How to Get Your Visa for Tanzania: Official Step-by-Step Guide
Planning your dream safari, Mount Kilimanjaro trek, cultural village tour, or Zanzibar beach holiday with Tanzania Safari Portal? Getting your Tanzania entry visa is fast, easy, and fully online. Follow our up-to-date guide covering official eVisa applications, fees, processing times, and entry requirements.
Tanzania Visa Options & Official Fee Structure
Step-by-Step: How to Apply for Your Tanzania eVisa Online
- Visit the Official Government Site: Go exclusively to visa.immigration.go.tz. Avoid unofficial scam websites.
- Click ‘New Application’: Enter your email, personal details, passport number, and security question. Save your Application ID.
- Select Your Category: Choose ‘Ordinary Visa’ (or ‘Multiple Entry’ if you carry a US passport or visit frequently).
- Enter Travel Details: State your arrival airport (e.g., Kilimanjaro International JRO, Julius Nyerere DAR, or Abeid Amani Karume ZNZ) and your booked accommodation details (such as your Tanzania Safari Portal tour itinerary).
- Upload Documents: Submit high-resolution scans of your passport bio page, passport photo, and return flight confirmation.
- Pay the Fee: Pay securely using Visa or Mastercard ($50 USD for standard, $100 USD for US citizens).
- Download & Print Grant Notice: Once approved (usually in 4–6 business days), print your official Visa Grant Notice for airport immigration officers.
Required Documents Checklist
Before beginning your application, ensure you have the following digital files ready:
- Valid Passport: Minimum 6 months validity remaining from your intended departure date, with at least 1 blank page.
- Passport Photo: Recent passport-style digital photograph (JPEG/PNG format, max 300KB).
- Return Ticket / Itinerary: Copy of your confirmed outbound flight booking.
- Tour Accommodation Proof: Reservation confirmation email or tour itinerary provided by Tanzania Safari Portal.
- Yellow Fever Certificate: Mandatory if arriving from or transiting through yellow fever endemic countries (e.g., Kenya or Ethiopia).
Tanzania Visa Rules by Trip Type: Safari, Trekking, Zanzibar & Culture
1. Wildlife Safaris & Kilimanjaro Trekking
If you are booking a classic Wildlife Safari in Serengeti, Ngorongoro, or Tarangire, or climbing Mount Kilimanjaro or Mount Meru with Tanzania Safari Portal, a standard Ordinary Tourist Visa ($50 USD / $100 USD for US) covers your full itinerary. You do not need separate permits for national parks within your visa.
2. Zanzibar Holidays & Cultural Excursions
Zanzibar is a semi-autonomous region of Tanzania. Your single Tanzania eVisa covers entry to both Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar Island—no extra visa is required! However, note that Zanzibar requires all foreign visitors to hold mandatory Inbound Travel Insurance obtained prior to arrival, in addition to your standard tourist visa.
Frequently Asked Questions: Tanzania Visa
How long does a Tanzania eVisa take to process?
Most eVisas are approved within 4 to 10 working days. Apply at least 2 to 3 weeks prior to your travel dates.
Can I get a visa on arrival in Tanzania?
Yes, Visa on Arrival is available at entry points including JRO, DAR, and ZNZ airports ($50 USD, or $100 USD for US citizens in cash). Applying online in advance via the eVisa portal is recommended to skip long arrival queues.
Why do US citizens pay $100 USD for a tourist visa?
Under Tanzania immigration regulations, US passport holders traveling for holiday/tourism are required to apply for a Multiple Entry Visa ($100 USD), which is valid for up to 12 months.
Do I need a separate visa for Zanzibar?
No. A single Tanzanian visa covers both Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar Island.
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