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Tanzania Visa on Arrival — ABOLISHED January 2025
Tanzania No Longer Offers Visa on Arrival
Effective January 30, 2025, the Government of Tanzania abolished visa on arrival at all ports of entry. This applies to all international airports, land border crossings, and seaports throughout mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar.
All visitors must now apply for an e-Visa before travelling. You will be denied boarding or entry if you arrive without a pre-approved e-Visa.
How to Apply for a Tanzania e-Visa
All visitors who previously used visa on arrival must now apply online through the official Tanzania e-Visa portal:
Application Steps:
- Visit visa.immigration.go.tz and create an account
- Select your visa type (tourist, business, or transit)
- Complete the application form with your personal and travel details
- Upload required documents (passport copy, photo, flight itinerary, accommodation proof)
- Pay the visa fee online by credit or debit card (Visa/Mastercard)
- Wait for processing (3-10 business days)
- Receive your e-Visa grant notice by email
- Print the grant notice and carry it when travelling
Apply early: Processing takes 3-10 business days. Apply at least 2 weeks before your travel date to allow for any delays. Referral visa categories may take up to 6 weeks.
e-Visa Fees (Replacing Former VOA Fees)
| Visa Type | Fee (USD) | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| Single Entry (most nationalities) | $50 | Up to 90 days |
| Multiple Entry | $100 | Up to 12 months |
| Transit Visa | $30 | Up to 7 days |
US Citizens: American passport holders must obtain a multiple entry visa at $100, regardless of purpose or length of stay.
Fees are the same as the former visa on arrival fees. Payment is now made online by credit/debit card during the e-Visa application.
Why Was Visa on Arrival Abolished?
The Tanzania Immigration Department abolished visa on arrival to:
- Improve security screening: Pre-arrival vetting allows authorities to screen travellers before they reach Tanzania
- Reduce border congestion: Long queues at airports caused delays and a poor arrival experience for tourists
- Modernise immigration: The e-Visa system aligns Tanzania with global digital visa trends
- Speed up entry: Travellers with pre-approved e-Visas move through immigration faster
Documents Required for e-Visa
- Valid passport: Must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your entry date with at least 2 blank pages
- Passport-size photo: Recent colour photo (JPEG/PNG, max 300KB, different from passport photo)
- Passport bio page scan: Clear copy (JPEG/PNG, max 300KB)
- Flight itinerary: Proof of return or onward travel (PDF format)
- Accommodation proof: Hotel booking confirmation or host invitation letter
- Yellow fever vaccination certificate: Required if arriving from or transiting through a yellow fever endemic country
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Tanzania abolished visa on arrival on January 30, 2025. All visitors must now apply for an e-Visa in advance at visa.immigration.go.tz. You will not be able to obtain a visa at the airport, land border, or seaport.
You will be denied entry and may be placed on the next return flight at your own expense. Airlines may also deny boarding at your departure airport if you cannot show a valid e-Visa. Always apply online before travelling.
Tanzania officially abolished visa on arrival on January 30, 2025. From that date, the e-Visa became the only way to obtain a visa for Tanzania. The fees remain the same: $50 for single entry, $100 for multiple entry, and $30 for transit.
Standard e-Visa applications are processed within 3-10 business days. Referral visa categories can take up to 6 weeks. Apply well in advance of your travel date. You can check your application status at visa.immigration.go.tz/checkapplicationstatus.
Yes. Zanzibar is part of the United Republic of Tanzania. The e-Visa requirement applies to all entry points including Abeid Amani Karume International Airport in Zanzibar. Your Tanzania e-Visa covers both mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar.
Yes. Citizens of East African Community (EAC) member states and certain other countries are exempt from visa requirements entirely. See our visa-free countries list for details. All other nationalities must apply for an e-Visa.
Key Change
Abolished: January 30, 2025
Replaced by: e-Visa (online only)
Apply at: visa.immigration.go.tz
Processing: 3-10 business days
e-Visa Fees
- Single Entry: $50
- Multiple Entry: $100
- Transit: $30
- US Citizens: $100 (multiple entry only)