Tanzania Visa on Arrival: Current Guidance
The safest way to get permission to enter Tanzania is to apply through the official e-Visa portal before you travel. Tanzania's current visa guidance still refers to visa on arrival for eligible nationalities, but travellers should not rely on airport processing unless an official source confirms their eligibility and entry point.
Use the e-Visa Unless You Have Official Confirmation
Visa rules can change by nationality, route, and port of entry. Airlines may also ask for proof of travel authorization before boarding. Apply online at visa.immigration.go.tz where possible and carry the grant notice when you travel.
Who May Be Eligible?
Tanzania separates travellers into several groups: visa-exempt nationalities, nationalities that can apply for an ordinary visa, and referral-visa nationalities that need pre-approval. The official visa guideline states that nationals listed as eligible for visa on arrival may also use the online visa system.
Because eligibility lists change, treat this page as planning guidance, not a guarantee of entry. Before departure, check the Tanzania Immigration Department, the official e-Visa portal, and the Tanzanian mission responsible for your country of residence.
- Visa-exempt travellers: Do not need a tourist visa, but still need a valid passport and may need health documents.
- Ordinary visa travellers: Should normally apply online for tourism, family visits, meetings, conferences, workshops, or short non-work visits.
- Referral visa travellers: Should not travel without approval because the application needs prior clearance.
- US passport holders: For tourism, Tanzania generally requires a multiple-entry visa rather than the ordinary single-entry visa.
Current Visa Fees
| Visa Type | Typical Fee | Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| Ordinary Visa | USD 50 | Tourism, family visits, conferences, short non-work visits |
| Multiple Entry Visa | USD 100 | Frequent visits, US tourist passport holders, approved multiple-entry cases |
| Transit Visa | USD 30 | Passing through Tanzania for up to seven days |
| Business Visa | USD 250 | Short professional assignments allowed under the business visa category |
Fees and categories should be confirmed on the official Tanzania Immigration or e-Visa websites before payment.
Documents to Prepare
Even if your nationality is accepted for visa on arrival, bring the same evidence you would need for an e-Visa application. Border officers can ask for supporting documents before issuing permission to enter.
- Passport valid for at least six months from the date of arrival
- At least one blank visa page, and preferably two blank pages
- Return or onward ticket
- Hotel booking, safari itinerary, or invitation letter from your host
- Evidence of sufficient funds for the stay
- Yellow fever certificate if arriving from or transiting through a yellow-fever-risk country
- Business invitation or assignment letter if travelling for business
Why the e-Visa Is Safer
The e-Visa gives you a written grant notice before travel and reduces the risk of airline or border problems. The official portal allows applicants to submit the form, pay online by Visa or Mastercard, and check application status using the reference number.
Submit the application early. Tanzania's own guidance asks applicants to lodge visa applications before travel and to wait for approval before beginning the journey. Referral categories can take longer because the application is reviewed by immigration authorities before a decision is issued.