Tanzania Visa Requirements 2026: Everything You Need to Know Before You Go

Getting your Tanzania visa right is the essential first administrative step in planning your safari. Tanzania operates a straightforward e-Visa system that most nationalities can use from home before departure, making entry simpler than it has been historically. However, there are specific requirements, documents, and common mistakes that can cause delays or complications at the border. This complete 2026 guide covers everything you need to know about Tanzania visa requirements, costs, application steps, and entry rules.

Tanzania Visa Overview 2026

Tanzania issues tourist visas to citizens of most countries in the world. The primary method for most visitors is the Tanzania e-Visa — an online application system that allows you to obtain your visa before arriving in Tanzania. Visa on arrival remains available as an alternative at major entry points, but the e-Visa is strongly recommended to avoid queues and potential complications at the airport.

Who Needs a Visa?

Most nationalities require a visa to enter Tanzania. Citizens of the following countries are visa-exempt (no visa required): citizens of many African Union member states are exempt, and the list has been expanding under East African Community integration agreements. Citizens of Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and other EAC member states have specific arrangements. For all non-African visitors — including citizens of the USA, UK, EU countries, Australia, Canada, and most others — a tourist visa is required.

Always confirm your specific nationality's requirements on the official Tanzania Immigration website before planning your trip, as visa policies do change.

Tanzania e-Visa: The Official Online System

Official Application Website

The official Tanzania e-Visa portal is: evisa.immigration.go.tz

Important warning: several unofficial third-party websites charge inflated fees to process Tanzania visa applications. The official government portal is the only legitimate application system. Do not pay processing fees to unofficial agents unless you understand exactly what service they are providing.

Visa Types & Costs (2026)

Visa Type	Cost	Validity	Entries
Single Entry Tourist Visa	$50 USD	90 days from entry	1 entry
Multiple Entry Tourist Visa	$100 USD	12 months from issue	Multiple entries
Transit Visa	$30 USD	7 days	1 entry
Gratis (Free) Visa	$0	90 days	Varies

Note on gratis visas: Citizens of approximately 20 countries — primarily African nations — qualify for free visas. This list changes periodically and should be confirmed on the official immigration portal.

Note on US citizens: US citizens currently pay $50 for a standard single-entry tourist visa. However, visa fees and reciprocity arrangements can change — confirm current fees when applying.

How to Apply for a Tanzania e-Visa: Step by Step

Step 1: Create an Account

Visit evisa.immigration.go.tz and create an account using your email address. You will receive a verification email — click the link to activate your account before proceeding.

Step 2: Complete the Application Form

Fill in the online application form with:

• Full name (exactly as it appears in your passport)
• Date of birth, nationality, and passport details
• Purpose of visit (select "Tourism")
• Intended entry date and departure date
• Accommodation details (your first Tanzania hotel or camp)
• Previous visits to Tanzania (if any)

Step 3: Upload Required Documents

The following documents must be uploaded as clear, legible scans or photos:

• Passport bio page: Must show your full name, photo, passport number, nationality, and expiry date clearly. Passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended departure date from Tanzania.
• Passport-style photo: Recent, clear, against a white or light background. Face must be fully visible, no glasses, no hats. Digital passport photos from photo apps are generally acceptable if they meet the specification.
• Return/onward flight ticket: A confirmed booking showing your arrival into Tanzania and departure out of Tanzania (or onward to another country). If your exact return ticket is not yet booked, a tentative booking confirmation or itinerary from your travel agent may be accepted, though confirmed bookings are preferred.
• Proof of accommodation: Hotel booking confirmation or a letter from your safari operator confirming your itinerary. iTanzania Safaris provides this documentation as standard for all clients.
• Bank statement or proof of sufficient funds: A recent bank statement (within 3 months) showing sufficient funds to support your stay. Tanzania immigration guidelines suggest approximately $50 per day as a general benchmark.
• Travel itinerary: A brief outline of your planned activities in Tanzania

Step 4: Pay the Visa Fee

Payment is made online by debit or credit card (Visa, Mastercard, and American Express accepted). The payment system uses a secure gateway. Keep your payment receipt/confirmation.

Step 5: Wait for Processing

Standard processing time is 3–5 business days. Many applications are processed within 2 business days. During peak periods (July–August, December–January) processing may take longer. Apply at least 2–3 weeks before your travel date to allow comfortable buffer time.

Step 6: Download & Print Your e-Visa

Once approved, you will receive an email notification. Log back into the portal and download your e-Visa as a PDF. Print at least two copies — one to present at immigration and one as backup. Also save a digital copy on your phone. Tanzania immigration officials will want to see the physical printout at the port of entry.

Visa on Arrival

Visa on arrival is still available at Tanzania's major international entry points:

• Julius Nyerere International Airport, Dar es Salaam (DAR)
• Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO)
• Zanzibar Karume International Airport (ZNZ)
• Major land border crossings including Namanga (Kenya border)

Payment for visa on arrival is in USD cash only at most entry points (some now accept cards, but cash is safer). Visa on arrival costs the same as the e-Visa ($50/$100). Queues at major airports during busy periods can be long — sometimes 1–2 hours. The e-Visa is strongly recommended to avoid this and to resolve any documentation queries before you depart your home country.

Tanzania Visa Validity & Entry Rules

90-Day Stay

The standard tourist visa allows a stay of up to 90 days from the date of entry. You do not need to stay 90 days — the visa simply permits you to remain for up to that duration. Most safari visitors stay 7–21 days, well within this limit.

Zanzibar: Same Visa, Same Immigration Area

A common source of confusion: Zanzibar (the Zanzibar Archipelago, comprising Unguja and Pemba islands) is a semi-autonomous region of Tanzania but shares the same immigration system as the mainland. Your Tanzania visa covers both the mainland and Zanzibar. You do not need a separate visa for Zanzibar. However, when you fly from the mainland to Zanzibar, you pass through a Zanzibar immigration desk where your documents are checked — have your passport and visa ready. This is not a separate visa issuance, simply a documentation check.

Passport Validity Requirement

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended departure date from Tanzania. This is strictly enforced. A passport expiring within 6 months of your departure will result in refusal of entry. Check and renew your passport well before booking international travel.

Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate

Tanzania requires proof of yellow fever vaccination for travelers arriving from (or having transited through) yellow fever-endemic countries. The list of endemic countries includes most of Sub-Saharan Africa and parts of South America.

The yellow fever vaccination certificate (Carte Jaune / International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis — ICVP) is issued when you receive the yellow fever vaccine. The vaccine provides lifelong protection after a single dose (WHO updated guidance, 2016). Keep your original yellow fever certificate with your travel documents.

Practical advice: Even if you are not arriving from an endemic country, carry your yellow fever certificate. Immigration officers in Tanzania (particularly in Zanzibar) occasionally request it regardless of origin, and being unable to produce it can cause delays or refusal of entry.

For a full guide to vaccinations and health preparation for Tanzania, see our Tanzania Vaccinations & Health Guide.

Visa Extension

If you wish to extend your stay in Tanzania beyond the initial visa period, extensions are processed by the Tanzania Immigration Department. The main immigration office is in Dar es Salaam; regional offices are in Arusha, Moshi, Zanzibar, and other cities.

• Extensions are typically granted for up to 90 additional days
• Apply in person at an immigration office before your current visa expires
• Bring your passport, current visa, evidence of funds, and a reason for extension
• Extension fee: typically $50 for a 90-day extension (confirm current fee at time of application)

KAZA Uni-Visa: Combining Tanzania with Zambia & Zimbabwe

If your itinerary includes Tanzania combined with Victoria Falls (either the Zambia or Zimbabwe side), the KAZA Univisa may be relevant — however, it is important to note that the KAZA Univisa covers Zambia and Zimbabwe only; Tanzania is not a KAZA member. Tanzania requires its own separate visa. Travelers doing a combined Tanzania + Zambia/Zimbabwe itinerary need both a Tanzania visa and a KAZA Univisa (or individual Zambia/Zimbabwe visas).

East African Tourist Visa

Tanzania, Uganda, and Rwanda offer a shared East African Tourist Visa that allows entry to all three countries for $100. This is excellent value for travelers planning to combine Tanzania with gorilla trekking in Uganda or Rwanda. Note that Kenya is not included in this visa arrangement. The East African Tourist Visa can be applied for at the first port of entry among the three countries, or in some cases online.

Common Visa Mistakes to Avoid

• Applying too late: Apply at minimum 2–3 weeks before departure. Processing delays do occur, and resolving issues is far easier before you're at the airport.
• Incorrect name spelling: The name on your visa application must exactly match your passport. Even minor differences (middle name included/excluded, hyphenated names) can cause problems. Check carefully before submitting.
• Passport photos not meeting specification: Blurry, poorly lit, or incorrectly formatted photos are the most common cause of application delays. Use a professional or a reliable digital passport photo tool.
• Booking visa fees through unofficial third-party sites: Several websites charge $80–$150+ to "process" Tanzania visas. The official government fee is $50. Use only the official portal.
• Not printing the e-Visa: Tanzania immigration requires a physical printout. Do not assume showing it on your phone is acceptable — print it.
• Arriving without sufficient USD cash: If opting for visa on arrival, bring exact change or close to it in USD. Large denomination bills may not be changed at the immigration counter.
• Forgetting the yellow fever certificate: Even if you believe it's not required for your nationality/origin, carry it. The inconvenience of being asked for it without it available is real.
• Passport not valid for 6 months: Check your passport expiry date before booking any travel to Tanzania.

Entry at Kilimanjaro Airport vs Dar es Salaam

For northern circuit safaris (Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire, Kilimanjaro), fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), which serves Arusha directly. For southern circuit safaris (Nyerere, Ruaha) or if flying to Zanzibar as a starting point, use Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam (DAR). Zanzibar has its own international airport (ZNZ) with connections to Nairobi, Addis Ababa, Doha, and Dubai, which is a convenient starting point for beach-first itineraries.

For a complete guide to planning your Tanzania safari timing alongside visa and health preparation, see our Best Time to Visit Tanzania for Safari guide.

Visa administration can feel daunting, but for Tanzania it is genuinely straightforward when approached correctly and with sufficient lead time. The e-Visa system works reliably, processing is fast, and the requirements are clear. Don't let visa paperwork become a source of pre-trip anxiety — follow the steps in this guide and you'll arrive at Kilimanjaro or Dar es Salaam fully prepared.

iTanzania Safaris supports all booked clients with comprehensive pre-departure documentation, including providing the accommodation confirmation letters and itinerary documents required for your visa application. Our Arusha-based team is always available to answer visa and entry questions. When you're ready to start planning your Tanzania safari, contact us for a free, detailed safari proposal and pre-departure support package.