
Tanzania Visa and Immigration
Getting to Tanzania - Visa - Airports - Immigration
A visa is a permission granted to a foreigner to enter and remain in the United Republic of Tanzania for a specific period of time. A visa is issued to a visitor who intends to enter into Tanzania for the purpose of visit, tourism, leisure, holiday, business, health treatment, attending conference or any other related activities recognised by Laws of the country.
Types of Visas in Tanzania
Single entry Visa
This Visa is issued for a single entry to a visitor for a period not exceeding three months for the purpose of holidays, visiting, leisure, health treatment, studies or any other activity legally recognized by the Law. Emails us for Qns
Multiple entre Visa
This visa may be issued to foreign visitors who come for Official visits, Government Missions, family re-union or any other circumstances as may be determined by the Office of the Commissioner General of Immigration.
Transit Visa
This Visa may be issued to foreign nationals for the purpose of transiting through to another destination outside the United Republic for a period not exceeding seven days. You may be required to provide prove of a tour.
Gratis/Business Visa
Gratis: It may be issued to such foreign expatriates so as to allow them to enter in Tanzania for business purpose. Business Visa: This visa may be issued to those expatriates who wish to come for short-term assignments .
Requirements for Visa
Requirements for a Visa (Tanzania Visa and Immigration Service) depends on the type of Visa as indicated below:
Single Entry Visa
- #1. Applicant’s valid passport (At least 6 months);
- #2. Visa application form dully filled in;
- #3. Declaration form dully filled in
- #4. Respective visa Fee;
- #5. 2 passport size photographs ( for those lodging their applications through embassies).
Multiple Visa
- #1. Visa application form duly filled in;
- #2. Security Bond duly filled;
- #3. Valid passport copy of the invitee;
- #4. Three passport size photographs;
- #5. Copy of the valid Passport or any other identity (For a host citizen of Tanzania);
- #6. Documents of the Company like TIN, VAT, Registration Certificate, Certificates, & Memorandum.
- #7. Any other evidence to prove that the applicant is bound to travel frequently into Tanzania.
Transit Visa
- #1. Copy of the applicant’s valid passport;
- #2. An entry visa or onward ticket to the intended country of destination;
- #3. Respective visa fee;
- #4. 2 passport size photographs ( for those lodging their applications through embassies).
Business Visa
- #1. A valid passport
- #2. A work contract or invitation letter or any proof of the work/assignment.
- #3. Respective visa fee.
TANZANIA AIRPORT TRANSFER SERVICE
Applying for Visa Online
Since November 2018, an official tourist visa can be applied for online https://eservices.immigration.go.tz/visa (Tanzania Visa and Immigration Service)
This is the only official website. Please only use this website for your visa application! Other companies or agencies are far more expensive and I even heard of cases were applicants lost the money they paid.
NB: The new e-visa facility is still in its infancy. According to posts on Tripadvisor people still didn’t get their e-visa 2 weeks after applying and paying for it. Email queries are not replied to. It might be better for the time being to apply for your visa on arrival.
You can also get your visa for stays of up to 3 months on arrival at the Zanzibar International Airport*. They are equipped with cameras and laser fingerprint check. You need a valid passport and the completed visa form to apply for it. The visa costs US$ 50 per person (adults and children), for US citizens US$ 100. Immigration is open day and night.
*Some rumours are floating around that visa can only be applied for online and that the visa facility on arrival at the airport was closed. This is not true. The visa application facility on arrival is still open and there are no plans to close it! (September 2020)
Payment for the visa is in cash or by credit card**. If you bring cash, they apparently only accept US$ 50 notes, new notes only (US$ notes 2013 or after). No other currencies are accepted, only US$!
**As per feedback received from tourists, sometimes the counter for the credit card payments is closed. And every other day, US$ cash is not accepted, only credit cards… Rather bring both, credit card and US$ cash, just in case.