Getting your Tanzania visa sorted is one of those pre-travel tasks that sounds more complicated than it actually is. The process is straightforward, the fees are reasonable, and for most nationalities the whole thing can be done from your sofa — weeks before you even pack your bag.
That said, visa requirements do change, and arriving at Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam or Kilimanjaro International Airport without the right documentation is not an experience anyone wants. So let us walk you through exactly what you need to know — clearly, honestly, and without the bureaucratic fog that surrounds most official guidance.
At Northern Masailand Safaris, we help our guests navigate every detail of their Tanzania journey — including the paperwork that gets them through the door. This guide covers the Tanzania e-Visa, visa on arrival, visa-exempt countries, East Africa Tourist Visa, and everything else you need to arrive prepared.
Do You Need a Visa to Visit Tanzania?
Most nationalities require a visa to enter Tanzania. There are three ways to obtain one: the Tanzania e-Visa (applied for online before travel), a visa on arrival at designated entry points, or — for a small number of nationalities — no visa at all.
Tanzania strongly encourages travellers to apply for an e-Visa in advance rather than relying on visa on arrival. Processing at the airport can be slow, queues can be long, and the e-Visa process takes most of the uncertainty out of the equation. We recommend applying at least three to four weeks before your departure date.
The Tanzania e-Visa: Step by Step
The Tanzania e-Visa is applied for online through the official Tanzanian Immigration portal at immigration.go.tz. The process is entirely digital — no embassy visit, no physical queue, no need to surrender your passport.
How to Apply
- Visit the official Tanzania Immigration portal at immigration.go.tz
- Create an account and complete the online application form
- Upload the required documents (see list below)
- Pay the visa fee online by credit or debit card
- Receive your e-Visa approval by email — typically within 3 to 10 business days
- Print your e-Visa approval letter and carry it with your passport
Documents Required for the e-Visa Application
- A valid passport with at least six months validity beyond your intended departure date from Tanzania, and at least one blank page for the entry stamp
- A recent, clear passport-style photograph (digital, uploaded during the application)
- Proof of onward or return travel (your flight booking confirmation)
- Proof of accommodation in Tanzania (your hotel, lodge, or safari camp booking — we provide this for all Northern Masailand Safaris guests)
- Yellow Fever vaccination certificate (required if travelling from a Yellow Fever endemic country)
- A valid credit or debit card to pay the visa fee
e-Visa Processing Times
| Application Type | Typical Processing Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard e-Visa | 3 – 10 business days | Apply at least 3–4 weeks before travel to allow buffer time |
| Urgent e-Visa | 1 – 3 business days | Higher fee applies; not guaranteed — apply standard where possible |
| Visa on Arrival | Same day (at port of entry) | Available at major airports and border crossings; queue times vary |
Note: Processing times are indicative and subject to change. We recommend applying as early as possible to avoid any last-minute complications.
Tanzania Visa Types and Fees
Tanzania offers several visa categories depending on the purpose and duration of your visit. For safari travellers, the standard Tourist Visa covers everything you’ll need.
| Visa Type | Duration of Stay | Single/Multiple Entry | Fee (USD) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tourist Visa – Single Entry | Up to 90 days | Single entry | $50 | Most safari visitors; straightforward Tanzania-only trips |
| Tourist Visa – Multiple Entry | Up to 90 days per visit | Multiple entries within 12 months | $100 | Visitors crossing into Kenya or other neighbours and returning to Tanzania |
| Transit Visa | Up to 7 days | Single entry | $30 | Travellers passing through Tanzania en route to another destination |
| East Africa Tourist Visa | 90 days | Multiple entries across Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda | $100 | Multi-country East Africa itineraries (see below) |
| Gratis (Free) Visa | Up to 90 days | Single entry | Free | Nationals of visa-exempt countries (see table below) |
All fees are payable in USD. Fees are correct at the time of writing but subject to change — always verify current fees on the official Tanzania Immigration portal before applying.
Visa-Exempt Countries: No Visa Required
Nationals of the following countries do not require a visa to enter Tanzania and may enter freely for the permitted period. This list is subject to change — always confirm your country’s current status before travelling.
| Country | Permitted Stay |
|---|---|
| Antigua and Barbuda | Up to 90 days |
| Bahamas | Up to 90 days |
| Barbados | Up to 90 days |
| Belize | Up to 90 days |
| Burundi | Up to 90 days |
| Comoros | Up to 90 days |
| Cyprus | Up to 90 days |
| Dominica | Up to 90 days |
| Fiji | Up to 90 days |
| Grenada | Up to 90 days |
| Hong Kong (SAR) | Up to 90 days |
| Jamaica | Up to 90 days |
| Kenya | Up to 90 days |
| Lesotho | Up to 90 days |
| Madagascar | Up to 90 days |
| Malawi | Up to 90 days |
| Malaysia | Up to 90 days |
| Maldives | Up to 90 days |
| Mauritius | Up to 90 days |
| Mozambique | Up to 90 days |
| Namibia | Up to 90 days |
| Rwanda | Up to 90 days |
| Saint Kitts and Nevis | Up to 90 days |
| Saint Lucia | Up to 90 days |
| Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | Up to 90 days |
| Samoa | Up to 90 days |
| Seychelles | Up to 90 days |
| Singapore | Up to 90 days |
| Solomon Islands | Up to 90 days |
| Swaziland (Eswatini) | Up to 90 days |
| Tonga | Up to 90 days |
| Trinidad and Tobago | Up to 90 days |
| Uganda | Up to 90 days |
| Vanuatu | Up to 90 days |
| Zambia | Up to 90 days |
| Zimbabwe | Up to 90 days |
This list is indicative and subject to change. Always verify your country’s current visa status with the official Tanzania Immigration portal or your nearest Tanzanian embassy before travelling.
Visa on Arrival: What You Need to Know
If you did not apply for an e-Visa in advance, visa on arrival is available at the following major entry points in Tanzania:
- Julius Nyerere International Airport, Dar es Salaam
- Kilimanjaro International Airport, Arusha
- Abeid Amani Karume International Airport, Zanzibar
- Namanga Border Post (Tanzania–Kenya land border)
- Holili/Taveta Border Post (Tanzania–Kenya)
- Tunduma Border Post (Tanzania–Zambia)
- Mutukula Border Post (Tanzania–Uganda)
Visa on arrival fees are the same as e-Visa fees ($50 for a single-entry tourist visa) and must be paid in cash USD. Carry exact or near-exact change — change is not always available at border posts.
We always recommend the e-Visa for our guests. Kilimanjaro International Airport serves as the main arrival point for Northern Circuit safari travellers, and queues at the visa on arrival desk can be long during peak season, particularly on busy arrival days. Arriving with your e-Visa approval letter means you clear immigration faster and reach your vehicle — and your guide — sooner.
The East Africa Tourist Visa: The Smart Choice for Multi-Country Travel
If your East Africa adventure extends beyond Tanzania’s borders — which we warmly encourage — the East Africa Tourist Visa (EATV) is one of the best travel deals in the region. For a single fee of $100, it grants multiple-entry access across Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda for 90 days.
Note that Tanzania is not currently part of the East Africa Tourist Visa scheme. If your itinerary includes Tanzania alongside Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda, you will need a separate Tanzania visa plus the EATV — but the combined cost is still excellent value for what is often a trip of an entire lifetime.
| Scenario | Visas Required | Approximate Total Visa Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Tanzania only | Tanzania Tourist Visa | $50 |
| Tanzania + Kenya | Tanzania Multiple Entry Visa | $100 |
| Kenya + Uganda + Rwanda only | East Africa Tourist Visa | $100 |
| Tanzania + Kenya + Uganda + Rwanda | Tanzania Tourist Visa + East Africa Tourist Visa | $150 |
For guests combining a Serengeti safari with the Masai Mara in Kenya, or adding gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda or Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, we handle all cross-border logistics as part of your itinerary. You don’t navigate border crossings alone — we plan every step. Start planning your multi-country trip here.
Zanzibar: Does It Require a Separate Visa?
This is one of the most common questions we receive, and the answer is reassuringly simple: no. Zanzibar is a semi-autonomous region of Tanzania but falls under the same visa arrangements. Your Tanzania visa — whether e-Visa, visa on arrival, or visa-exempt entry — covers travel to Zanzibar.
You will, however, go through a brief immigration check when travelling between mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar’s white sand beaches, either by domestic flight or ferry. Carry your passport and visa documentation with you for this crossing — it is a formality, but it is required.
Kilimanjaro Climbing and Visa Considerations
If your Tanzania visit includes a Kilimanjaro climb, your standard Tanzania Tourist Visa covers the entire trip — no additional permit or visa is required for the mountain itself. The Kilimanjaro National Park climbing permit is a separate document arranged by your operator (us) and is included in your climb package.
The most important visa consideration for Kilimanjaro climbers is duration. A standard tourist visa grants 90 days — more than sufficient for any climb itinerary. However, if you’re combining a longer Kilimanjaro route such as the Northern Circuit Route (9 days on the mountain) with a post-summit safari and beach time, your total trip could easily run three to four weeks. Plan your visa application dates accordingly and ensure your passport validity extends well beyond your return date.
Our most popular Kilimanjaro routes — the Lemosho Route, Machame Route, Rongai Route, and Marangu Route — all fall comfortably within a standard 90-day visa window.
Key Visa Rules and Things Not to Overlook
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Passport validity | Must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned departure from Tanzania |
| Blank passport pages | At least one full blank page required for the entry stamp |
| Yellow Fever certificate | Required if arriving from a Yellow Fever endemic country; carry the physical yellow card |
| Return or onward ticket | Immigration officers may request proof of onward travel at entry |
| Proof of accommodation | Lodge or safari camp confirmation may be requested — we provide this for all our guests |
| Sufficient funds | You may be asked to demonstrate sufficient funds for your stay ($50 per day is a common benchmark) |
| Visa on arrival payment | Cash USD only; exact or near-exact change preferred |
| Children travelling | Children require their own passport and visa; unaccompanied minors require additional documentation |
Common Visa Mistakes to Avoid
- Applying too late. The e-Visa takes up to 10 business days in standard processing. Apply at least three to four weeks before travel and give yourself a buffer. Do not rely on urgent processing to bail you out.
- Using a third-party visa service unnecessarily. The official Tanzania Immigration portal is straightforward. Many third-party services charge inflated fees to do what you can do yourself in 20 minutes. Always use the official government site.
- Not checking passport validity. A passport with less than six months validity beyond your departure date will get you turned away at check-in — before you even reach Tanzania. Check it now.
- Forgetting the Yellow Fever certificate. If your country requires one, this is a hard entry requirement. A digital photo on your phone is not sufficient — carry the original physical certificate.
- Assuming a single-entry visa covers a Kenya border crossing. If your itinerary crosses into Kenya and returns to Tanzania — as many Great Migration safari itineraries do — you will need a multiple-entry Tanzania visa, not a single-entry one.
- Not printing the e-Visa approval. Download and print your e-Visa confirmation. Immigration officers at Tanzanian airports require the physical printout, not just a digital version on your phone screen.
We Handle the Details So You Don’t Have To
Visa paperwork is rarely anyone’s favourite part of planning a safari. At Northern Masailand Safaris, we provide every guest with a comprehensive pre-departure document that covers exactly what visa you need, how to apply, what to bring, and what to expect at the border. We also supply all the accommodation confirmation letters and booking documentation that the e-Visa process and immigration officers require.
From the moment you get in touch with us to the moment your guide meets you at the airport, every practical detail is handled. You focus on the anticipation. We handle the administration.
Whether your Tanzania journey takes you through the Serengeti and Ngorongoro, up the slopes of Kilimanjaro, across to the white sands of Zanzibar, or through a multi-country adventure into Uganda and Rwanda — your visa is the first step. Let’s make sure it’s sorted properly, so the only thing on your mind when you land is what the guide will show you first.
Read our frequently asked questions for more pre-departure guidance, explore your options on our trip planning page, or contact our team directly. We’re ready when you are.