are common. Applying at least 3 weeks before departure is strongly recommended.
Expedited processing is not officially available through the standard e-Visa portal. Some third-party visa agencies offer expedited services at a premium, but these are not endorsed by the Tanzanian government.
Zanzibar Travel Insurance Requirement
Since 1 October 2024, all visitors to Zanzibar must hold mandatory travel insurance from the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation (ZIC). This requirement applies to every tourist, regardless of nationality or visa status. Zanzibar is part of the United Republic of Tanzania, so if your Tanzania tourist visa itinerary includes Zanzibar, you must purchase this insurance.
Key details about the Zanzibar insurance requirement:
- Cost varies depending on the length of stay and coverage level
- Can be purchased online before departure or at the airport upon arrival in Zanzibar
- Covers medical emergencies, personal accidents, baggage loss, and travel inconveniences
- Applies to all visitors, including those with existing international travel insurance
If you only plan to visit mainland Tanzania (Dar es Salaam, Serengeti, Kilimanjaro), the Zanzibar insurance is not mandatory. However, having general travel insurance covering medical evacuation is strongly advised for any Tanzania trip.
Tanzania Tourist Visa Validity and Duration of Stay
A Tanzania tourist visa is typically valid for a stay of up to 90 days from the date of entry. The exact duration is determined by the immigration officer at the port of entry.
Key points:
- The visa is single-entry – once you leave Tanzania, the visa is void even if you have not used all 90 days
- You can apply for a visa extension at immigration offices in Dar es Salaam, Dodoma, or Zanzibar if you need more time
- Overstaying your visa results in fines – currently approximately $500 USD plus a daily penalty
- If you plan to visit Tanzania multiple times in one trip (e.g., Tanzania then Kenya then back to Tanzania), consider a multiple-entry visa
Yellow Fever Vaccination Requirement
A Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is mandatory for travellers arriving from or transiting through countries with Yellow Fever risk. This applies regardless of nationality if the journey passes through a risk area.
Countries requiring a Yellow Fever certificate include most of sub-Saharan Africa (Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, DRC, Nigeria, Ghana, and many others) plus parts of South America (Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, and others).
If you transit through a Yellow Fever risk country for more than 12 hours or leave the airport during transit, you will need a valid certificate upon arrival in Tanzania. The certificate becomes valid 10 days after vaccination.
Even if your home country is not in a risk zone, carrying a Yellow Fever certificate is recommended as a precaution, especially if your itinerary includes a layover in Nairobi, Addis Ababa, or Johannesburg.
Tips for a Smooth Tanzania Tourist Visa Experience
- Apply online at least 3 weeks before travel – skip the airport queues
- Print your e-Visa approval – carry a physical copy even though the system is electronic
- Carry crisp US dollar notes – worn or marked bills may be rejected for on-arrival payments
- Get your Yellow Fever vaccine early – the certificate becomes valid 10 days after vaccination
- Book accommodation before applying – you need a hotel booking or host letter for the e-Visa form
- Check passport validity – at least 6 months remaining and 1 blank page
- Double-check your e-Visa details – errors in names, passport numbers, or dates can result in denial of entry
- Keep proof of return travel – immigration officers may ask for your return or onward ticket
FAQs About Tanzania Tourist Visa
How long does it take to get a Tanzania tourist visa?
The e-Visa typically takes 2 to 10 working days to process. Visa on arrival is instant but involves queueing at the airport. Referral visas (for nationalities requiring prior approval) can take up to 2 to 3 months.
Can I extend my Tanzania tourist visa?
Yes. You can apply for a visa extension at immigration offices in Dar es Salaam, Dodoma, or Zanzibar. Extensions are granted for up to an additional 90 days. Apply before your current visa expires to avoid overstay penalties.
Do US citizens need a visa for Tanzania?
Yes. US citizens need a visa to enter Tanzania for tourism. They can apply online for an e-Visa ($50) or obtain a visa on arrival at the airport. No prior approval is required.
Do UK citizens need a visa for Tanzania?
Yes. UK citizens require a visa for Tanzania tourism. The e-Visa or visa on arrival costs $50 USD for a single-entry stay of up to 90 days. British Overseas Territories Citizens (Bermuda, Cayman Islands, etc.) enjoy visa-free entry.
Is the Tanzania tourist visa the same as the e-Visa?
The tourist visa is the visa category; the e-Visa is the application method. When you apply online through the Tanzania e-Visa portal for tourism purposes, you are applying for a tourist/ordinary visa electronically. The end result is the same visa type whether applied online or on arrival.
What is the difference between a Tanzania tourist visa and visa on arrival?
There is no difference in the visa itself – both are single-entry ordinary/tourist visas costing $50. The difference is the application process: the e-Visa is obtained online before travel, while the visa on arrival is issued at the port of entry. The e-Visa avoids queues and is recommended.
Can I work in Tanzania on a tourist visa?
No. A Tanzania tourist visa does not permit employment or long-term commercial activity. For work, you need a work visa or residence permit. Short-term volunteer work and attending conferences or meetings may be permitted, but it is advisable to confirm your specific activity with the Tanzania Immigration Services Department.
Do I need travel insurance for Tanzania?
Travel insurance is not required for a Tanzania visa application, but it is strongly recommended. If you plan to visit Zanzibar, mandatory travel insurance from the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation (ZIC) is required since October 2024.
Which Tanzanian airport should I fly into?
The main international airports are Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR) in Dar es Salaam, Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) near Arusha/Moshi, and Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ) in Zanzibar. Your choice depends on your itinerary – JRO for northern safaris, ZNZ for beach holidays, DAR for southern safari circuits and business.
Can I visit both mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar on a tourist visa?
Yes. A single Tanzania tourist visa covers both mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar, as they are part of the same country. There are no additional immigration requirements for moving between mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar. However, if visiting Zanzibar, you need the mandatory Zanzibar travel insurance.
