Planning a breathtaking safari to the Serengeti or gearing up to climb Mount Kilimanjaro? One of the very first logistical steps you need to secure is your legal entry into the country.
The short answer is yes, the vast majority of international travelers require a tourist visa to enter Tanzania. Thankfully, the process has become incredibly streamlined over the last few years. Here is your step-by-step guide to navigating Tanzania eVisa requirements, understanding the options, and calculating your exact travel costs.
Your Two Main Options: eVisa vs. Visa on Arrival
While you can technically obtain your visa through two different methods, one is highly recommended over the other to ensure a smooth start to your vacation.
1. The Tanzania Online eVisa (Highly Recommended)
The Tanzanian government offers an electronic visa (eVisa) system that allows you to apply and receive your travel clearance entirely online before leaving your home country.
- Why choose it: It saves you significant time upon landing. Instead of standing in long processing lines after an exhausting long-haul flight, you simply march straight to the immigration passport control line.
- Processing Time: It typically takes between 2 to 3 weeks for approval, so we strongly advise applying at least a month prior to your departure date.
2. Tanzania Visa on Arrival
If you are booking a last-minute trip, you can still get a Tanzania visa on arrival at major entry ports, including Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR), Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ), and major land borders like Namanga.
- The Catch: This method requires you to queue up at multiple stations upon arrival: first to get your application reviewed, second to make your payment at the bank counter, and third to get the actual stamp. This can add 1 to 2 hours to your airport exit time during peak safari seasons.
Step-by-Step Tanzania eVisa Requirements & Application Process
To apply successfully through the official Tanzania Immigration Portal, you will need to gather a few digital documents beforehand.
Required Documents Checklist:
- Valid Passport: Must have at least 6 months of validity remaining from your date of entry, with at least two blank pages.
- Passport-style Photo: A recent, clear digital passport photograph with a white background.
- Return Flight Ticket: A digital copy of your confirmed return flight booking.
- Safari Itinerary or Host Invitation: A copy of your tour itinerary provided by your registered local safari company or a hotel booking confirmation.
The Application Steps:
- Visit the official Tanzania Electronic Visa Application System portal.
- Click on “New Application” and fill in your personal, passport, and travel detailed information.
- Upload the digital copies of your passport page, photo, and return ticket.
- Pay the non-refundable visa fee online using a credit card (Visa / Mastercard).
- Receive your unique Application ID to track your status online. Once approved, download and print your Visa Grant Notice to present at the border.
Exact Tanzania Visa Costs and Fees
The cost of your tourist visa depends entirely on your nationality.
| Nationality / Visa Type | Cost (USD) | Validity / Details |
| Most Global Citizens (UK, EU, Canada, Australia, etc.) | $50 USD | Single-entry tourist visa valid for up to 90 days. |
| United States Citizens (USA) | $100 USD | Mandatory Multiple-entry visa valid for up to 1 year (max 90 days per visit). |
| Transit Visa (All Applicable Nationalities) | $30 USD | For travelers crossing through to another country (max 7 days). |
Important Note for US Citizens: Due to a bilateral agreement, individual American travelers cannot apply for a single-entry $50 visa. You must select and pay for the $100 Multiple Entry Visa on the application portal, regardless of how long you plan to stay.
You can send your enquiry via the form below.
