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Tanzania visa – everything you need to know for your trip
Do I need a visa for Tanzania?
For many travelers, a visa is required to enter Tanzania. For tourist travel, the so-called Ordinary Visa is usually applied for. This is intended for vacation, leisure and tourist stays. According to Tanzania’s official immigration authorities, this visa for tourist travel usually costs 50 US dollars per person and is intended for a stay of up to 90 days. Citizens of the USA generally have to apply for a multiple entry visa for tourist travel, which costs 100 US dollars and is valid for up to twelve months.
In addition to the online application via the eVisa system, many travelers also have the option of applying for a visa directly on arrival. This so-called Visa on Arrival is issued on arrival at international airports in Tanzania, for example in Kilimanjaro or Dar es Salaam.
Even though this option is generally available, many travelers recommend applying before their trip via the official online portal. This often makes entering the country at the airport much quicker and more relaxed.
You should always check whether you need a visa as a national of your country and which category applies to you using the official information before you travel. The competent authority in Tanzania publishes the current information and categories.
How do I apply for a Tanzania visa?
The Tanzania visa can be applied for online via the official eVisa system of the Tanzanian Immigration Services. The official application is made via the state portal of the Immigration Services. Personal data, travel details and the required documents are uploaded there. You can find the official eVisa page here: Tanzania eVisa Portal.
The Ordinary Visa is normally selected for tourist travel. The authority also points out that a price higher than 50 US dollars for an ordinary tourist visa may indicate that the application was not made through an official or authorized channel.
How much does the visa for Tanzania cost?
For most tourist trips to Tanzania, the fee for the Ordinary Visa is 50 US dollars per person. This is the standard category for vacation and tourist stays. For travelers with a US passport, the Multiple Entry Visa with a fee of 100 US dollars usually applies in tourist cases.
It is important that you submit the application via the official website so that you only pay the fees set by the government. The Tanzanian authorities expressly point out that excessive fees may indicate intermediaries or unauthorized links.
How long is the Tanzania visa valid for?
According to official regulations, the Ordinary Visa for tourist travel is intended for a stay of up to 90 days. It is a single entry visa, i.e. a visa for a single entry. This means that this visa is generally issued for one entry to Tanzania and the tourist stay should take place within this framework.
A multiple entry visa may be relevant for travelers who need to enter the country more frequently or who require a different visa category due to their nationality. According to the authorities, this is valid for a period of up to twelve months. For tourist travel, this applies in particular to travelers with a US passport.
If you also visit other East African countries during your trip and then wish to return to Tanzania, you should carefully check the visa category in advance. Depending on the route and re-entry, a different visa solution may make sense. The official instructions of the immigration authorities provide the relevant regulations.
What documents are required for the Tanzania visa?
The Tanzanian immigration authorities specify the following basic requirements for the Ordinary Visa. A valid passport with at least six months remaining validity, the relevant visa fee, a passport photo and a return flight or onward travel ticket are required.
Additional requirements may apply depending on nationality, purpose of travel or visa category. It is therefore important to check the information on the official portal carefully before submitting the application.
Passport and validity
Passport photo and travel data
Special cases and referral visas
How does the visa application process work step by step?
The online application for the Tanzania visa follows a clear procedure. First, the appropriate visa category is selected. Then personal data, passport information and travel details are entered. In the next step, the required documents are uploaded and then the fee is paid online. The application is then processed and the result is communicated via the system. The official application is made via the Tanzanian Immigration Services portal.
For many travelers, this process seems particularly complex when applying for the first time, especially if the forms and instructions are in English. This is exactly where we provide our guests with practical support.
Our support with the Tanzania visa
We won’t leave you alone with the visa application. We have prepared the entire process for our guests in an easy-to-understand format and provide translated PDF documents to make the application process much easier.
These documents explain step by step how to complete the application, what information is important and what you should pay particular attention to. This makes the application much clearer and easier to understand, even if you don’t deal with English online forms on a daily basis.
Especially for an individually planned Tanzania Safaria family safari, a honeymoon safari or a combination of safari and Zanzibar it is a great relief for many guests if the entry formalities are also prepared in a clearly structured manner.
When should I apply for a Tanzania visa?
The application should not be made at the last minute. Even if the eVisa procedure is generally possible online, it makes sense to prepare the application in good time before departure. Processing can take longer, especially in times of high travel volume or for special nationalities. For referral visa cases, the authority expressly recommends submitting the application at least two months before the start of the trip.
If you are still planning your travel time, you can find more helpful information on our page about the best time to travel to Tanzania.
Visa, safari and travel planning from a single source
Many guests not only want to know how the visa works, but also want to plan their entire trip well in advance. This is exactly where we support you. From the right route and choice of national parks to practical questions about entry and travel preparations, we provide you with personal support.
If you are still looking for inspiration for your trip, you can also find more information on our website about national parks, Activities, lodges, safaris, Zanzibar Vacation and Kilimanjaro climbs.
If you are planning a tailor-made trip, it is also worth taking a look at our page on Tanzania Individual Trip.