Planning a Serengeti safari, a climb of Kilimanjaro, or a beach stay in Zanzibar? Getting your Tanzania visa sorted is the first practical step. Tanzania requires a visa for most international visitors, and while the process is entirely online, a few key requirements particularly around yellow fever , catch travellers off guard. This guide covers every Tanzania visa option for 2027: who needs one, how to apply, what it costs, and what to expect at the border.
Do You Need a Tanzania Visa?
Tanzania requires a visa for the majority of international visitors. Citizens of East African Community (EAC) member states, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, and the DRC, may enter Tanzania without a visa under regional agreements. A handful of other countries also enjoy visa-free access based on bilateral treaties.
For most visitors including those from the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Australia, Canada, and most other nations, a valid Tanzania visa is required. The Tanzania eVisa system makes the application process fast and fully online.
Tanzania Visa Types
Single Entry Tourist Visa
The standard Tanzania visa for most holiday visitors. Allows one entry and a stay of up to 90 days. Cost: USD 50. This covers the vast majority of safari and Zanzibar visitors.
Multiple Entry Visa
For travellers who will cross in and out of Tanzania more than once — typically those on multi-country overland itineraries. Cost: USD 100. Valid for 12 months with multiple entries, each stay up to 90 days.
Transit Visa
For travellers transiting through Tanzania without leaving the airport transit zone. Cost: USD 30. Valid for 7 days.
Does Tanzania Have an East Africa Tourist Visa?
No. Tanzania is not part of the East Africa Tourist Visa (EATV) that covers Uganda, Kenya, and Rwanda. If your itinerary includes Tanzania alongside any of those three countries, you need a separate Tanzania visa in addition to the EATV. See our guides to the Kenya Tourist Visa, Uganda Visa, and Rwanda Visa for the other countries.
How to Apply for a Tanzania Visa Online
Tanzania processes all tourist visas through its official e-immigration portal. The application is completed entirely online — no embassy visit, no paper form, no posting of your passport.
- Visit the Tanzania e-immigration portal — go to immigration.go.tz (Tanzania’s official immigration authority website)
- Create an account — register with your email address
- Complete the application form — personal details, travel dates, purpose of visit, accommodation details, and intended port of entry
- Upload required documents — passport bio data page, passport photograph, yellow fever certificate (if applicable), return or onward ticket, and proof of accommodation
- Pay the visa fee — Visa or Mastercard accepted online
- Receive approval by email — typically within 2 to 5 working days
- Print your approval letter — present it with your passport at your port of entry
Apply at least 2 weeks before your travel date. During busy periods (June–September, December–January) processing can slow — a 3 to 4 week lead time is safer.
Tanzania Visa Cost Summary
| Visa Type | Cost (USD) | Stay Allowed |
|---|---|---|
| Single Entry Tourist Visa | $50 | Up to 90 days |
| Multiple Entry Visa | $100 | 12 months, multiple entries |
| Transit Visa | $30 | 7 days |
Tanzania Visa Requirements: Documents Needed
- Valid passport — minimum 6 months validity beyond your travel dates, at least one blank page
- Passport photograph — recent colour photo, plain background (digital for online application)
- Return or onward ticket
- Proof of accommodation — hotel booking or safari lodge confirmation
- Yellow fever vaccination certificate — see section below
- Sufficient funds — bank statement or financial proof to cover your stay
Yellow Fever and Tanzania: A Mandatory Requirement
Tanzania enforces its yellow fever certificate requirement at immigration not as a recommendation but as a condition of entry. You will be denied boarding or entry without it if you are arriving from a yellow fever endemic country.
The requirement applies to travellers arriving from or transiting through yellow fever endemic countries, which includes Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, most of sub-Saharan Africa, and most of South America. In practice, the majority of travellers on East Africa multi-country itineraries will need to present their yellow fever certificate at Tanzanian immigration.
The yellow fever vaccine must be administered at least 10 days before departure to be valid. It is considered a lifetime vaccination under current WHO guidance. Get vaccinated at a registered travel clinic before your trip — do not leave this until the last moment.
Tanzania Visa on Arrival
Tanzania offers visa on arrival at its major international airports and land border crossings. Single entry tourist visa on arrival: USD 50. While this is a valid option, applying online before travel is strongly recommended. Visa on arrival means queuing at immigration after a long flight, with limited payment options and no recourse if documents are missing. Having a pre-approved eVisa makes arrival fast and stress-free.
Entry Points into Tanzania
International Airports
- Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) — the main gateway for northern Tanzania safaris (Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire). Located between Arusha and Moshi, approximately 1 hour from Arusha
- Julius Nyerere International Airport, Dar es Salaam (DAR) — Tanzania’s busiest international airport. Main gateway for southern Tanzania (Selous/Nyerere, Ruaha) and Zanzibar connections
- Abeid Amani Karume International Airport, Zanzibar (ZNZ) — receives international and regional flights. Some carriers connect Zanzibar directly to the Middle East and European hubs
Land Border Crossings
- Namanga — Kenya/Tanzania border on the Nairobi–Arusha road. The main overland crossing for visitors combining Kenya and Tanzania
- Holili/Taveta — Kenya/Tanzania border near Kilimanjaro, used for the Mombasa–Arusha overland route
- Mutukula — Uganda/Tanzania border in the northwest
- Rusumo — Rwanda/Tanzania border in the northeast
Tanzania Visa Extension
A Tanzania visa can be extended in-country at the Immigration Department offices in Dar es Salaam, Arusha, or Zanzibar. Extensions are granted in increments up to 90 days, with a maximum continuous stay of 12 months. Apply well before your current visa expires.
Health Requirements for Tanzania
- Malaria prevention — Tanzania is malaria-endemic throughout, including Zanzibar. Anti-malarial medication is strongly recommended. Consult your doctor at least 6 weeks before travel
- Typhoid, Hepatitis A and B — recommended for most travellers
- COVID-19 — check current entry requirements; policies change periodically
For what to pack for your trip, see our Tanzania safari packing list. For help planning your itinerary, read our Tanzania safari itinerary guide and our Tanzania safari booking tips.
Plan Your Tanzania Safari
With your Tanzania visa confirmed and yellow fever certificate ready, the real planning begins. Tanzania offers the full range of East Africa’s best wildlife experiences — from the Great Wildebeest Migration in the Serengeti to the extraordinary Big Five density in the Ngorongoro Crater, the remote wilderness of Ruaha, and a Zanzibar beach finish. Contact Superfine Safaris to start planning your Tanzania safari itinerary.
