Tanzania Transit Visa 2026
A Tanzania transit visa is for travellers who are passing through Tanzania en route to another destination. It allows a short stay of up to 72 hours (3 days) and is significantly cheaper than a standard tourist or business visa. If you are connecting through a Tanzanian airport or crossing through the country by land to reach a neighbouring country, a transit visa may be what you need.
Transit Visa Fees
| Visa Type | Fee (USD) | Maximum Stay | Entries |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single Transit Visa | $30 | 72 hours (3 days) | 1 transit |
| Tourist Visa (comparison) | $50 | 90 days | 1 entry |
| Business Visa (comparison) | $100 | 90 days | 1 entry |
US citizens are not eligible for transit visas and must obtain the standard multiple entry visa ($100) even for transit purposes.
Who Needs a Transit Visa?
You need a transit visa if you:
- Are passing through Tanzania by land to reach another country (e.g., crossing from Kenya to Malawi via Tanzania)
- Have a connecting flight that requires you to exit the international transit area and pass through immigration
- Need to collect luggage and re-check for a domestic or international connection
- Have a long layover and wish to leave the airport to explore the city
Who Does NOT Need a Transit Visa?
- Airside Transit: If you remain in the international transit area of the airport without passing through immigration, you generally do not need a transit visa
- Visa-Free Nationalities: Citizens of countries that do not require a visa to enter Tanzania (e.g., most EAC countries, some SADC countries)
- US Citizens: Cannot get a transit visa - must obtain a standard multiple entry visa ($100)
- Visa-Free for Tourism: If your nationality allows visa-free entry for tourism, you don't need a transit visa for brief stops
Required Documents
| Document | Details |
|---|---|
| Valid Passport | At least 6 months validity, 2 blank pages |
| Passport Photo | Recent digital photo for e-Visa application |
| Onward Ticket | Confirmed ticket to your final destination departing within 72 hours |
| Visa for Destination | Valid visa for your final destination country (if required) |
| Yellow Fever Certificate | If arriving from an endemic country |
| Travel Itinerary | Showing your transit route and timing |
How to Apply
Apply Online (Recommended)
Visit visa.immigration.go.tz, create an account, and select "Transit Visa" as the visa type. Fill in your details, upload documents, and pay $30 online. Processing takes 3-10 business days.
At the Embassy
You can also apply at a Tanzania embassy or high commission in your country. Bring all required documents and the fee in the format accepted by the embassy.
On Arrival (Land Borders)
Transit visas can be issued on arrival at major border crossings and airports for eligible nationalities. Have your onward ticket and all documents ready.
Transit Through Tanzanian Airports
Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR) - Dar es Salaam
The main international airport. If you have a connecting flight on the same airline and don't need to collect luggage, you may be able to transit airside without a visa. However:
- If you need to collect and re-check luggage, you must pass through immigration and need a transit visa
- If your layover exceeds 24 hours, a transit visa is strongly recommended
- Terminal changes may require passing through immigration
Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO)
Located between Arusha and Moshi. Smaller airport with limited transit facilities. Most connecting passengers need to pass through immigration.
Abeid Amani Karume Airport (ZNZ) - Zanzibar
All arriving passengers pass through immigration. There is no airside transit facility. You will need a visa (transit or tourist) for any stop in Zanzibar.
Transit Visa vs Tourist Visa
| Feature | Transit Visa | Tourist Visa |
|---|---|---|
| Fee | $30 | $50 |
| Maximum Stay | 72 hours | 90 days |
| Purpose | Passing through to another country | Tourism, visiting friends/family |
| Can You Sightsee? | Limited - only during your transit period | Yes, fully |
| Extension | Not extendable | Extendable at Immigration |
| Best For | Quick land crossing, short layover | Any visit over 72 hours |
Tip: If your transit involves any sightseeing, safari, or beach time, get a tourist visa instead. The $20 difference gives you 90 days instead of 72 hours and much more flexibility.
Transit Visa for Indian Nationals
Indian nationals frequently transit through Tanzania, especially on routes to/from Southern and East Africa:
- Eligibility: Indian nationals are eligible for the transit visa
- Fee: $30 (same as all nationalities)
- Common Routes: India to Malawi, Zambia, or Mozambique via Dar es Salaam; India to Kenya/Uganda via Kilimanjaro
- Application: Apply online before travel. Transit visa on arrival is possible but apply in advance for certainty.
- Alternative: If planning to explore Tanzania at all, get a tourist visa ($50) for much more flexibility
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick Facts
- Fee: $30
- Duration: 72 hours max
- Entries: Single transit
- Apply: visa.immigration.go.tz
- US Citizens: Not eligible (need $100 MRV)
- On Arrival: Available