⚠️ Important: Visa and Entry Rules Can Change
- Visa and entry rules can change without much notice. The Tanzania Immigration Services' own visa guidelines state that visa regulations and conditions may be subject to change at any time without prior notification to applicants.
- Travelers must verify requirements on the official Tanzania Immigration and eVisa websites before applying or traveling — not from blogs, forums, or this page alone.
- Wild Flip Safaris can help with itinerary details, accommodation confirmations, and trip planning documents, but final entry decisions are made by Tanzania Immigration authorities, not by us.
- Always use the official Tanzania eVisa portal linked below and avoid unofficial copycat websites that charge extra "service fees" or request unnecessary personal information.
🔗 Official Tanzania eVisa Portal
Quick Answer
Do tourists need a visa for Tanzania?
It depends on your nationality and passport. Here's the official picture:
- Tanzania operates an official online eVisa application system through the Tanzania Immigration Services website.
- The eVisa portal explicitly covers travel to the United Republic of Tanzania, including both Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar.
- Every eVisa application is internally reviewed by immigration authorities before approval or rejection.
- Some nationalities are visa-exempt, some may apply online or on arrival, and some fall under a referral visa category requiring advance approval — you'll need to confirm which category applies to you.
- Most tourists apply for the Ordinary (Single Entry) Visa, except U.S. passport holders, who are directed toward the Multiple Entry Visa category instead.
We're not including fixed visa fees, exact processing windows, or a full nationality-by-nationality breakdown on this page, because these details can be updated by Tanzania Immigration Services at any time. Please confirm current fees, validity periods, and your specific nationality category directly on the official eVisa guidelines page before applying.
Application Process
Official Tanzania eVisa Application Overview
This is a general overview of how the official process works, based on Tanzania Immigration Services' published guidelines. Always follow the live instructions on the official portal itself, as steps and screens may be updated.
1
Check whether you need a visa
Confirm your nationality's status — visa-exempt, eligible for online/on-arrival visa, or under the referral category — using the official guidelines.
2
Confirm passport validity and travel documents
Official guidance requires passports to have at least six months' validity and at least one unused visa page before you apply.
4
Choose the correct visa type
Most tourists select the Ordinary Visa; U.S. passport holders are directed to the Multiple Entry Visa category. If unsure, the official guidance recommends contacting Immigration directly before applying.
5
Complete the application carefully
Double-check every passport detail. Official guidance notes that once submitted, applications generally cannot be changed.
6
Upload required documents
This typically includes a passport bio-data page copy, a compliant passport-style photo, and a return ticket, with category-specific documents for other visa types.
7
Pay through the official system if required
According to official guidance, visa fees can be paid online by Visa or Mastercard directly within the secure government portal.
8
Wait for official email notification
You'll be notified by email whether your application is accepted or rejected, and you can track progress using your Application Identification Number.
9
Save and print approval documents
If you don't receive a notification in time, the official portal allows you to check and download your Visa Grant Notice directly.
10
Carry documents when traveling
Bring printed and digital copies of your visa approval, passport, and return ticket. Official guidance is clear that a Visa Grant Notice is not a final guarantee of entry — the immigration officer at the entry point makes the final decision.
Eligibility
Who Needs a Visa?
Visa requirements for Tanzania vary by nationality, so there's no single answer that applies to every traveler. Broadly, applicants fall into a few categories under official guidance:
✅
Visa-Exempt Nationalities
Certain nationality groups — including East African Community member states and most Commonwealth and SADC countries — do not require a visa to enter Tanzania, per official guidelines.
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Online or On-Arrival Eligible
Many nationalities can apply through the eVisa portal in advance or obtain a visa on arrival at an official entry point, though applying online in advance is officially recommended.
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Referral Visa Category
Some nationalities fall under a referral category requiring advance approval from the Commissioner General of Immigration and cannot use the on-arrival option, per official guidance.
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Special Cases (e.g. U.S. Passports)
Official guidance specifically directs U.S. passport holders visiting for tourism to apply for the Multiple Entry Visa rather than the Ordinary Visa used by most other tourists.
Families and groups should check each traveler individually — requirements can differ between family members of different nationalities. Children are not automatically covered by a parent's application: official guidance states that every passport holder, including minors listed on a parent's documents, must have their own visa application submitted separately. Always verify your exact category on the official eVisa guidelines page before booking flights or paying any fees.
Coverage
Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar
Zanzibar is part of the United Republic of Tanzania, and the official eVisa system reflects this directly: the government portal states that the online visa covers travel to the United Republic of Tanzania, including both Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar, within a single application.
If your trip includes both destinations — for example, a mainland safari followed by a Zanzibar beach extension — official guidance advises selecting whichever destination you'll visit first when filling out the application form. You'll then be permitted to visit the other location afterward without needing to apply for a separate visa.
Even with an approved eVisa, travelers arriving in Zanzibar still go through standard entry checks on arrival, similar to mainland entry points. Zanzibar may also have its own additional requirements for visitors, such as mandatory inbound travel insurance — but that topic is covered in full on our dedicated Travel Insurance page rather than here, to keep this guide focused purely on visa and entry rules.
Preparation
Documents Tourists May Need
Exact requirements depend on your visa category and nationality, but most tourist travelers should be ready with the following:
Avoid These Pitfalls
Common Visa Mistakes to Avoid
✗Using unofficial websites. Apply only through the official Tanzania eVisa portal — official guidance specifically warns against third-party links that mimic the government site.
✗Waiting until the last minute. Standard applications can take time to process, and referral-category applicants are advised to apply at least two months before travel.
✗Entering passport details incorrectly. Official guidance notes that submitted applications generally can't be edited afterward, so double-check every field.
✗Choosing the wrong visa type. Tourists generally need the Ordinary Visa, except U.S. passport holders, who require the Multiple Entry Visa — selecting the wrong category can cause rejection.
✗Ignoring referral visa rules. If your nationality falls under the referral category, on-arrival visas are not available to you without prior approval from the Commissioner General of Immigration.
✗Assuming all nationalities have the same requirements. Visa-exempt status, online eligibility, and referral status all vary by nationality — check your own passport's category specifically.
✗Forgetting to check transit country requirements. If your flights route through another country, check that country's own transit visa rules separately from Tanzania's.
✗Not saving or printing approval documents. Keep both digital and printed copies of your Visa Grant Notice — connectivity at entry points isn't always reliable.
✗Confusing visa rules with Zanzibar insurance rules. Your Tanzania visa and any Zanzibar-specific insurance requirement are two separate things — don't assume one covers the other.
What to Expect
Arrival in Tanzania
Once you land, you'll go through a standard sequence of entry procedures. Here's generally what to expect:
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Immigration Checks
You'll queue at an immigration desk where your passport and visa documents are reviewed.
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Passport / Visa Review
The immigration officer checks your passport validity, visa status, and Visa Grant Notice if applicable.
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Possible Questions
You may be asked about your itinerary, accommodation, available funds, or onward travel plans.
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Health Document Checks
If applicable to your travel history, a yellow fever certificate may be requested at this stage.
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Baggage & Customs
After immigration, you'll collect luggage and pass through standard customs screening.
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Meeting Your Guide
Once through, your Wild Flip Safaris guide or transfer driver will be waiting to welcome you.
Remember that, as official guidance states, holding a Visa Grant Notice is not an absolute guarantee of entry — the immigration officer at the point of entry makes the final decision based on whether you meet all entry requirements on the day.
Our Role
How Wild Flip Safaris Can Help
While the visa decision itself always rests with Tanzania Immigration authorities, our team can take care of the planning details that often come up during your application or on arrival:
✓ Confirming your safari itinerary in writing, in case it's requested as supporting documentation
✓ Providing lodge and hotel details for your accommodation records
✓ Planning and coordinating your arrival transfer to match your flight schedule
✓ Supplying tour operator contact details if your form or an immigration officer requests them
✓ Coordinating flight timing with your safari or Kilimanjaro start date
✓ Adding Zanzibar extension details to your itinerary if you're combining destinations
✓ Offering support and flexible planning if your arrival or visa approval is delayed
To be clear: Wild Flip Safaris cannot guarantee visa approval, expedite government processing, or influence an immigration officer's decision. Our role is to make sure your trip planning paperwork is in good order — the application and entry decision itself always belongs to Tanzania's immigration authorities.
Frequently Asked
Tanzania Visa FAQ
Do I need a visa for Tanzania?
It depends on your nationality. Some nationalities are visa-exempt, while most others need to apply for an Ordinary Visa (or, for U.S. passport holders, a Multiple Entry Visa) either online in advance or on arrival, depending on their category. Confirm your specific nationality's requirement on the official Tanzania eVisa guidelines page before you travel.
Can I apply for a Tanzania eVisa?
Yes, most eligible nationalities can apply online through the official Tanzania eVisa portal at visa.immigration.go.tz. Applying online in advance is the option officially recommended by Tanzania Immigration Services, rather than waiting to apply on arrival.
Is Zanzibar covered by the Tanzania visa?
Yes. The official eVisa system explicitly covers travel to the United Republic of Tanzania, including both Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar, under a single application. If your trip includes both, select whichever destination you'll visit first on the form.
Which website should I use for Tanzania eVisa?
Use only the official Tanzania Immigration Services website, visa.immigration.go.tz, or immigration.go.tz. Official guidance specifically warns against applying through any other online links, as unofficial copycat sites exist.
Can I get a visa on arrival in Tanzania?
Some nationalities can obtain a visa on arrival at an official entry point, though applying online in advance is officially recommended. Travelers under the referral visa category are not eligible for the on-arrival option and must apply online in advance. Confirm your category on the official guidelines page.
How long does Tanzania eVisa processing take?
Processing times can change and should be confirmed on the official eVisa portal at the time of your application. We'd rather point you to the live official guidance than quote a fixed number here, since immigration authorities can adjust processing times without notice.
What documents do I need for Tanzania entry?
Typically a valid passport (with at least six months' validity and a blank visa page), a passport-style photo, a return ticket, your visa or eVisa approval, and any supporting itinerary or accommodation details. See the documents table on this page, and confirm exact requirements for your visa category on the official guidelines page.
Do children need visas for Tanzania?
Children may have their own visa requirements depending on nationality. Official guidance specifies that every passport holder, including minors listed in a parent's application, must have their own separate visa application submitted. Check each child's requirement individually on the official eVisa guidelines page.
What if my eVisa is delayed?
If you don't receive an email notification within the expected timeframe, the official guidance advises following up directly with Tanzania Immigration Services by email or phone, and checking your Visa Grant Notice status through the official application status portal. Wild Flip Safaris can also offer flexible planning support if a delay affects your arrival.
Can Wild Flip Safaris help with visa documents?
Yes — we can provide itinerary confirmations, accommodation details, and tour operator contact information that may support your application. We cannot submit your visa application on your behalf, guarantee approval, or influence the immigration authority's decision.
Keep Planning
Related Planning Guides
A few other practical essentials are worth checking before you travel — covered in full detail on their own dedicated pages.
