Visa and Entry Requirements for Tanzania

Entering Tanzania for a safari or beach holiday is usually straightforward, provided travelers prepare the correct documents in advance and understand which visa category applies to their nationality and routing.

This guide sets out Tanzania’s current visa framework, how to apply, what immigration officers typically request on arrival, and the special cases that most often cause delays for first-time visitors.

Who Needs a Visa

Most foreign nationals require a visa to enter Tanzania for tourism, including safari travel on the mainland and visits to the islands.

A limited number of passport holders are exempt for short stays, while a smaller group must obtain special clearance before travel and cannot rely on visa on arrival or standard online applications. Because nationality classifications can change, travelers should confirm their status well before purchasing flights.

For the majority of safari guests from Europe, North America, Asia, Australia, and many African countries, a tourist visa is required.

Tourist Visa Categories

Ordinary (Single Entry) Tourist Visa

This is the most common option for leisure travelers. It normally permits stays of up to ninety days and covers standard safari itineraries and beach holidays.

Multiple Entry Visa

Some nationalities, including United States passport holders, are often issued a multiple entry visa valid for up to one year. Each stay is still limited in duration, and the fee is higher than for a single entry visa.

Transit Visa

This applies only to travelers passing through Tanzania en route to another country and is not suitable for safari travel.

Ways to Apply

Tanzania recognizes three standard application routes.

Online eVisa

The official electronic system operated by Tanzania Immigration Services allows travelers to submit applications before departure, upload passport details and supporting documents, and pay fees online.

Processing times vary by season and nationality. During busy safari months, applications should be submitted several weeks in advance to avoid complications with airline check-in or onward domestic flights.

Approved applicants receive a Visa Grant Notice, which is presented to immigration officers on arrival for final clearance.

Visa on Arrival

Many travelers remain eligible to obtain a visa at international airports and designated border posts.

Although usually efficient, queues can be lengthy when several long-haul flights land close together. Guests continuing the same day on domestic safari flights often prefer to secure an eVisa in advance to reduce waiting time.

Visa fees are typically paid in United States dollars, and notes should be clean and undamaged.

Embassies and Consulates

Some nationalities must apply through Tanzanian diplomatic missions before travel. This option is also used by travelers who prefer to have a visa issued physically in advance rather than processed at the airport.

Passport and Supporting Documents

On arrival, immigration officers normally expect to see:

1. A passport valid for at least six months beyond the date of entry
2. At least one blank page for stamps
3. A return or onward ticket
4. Proof of accommodation or a safari itinerary
5. Evidence of sufficient funds for the stay

Travelers on organized safaris should carry printed copies of their booking confirmations, as these are sometimes requested.

Yellow Fever and Health Certificates

Proof of yellow fever vaccination is not normally required for travelers arriving directly from Europe, North America, or most parts of Asia.

However, Tanzania requires a valid certificate if a traveler arrives from, or transits through, a country considered at risk for yellow fever transmission. This applies even when the transit stop is short and does not involve leaving the airport.

Because flight routings can change after tickets are issued, travelers should check both their departure country and any transit points shortly before travel.

Entry Rules for Zanzibar

Zanzibar forms part of Tanzania, and visa rules are the same whether a visitor arrives on the mainland or directly into the islands.

Passengers transferring domestically from the mainland to Zanzibar do not pass immigration again, while those landing internationally into Zanzibar complete entry formalities there.

Local authorities have also introduced separate travel insurance requirements for Zanzibar in recent years. These are distinct from visa rules and should be reviewed close to departure, as implementation details can change.

Length of Stay and Extensions

Tourist visas are generally issued for stays of up to ninety days.

Extensions can be requested within Tanzania through immigration offices, but approval is discretionary and involves formal procedures. Most safari itineraries fall well within the original allowance.

Overstaying a visa can result in fines, delays when departing, and difficulties with future travel to Tanzania, so travelers should always confirm the permitted length of stay stamped in their passport on entry.

Nationalities Requiring Advance Approval

Some passport holders fall into a category that requires special clearance before travel, sometimes referred to as referral visas.

Applicants in this group must apply well in advance and should avoid finalizing flights or accommodation until approval is granted. Safari operators normally flag these cases early in the planning process so timelines can be managed realistically.

Common Causes of Entry Problems

Most immigration delays stem from practical oversights rather than complex regulations, including:

1. Passports expiring too soon
2. Assuming visa-free entry without checking nationality rules
3. Transiting through a yellow-fever-risk country without carrying a certificate
4. Planning same-day domestic connections after relying on visa on arrival
5. Attempting to apply through unofficial third-party visa websites

How Safari Operators Support the Process

Established operators such as Serengeti Steppe Travels typically advise clients on:

1. Which visa category applies to their nationality
2. Whether applying online in advance is advisable
3. How arrival timing affects domestic flights or road transfers
4. What documentation to carry in hand luggage

Responsibility for immigration compliance always rests with the traveler, but advance guidance greatly reduces the likelihood of delays at the airport.

Summary

Most visitors to Tanzania require a tourist visa, obtainable either online before travel or on arrival at designated entry points. Passports must remain valid for at least six months, and yellow fever certificates are mandatory when routing through designated risk countries. Zanzibar follows the same immigration framework, although separate local insurance requirements may apply.

Preparing these documents well ahead of departure ensures that arrival formalities are brief and that the safari can begin without disruption.

Please read more on Tanzania's visa guidelines here: https://visa.immigration.go.tz/guidelines