Tanzania Visa Services and Requirements
Most travellers who need a Tanzania visa should start with the official e-Visa portal. Tanzanian embassies and high commissions can still help with visa questions, referral cases, document clarification, and applicants who are unable to complete the online process.
Which Route Should You Use?
| Situation | Best Route | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Tourism, safari, Zanzibar, family visit, conference | Official e-Visa | Online submission, online payment, written grant notice before travel |
| Nationality appears in referral category | e-Visa before travel, with extra time | Referral applications need clearance before a visa can be issued |
| Business assignment, repair work, auditing, short professional task | Business visa route | Business visitors need documents explaining the assignment and host company |
| Passport/document issue, uncertainty, or rejected application | Embassy or high commission | A mission can clarify local submission rules and official contact channels |
| Transit through Tanzania only | Transit visa if leaving airside or required by route | Transit visas are for short onward travel, not tourism stays |
Official Visa Categories and Fees
The official Tanzania visa guideline lists these common visa categories and fees. Embassy service charges, courier fees, bank charges, or local appointment fees can vary, so confirm the final amount before submission.
| Visa Type | Official Fee | Typical Purpose | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ordinary Visa | USD 50 | Tourism, family visits, meetings, conferences, workshops | Up to 90 days |
| Multiple Entry Visa | USD 100 | Frequent travel and categories approved for multiple entry | Up to 12 months |
| Business Visa | USD 250 | Short assignments such as repairs, training, auditing, or professional tasks | Up to 90 days |
| Transit Visa | USD 30 | Passing through Tanzania to another destination | Up to 7 days |
US passport holders travelling for tourism are generally directed to the multiple-entry visa category.
Documents Usually Required
- Passport: valid for at least six months from the planned date of arrival, with a blank page for entry stamps.
- Passport bio-data page: clear scan or photo for online applications.
- Recent passport photo: follow the e-Visa portal's current upload format and file-size requirements.
- Return or onward ticket: showing planned departure from Tanzania or onward travel.
- Accommodation or host details: hotel booking, safari itinerary, invitation letter, or host address.
- Purpose documents: business invitation, assignment letter, conference invitation, or student documents where relevant.
- Health documentation: yellow fever certificate if arriving from or transiting through a yellow-fever-risk country.
- Payment method: Visa or Mastercard for e-Visa applications; embassies may use different local payment methods.
Timing and Referral Cases
Tanzania advises applicants to submit visa applications before their expected travel date and to wait for the grant notice before beginning the journey. Routine e-Visa applications are commonly handled within the portal's stated processing window, but referral visa applications can take longer because they require additional clearance.
If your nationality is in a referral category, do not rely on last-minute travel. Apply early, keep copies of all supporting documents, and contact the nearest Tanzanian mission if your case is urgent or unclear.
When to Contact an Embassy
Embassies are most useful when your situation is not a standard tourist e-Visa application. Contact the mission responsible for your country if you have a rejected application, a passport issue, a referral nationality, a diplomatic or official passport, a special assignment, or a document that needs consular review before travel.
For ordinary tourism, the embassy will usually direct you to the official e-Visa portal. For urgent travel, use the official contact details of the mission and avoid unofficial visa agents that promise guaranteed approvals.