Tanzania Visa on Arrival 2026

Tanzania offers visa on arrival (VOA) for citizens of most countries at all international airports and major land border crossings. While the e-Visa is recommended for faster processing, the visa on arrival remains a convenient option for travellers who have not applied in advance.

Recommendation: While visa on arrival is available, the Tanzania e-Visa is strongly recommended. It avoids queues at the airport, provides advance confirmation, and speeds up immigration processing. Apply at least 10 days before travel.

Visa on Arrival Fees

Visa TypeFee (USD)Validity
Single Entry (most nationalities)$50Up to 90 days
Multiple Entry (US citizens only)$100Up to 12 months
Transit Visa$30Up to 7 days
US Citizens: American passport holders must obtain a multiple entry visa at $100. Single entry visas are not available for US citizens.

Payment is accepted in USD cash only at most border points. Some airports accept Visa/Mastercard. Bring exact change in clean, undamaged US dollar bills (2013 series or newer).

Required Documents

  • Valid passport: Must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your entry date with at least 2 blank pages.
  • Return/onward ticket: Proof of a return flight or onward travel from Tanzania.
  • Accommodation proof: Hotel booking confirmation or host's invitation letter.
  • Yellow fever vaccination certificate: Required if arriving from or transiting through a yellow fever endemic country (most of Africa, South America).
  • Visa fee in USD cash: $50 or $100 depending on nationality.
  • Passport-size photo: One recent photo (some immigration posts may take one digitally).

Where You Can Get Visa on Arrival

International Airports

  • Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR) - Dar es Salaam (busiest entry point)
  • Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) - Arusha/Moshi (safari gateway)
  • Abeid Amani Karume Airport (ZNZ) - Zanzibar

Major Land Borders

  • Namanga - Tanzania/Kenya border (busiest land crossing)
  • Holili/Taveta - Tanzania/Kenya
  • Tunduma - Tanzania/Zambia
  • Kasumulu - Tanzania/Malawi
  • Rusumo - Tanzania/Rwanda
  • Mutukula - Tanzania/Uganda

Seaports

  • Dar es Salaam Port
  • Zanzibar Port (for ferry arrivals from Dar es Salaam, already in Tanzania)

Step-by-Step Arrival Process

Collect the Application Form

At the airport, pick up a visa application form before joining the immigration queue. Forms are available at desks near the immigration hall. Fill it out completely before reaching the counter.

Join the Visa Queue

Join the "Visa on Arrival" line, separate from the line for pre-approved e-Visa holders and Tanzanian/EAC nationals. Wait times vary from 15 minutes to 2 hours depending on flight arrivals.

Present Documents and Pay

Hand over your passport, completed form, and supporting documents. Pay the fee in USD cash. The officer will process your visa, take your fingerprints, and stamp your passport.

Check Your Visa Stamp

Before leaving the counter, verify the visa stamp shows the correct entry date, permitted stay duration, and number of entries. Report any errors immediately.

Who Cannot Get Visa on Arrival

Citizens of certain countries require a referral visa and cannot use the visa on arrival service. These applications must be submitted in advance and are forwarded to the Immigration Department in Dar es Salaam for approval. Countries include:

  • Nigeria
  • Somalia
  • Afghanistan
  • Bangladesh
  • Palestine
  • Pakistan (some categories)

Citizens of these countries should apply through the e-Visa system or a Tanzania embassy well in advance of travel.

Frequently Asked Questions

The e-Visa is recommended. It costs the same ($50) but saves time at the airport. With an e-Visa, you go straight to the regular immigration line instead of the often-longer visa on arrival queue. Apply online at least 10 days before travel.

At major international airports (DAR, JRO, ZNZ), card payment is increasingly accepted but not always guaranteed. Carry USD cash as a backup. At land borders, cash is typically the only option.

Yes. Visit the Immigration Department in Dar es Salaam or any regional immigration office to apply for a visa extension before your current visa expires. Extensions are not guaranteed and require payment of an additional fee.

Wait times vary from 15 minutes to 2 hours depending on how many flights arrive simultaneously. Julius Nyerere Airport (DAR) and Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO) tend to have the longest waits during peak tourist season (July-October and December-January).

A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required if you are arriving from or transiting through a yellow fever endemic country. This includes most of sub-Saharan Africa and parts of South America. Direct arrivals from Europe, North America, or Asia are generally exempt. The vaccine must be given at least 10 days before arrival.

Quick Facts

  • Fee: $50 (single entry)
  • US Citizens: $100 (multiple entry)
  • Stay: Up to 90 days
  • Payment: USD cash preferred
  • Available: All international airports

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