Tanzania Visa Information
Foreign eligible visitors traveling to Tanzania for Tourism purposes must have a visa to enter Tanzania and travel between Tanzania and Zanzibar. Applicants can obtain a visa by completing a straightforward online visa application. Citizens of eligible countries must complete an online application form to get an approved visa for Tanzania and Zanzibar.
Any foreigner seeking to enter the United Republic of Tanzania is subject to the following entry requirements:
- A passport or Travel Document which is valid for not less than six months;
- A Residence Permit or a Pass, or his name is endorsed upon the same;
- A valid Visa (where applicable) from any Tanzania Mission abroad or on arrival at any designated entry points. Visa issuing centers.
About Visa
A visa is permission granted to a foreigner to enter and remain in the United Republic of Tanzania for a specific period. A visa is issued to a visitor who intends to enter Tanzania for visit, tourism, leisure, holiday, business, health treatment, attending a conference, or any other related activities recognized by the Laws of the country.
Types of Visa
Single Entry VISA (ORDINARY VISA)
This Visa is issued for a single-entry visitor for a period not exceeding three months for holidays, visiting, leisure, health treatment, studies, or any other activity legally recognized by the Law.
An application for an Ordinary Visa should be accompanied by the following;
- Copy of the applicant’s valid passport (biographic data page);
- Return ticket of the flight (not mandatory);
- Duly filled in the declaration form
- 50 USD visa fee.
Multiple Entry VISA
This visa may be issued to foreign visitors for Official visits, Government Missions, family reunions, or other circumstances as determined by the Office of the Commissioner-General of Immigration that require frequent visits to the United Republic of Tanzania. These include Directors of Companies registered in Tanzania who do not reside in the country; Spouses or family members (Family reunion); Bilateral Agreement Representatives; Private or Government Consultants, etc.
The maximum validity of this Visa is twelve months. However, the holder of the Multiple Visa cannot stay in the country for 12 consecutive months. They are required to leave the country at most every three months.
Caution: The Multiple Visa is not intended for those visitors coming for business purposes, such as those described under the Business Visa category.
NB: American nationals who wish to visit Tanzania for tourism or holiday purposes must apply for this type of Visa.
An application for a Multiple Entry Visa should be accompanied by the following;
- Copy of the applicant’s valid passport (biographic data page);
- 100 USD Visa fee;
- Valid passport or national ID of the person to be visited in Tanzania (host) OR
- A cover letter of the host Institution detailing the reasons and frequency of Visits OR;
- Attached Certificate of the marriage of a spouse and a passport/national ID, if the applicant comes to visit a spouse, OR
- Any proof that justifies that a visitor is required to visit the United Republic of Tanzania frequently.
- Return ticket of the flight (not mandatory);
Gratis VISA
This visa may be issued for single or multiple entries to holders of diplomatic, service, or official passports or Travel Documents of a recognized International Organization who are on official duty, and to their Dependents. It can also be issued to a holder of an ordinary passport or a Travel document, as directed by the Commissioner-General of Immigration and the Commissioner of Immigration, Zanzibar.
Transit VISA
This Visa may be issued to foreign nationals to transit through to another destination outside the United Republic for a period not exceeding seven days. The applicant for this visa may be required to provide proof of a Visa from the destination country and/or an Onward flight ticket.
An application for a Multiple Entry Visa should be accompanied by the following;
- Copy of the applicant’s valid passport (biographic data page);
- 30 USD visa fee.
- An entry visa or onward ticket to the intended country of destination;
Business VISA
This visa may be issued to expatriates for short-term assignments that do not exceed 90 days. It may be issued to such foreign expatriates to allow them to enter the United Republic of Tanzania for the following purposes;
To conduct special assignments, such as repairing machines or running short-term training.
To perform professional roles such as auditing accounts.
To conduct lawful business according to the laws of the country.
Business visas will be issued at the Immigration Headquarters in Dar es Salaam, the Immigration Head Office in Zanzibar, Entry Points, and Tanzanian Consular Offices abroad.
An application for a Multiple Entry Visa should be accompanied by the following;
- Copy of the applicant’s valid passport (biographic data page);
- Return ticket for the flight.
- 250 USD visa fee.
- A work contract or any proof of the work/assignment to be performed within a period not exceeding three months; or
Student VISA
This visa may be issued for single or multiple entries to holders of diplomatic, service, or official passports or Travel Documents of a recognized International Organization who are on official duty, and to their Dependents. It can also be issued to a holder of an ordinary passport or a Travel document, as directed by the Commissioner-General of Immigration and the Commissioner of Immigration, Zanzibar.
An application for a Multiple Entry Visa should be accompanied by the following;
- Copy of the applicant’s valid passport (biographic data page);
- 50 USD, 250 USD, or 550 USD Visa fee depending on the category and duration.
- Covering letter from the host institution/college where the foreign student will be hosted, the letter must detail the course/field and duration of the program to be attended
Referral Cases
In some countries, nationals require special clearance from the Commissioner General of Immigration or the Commissioner of Immigration (Zanzibar) before the issuance of a visa. These countries fall under the Referral Visa Category.
Applicants whose nationalities fall under this category are advised not to book flights or make any reservation payments in Tanzania before they receive approval for their Visa. Applicants for Referral Visas are advised to apply at least two months before their travel date.
Visa Application for Referral Cases
There are two application modes for Referral Visa Applicants. The first recommended step is for applicants to seek permission and clearance first through their host in Tanzania. In this case, the host submits the request letter detailing the visitor’s reasons for travel and the duration of stay to the Commissioner-General of Immigration, or to the Commissioner of Zanzibar if the applicant wishes to visit Zanzibar. In this modality, the applicant, while applying online, will attach his photo (passport size), Passport/Travel Document (biographic data page), and a permission letter granted. His application will be processed within five working days.
The second option is for the applicant to apply directly online by attaching the following attachments while making an application:
- Applicant Passport size photo;
- Applicant: Valid copy of Passport (biographic data page);
- Covering letter from a legally registered Institution/ Company if the visit is official, or a covering letter from an individual who knows the applicant if the trip is personal, the letter must detail the purpose of the visit and the duration of stay of the prospective visitor.
- 50 USD Visa fee
- This application will be processed within two months.
Note: Stateless persons and refugees holding Vienna Convention documents are also required to obtain a referral visa before entering the United Republic of Tanzania.
Click here to apply online for a visa to Tanzania. In case you need any arrangements for a Tanzania safari, feel free to contact us
