The Republic of Tanzania is located in the East of Africa. The country is known for being a paradise on earth. It is known for its mesmerising beaches, friendly people, unique places, and charming ancient towns. It is considered one of Africa’s safest places for locals and tourists.
Foreigners who want to visit Tanzania must first check if they need a visa to enter the country. If they need a visa, they can read the article below for more information regarding the visa types, requirements, duration and other related information.
Who Needs a Visa for Tanzania?
Citizens of the following countries do not need a visa to enter and stay for 30 days in Tanzania:
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Kiribati
- Saint Lucia
- Bahamas
- Lesotho
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Barbados
- Macau
- Samoa
- Belize
- Madagascar
- Seychelles
- Botswana
- Malawi
- Singapore
- Brunei
- Malaysia
- Solomon Islands
- Cyprus
- Malta
- South Africa
- Dominica
- Mauritius
- South Sudan
- Eswatini
- Morocco
- Tonga
- Gambia
- Mozambique
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Ghana
- Namibia
- Tuvalu
- Grenada
- Nauru
- Uganda
- Guyana
- Papau New Guinea
- Vanuatu
- Hong Kong
- Romania
- Zambia
- Jamaica
- Rwanda
- Zimbabwe
- Kenya
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- British Overseas Territories Citizens
Other Visa Exemptions
Diplomatic or service/official/special passport holders issued to the following countries do not need a visa to enter Tanzania:
- Brazil
- China
- Turkey
How to Apply for a Tanzania Visa?
There are two options to apply for a Tanzania visa:
- Apply online.
- Apply at the port of entry.
Apply Online
A e-Visa is available to everyone who wants to enter Tanzania except to countries that do not need a visa to enter the country. To apply for a Tanzania e-Visa, follow these steps:
- Visit the official page of the Tanzania Visa Application System.
- Select the type of visa you want to apply for.
- Fully complete the visa application form.
- Attach other required documents to support your visa application.
- Wait until you receive an email with your application visa result.
Apply at the Port of Entry
A visa on arrival is issued to everyone who needs a visa to enter Tanzania. The duration of a visa on arrival is determined at the port of entry in the country.
Tanzania Visa Requirements
Here are all the documents you need to submit to apply for a Tanzania visa:
- A passport valid for at least six months after the return date.
- A fully completed visa application form.
- A bank statement which shows the financial status of the applicant. The document must prove that you are financially stable enough to cover your expenses while in Tanzania.
- A clean criminal record.
- An accommodation proof. You will need to show evidence where you will be staying your whole time in Tanzania. This document can be a rental agreement, hotel reservation or a letter of invitation from a friend or a family member.
- A letter of invitation from a friend or relative in Tanzania, proving they will sponsor you while in Tanzania.
- A valid health insurance that can cover any medical expenses you have while in Tanzania.
Note: Depending on the type of visa you are applying for, the Tanzania embassy can request other additional documents to support your visa application. Remember that any missing or incorrect information can lead to your visa denial.
Tanzania Visa Processing Time
The processing time for a Tanzania visa is between five to ten working days. The Tanzania embassy can extend the processing time if the applicant has missing or incorrect information on the application form.
Duration of a Tanzania Visa
The duration of a Tanzania visa depends on the type of visa you are applying for. For example, the duration of a Tanzania e-Visa tourist visa is valid from 30 days to 90 days.
Foreigners who want to stay longer than 90 days in Tanzania must apply for a residence permit.
Tanzania Visa Fees
Here are all the Tanzania visa fees:
| Visa Types | Fee Amount |
| Ordinary Visa (Single Entry) | $50 |
| Multiple Entry Visa | $100 |
| Business Visa | $250 |
| Transit Visa | $39 |
| Student Visa | $50, $250, $550 |
| Gratis Visa | None |
You can finish the applicable visa fee payment online through:
- Visa card.
- Master card.
- Swift transfer (depositing money directly into the requested bank account).
After fully completing the requested visa fee payment, the applicant will receive a notification that the payment has been completed.
Note: The fee payment is nonrefundable (applicable to all visa types and visa fee amounts).
Tanzania Visa Types
These are all the Tanzania visa types you can apply for:
- Ordinary visa (single entry).
- Multiple entry visa.
- Business visa.
- Transit visa.
- Student visa.
- Gratis visa.
Ordinary Visa (Single Entry)
A Ordinary visa is issued to foreign citizens who want to visit Tanzania for visits, tourism, holiday, or family visits. The Ordinary visa is issued for a maximum of 90 days.
To apply for an ordinary visa, the applicant must submit the following document:
- A copy of the valid passport, including biographical data pages.
- A return flight ticket.
- A fully completed visa application form.
- A fee payment receipt.
Note: American citizens are not eligible for an Ordinary visa.
Multiple Entry Visa
A Multiple entry visa is issued to foreigners who want to visit Tanzania for different purposes. The multiple entry visa is valid for 12 months. However, the applicants can not stay in the country for 12 consecutive months; they must leave the country every three months.
To apply for a multiple entry visa, the applicant must submit the following documents:
- A valid passport or ID or a host in Tanzania.
- A cover letter explaining the purpose of the visit to Tanzania.
- A marriage certificate if the applicant is entering Tanzania to meet their spouse.
- A return flight ticket.
- A fee payment receipt.
Business Visa
A Business visa is issued to foreigners who want to visit Tanzania for business purposes. The duration of a Business is a maximum of 90 days.
To apply for a business visa, the applicant must submit these documents:
- A copy of the applicant’s valid passport.
- A return flight ticket.
- A fee payment receipt.
- A work contract or any document proving that the applicant will visit Tanzania for work purposes.
Transit Visa
A Transit visa is issued to the applicants who need to transit through Tanzania to arrive at their final destination. This type of visa is not valid for tourism or other purposes.
Here are the documents required when applying for a Tanzania transit visa:
- A ongoing flight ticket.
- A fee payment receipt.
- A copy of the applicant’s passport and biographical data.
Student Visa
A Student visa is issued to international students who want to study in Tanzania. The duration of a student visa can not exceed two years.
International students who want to apply for a student visa must submit the following documents:
- A fee payment receipt. The fee for a student visa depends on the visa’s category and duration.
- A letter issued by the University in Tanzania. This document must prove that the University of Tanzania will host the student. The letter must include details of the duration and program the applicant will attend.
- A copy of the valid passport, including biographical data pages.
Gratis Visa
A Gratis visa is issued to holders of diplomatic services of official passports and who are on duty in Tanzania. This type of visa is issued for single or multiple entries.
Residence Permit for Tanzania
A Tanzania residence permit is issued to foreigners who want to stay longer than 90 days in the country. The duration of a Tanzania residence permit is two years, and it can be renewed.
Why Should You Visit Tanzania?
Here are a few reasons you should visit the beautiful country of Tanzania:
- Unique breathtaking beaches with crystal clear waters.
- The country is known for having some of the wildest and most beautiful types of animals.
- The locals in Tanzania are very friendly and helpful.
- There are different tourist attractions you can visit.
- You can learn many new things about the people, the culture and the country.