Tanzania Passport Guide 2026

The Tanzania Immigration Department issues four categories of travel documents:

1. Ordinary Passport

The standard passport issued to Tanzanian citizens for general international travel. It is available in 32-page and 64-page formats. The ordinary passport is valid for 5 years for standard applicants and 10 years for applicants aged 16 and over (under recent policy updates). It is the most commonly issued Tanzanian travel document and is required for all private travel, tourism, business trips, and personal purposes abroad.

2. Diplomatic Passport

Issued to senior government officials, diplomats, and their immediate family members travelling on official government business. Diplomatic passport holders may enjoy visa-free entry or expedited processing in many countries under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. This passport is issued exclusively through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation and is not available to the general public.

3. Service (Official) Passport

Issued to government employees and public servants travelling abroad on official duties that do not qualify for diplomatic status. This includes civil servants, members of statutory bodies, and individuals representing the Tanzanian government at international conferences, training programmes, or bilateral meetings. Service passports are also issued through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

4. Emergency Travel Document (ETD)

A temporary travel document issued to Tanzanian citizens who are abroad and whose passport has been lost, stolen, or has expired and who need to travel urgently. ETDs are issued by Tanzanian embassies and high commissions abroad and are typically valid for a single journey back to Tanzania. The ETD is not a full passport and cannot be used for onward travel to third countries.

The following fees apply to passport applications processed through the Tanzania Immigration Department. Fees are payable in Tanzanian Shillings (TZS) for domestic applications and in US Dollars (USD) for applications made at embassies abroad.

Option 1: Online Application (Recommended)

1. Visit the Tanzania Immigration Services Department portal at immigration.go.tz
2. Create an account or log in to your existing account
3. Select "Passport Application" and choose your passport type
4. Fill in all personal information accurately as it appears on your birth certificate and national ID
5. Upload required documents (scanned copies in JPEG/PDF format)
6. Pay the application fee via GePG or mobile money
7. Book an appointment for biometric capture (fingerprints and photograph) at your nearest immigration office
8. Attend your appointment with original documents for verification
9. Collect your passport when notified (or opt for delivery where available)

Option 2: In-Person Application

1. Visit the nearest Regional Immigration Office or the headquarters in Dar es Salaam
2. Obtain and complete the passport application form (Form No. 1)
3. Submit all required documents with the completed form
4. Pay the fee at the designated bank or via mobile money
5. Provide biometric data (fingerprints and photograph) at the office
6. Receive a collection receipt with your expected collection date

Application from Abroad

Tanzanian citizens living abroad can apply through their nearest Tanzanian embassy or high commission. The process involves submitting the application form, supporting documents, and fees directly to the embassy. Biometric data is captured at the embassy, and the application is forwarded to Dar es Salaam for processing. Completed passports are returned to the embassy for collection or can be posted to the applicant (where offered).

• Birth Certificate: Original birth certificate issued by the Registration, Insolvency and Trusteeship Agency (RITA)
• National ID (NIDA): National Identity Card issued by the National Identification Authority
• Passport Photos: Two recent passport-size colour photographs (white background, 45mm x 35mm)
• Old Passport: Previous passport (if renewing or replacing) — must be surrendered
• Application Form: Completed passport application form (Form No. 1)
• Payment Receipt: Proof of fee payment through GePG or other accepted channel
• Police Report: Required only if replacing a lost or stolen passport
• Supporting Letter: For diplomatic and service passports, a letter from the employing ministry or government body

Processing times are estimates and may vary depending on application volume, completeness of documentation, and verification requirements. During peak periods (school holidays, Hajj season), processing may take longer.

You should renew your Tanzanian passport if it has expired, is about to expire within 6 months, has run out of blank pages, or is damaged. The renewal process is essentially the same as a new application:

1. Complete a new passport application (online or in person)
2. Submit your current passport (it will be cancelled and returned to you)
3. Provide updated photographs and biometric data
4. Pay the renewal fee (same as new application fee)
5. Collect your new passport when ready

If your Tanzanian passport is lost or stolen, take the following steps immediately:

If Lost/Stolen in Tanzania:

1. Report to the police: File a report at the nearest police station and obtain a police report (reference number and stamped copy)
2. Report to Immigration: Notify the Immigration Department in writing, providing the police report, your passport number (if known), and the circumstances of loss
3. Apply for a replacement: Submit a new passport application with the police report, an affidavit (sworn statement), and all standard application documents
4. Pay the replacement fee: A higher fee applies for replacement passports (250,000 TZS)

If Lost/Stolen Abroad:

1. Report to local police: Obtain a police report in the country where the loss occurred
2. Contact the nearest Tanzanian embassy or high commission: Report the loss and request an Emergency Travel Document (ETD) if you need to travel urgently
3. Apply for a replacement passport: Submit the application through the embassy with the local police report and an affidavit
4. If no embassy nearby: Contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Dar es Salaam directly for guidance

Children under 18 years of age require their own passport for international travel. Tanzania does not endorse children travelling on a parent's passport.

Additional Requirements for Minors:

• Birth certificate showing both parents' names
• Consent of both parents: Both parents or legal guardians must sign the application form. If one parent is absent, a court order or notarised consent letter from the absent parent is required
• Parents' identification: Copies of both parents' national IDs or passports
• Custody documents: If applicable, a court order granting custody must accompany the application
• Accompanying adult details: Information about who will be travelling with the child

You can track the status of your passport application through the following methods:

• Online: Log in to your account on the Immigration Department portal and check your application status
• SMS: Some regional offices offer SMS notifications when your passport is ready for collection
• In person: Visit the immigration office where you submitted your application and enquire at the collection desk
• Embassy applications: Contact the embassy directly by phone or email for status updates

Keep your application receipt safe as it contains the reference number needed for tracking. If your application has been pending beyond the expected processing time, contact the immigration office directly for an update.