Tanzania Expands E-Visa System: What Travellers Need to Know in 2025

Tanzania has steadily expanded its electronic visa system over the past two years, and as of mid-2025 the online portal at immigration.go.tz covers the vast majority of nationalities visiting for tourism, business, or transit. If you last checked Tanzania’s visa rules more than 12 months ago, there are several updates worth knowing before you book.

Who Needs a Visa for Tanzania?

Citizens of most countries require a visa to enter Tanzania. A small number of African Union member states have visa-free arrangements, but travellers from Europe, North America, Australia, and most of Asia will need to obtain a visa in advance or on arrival.

Tanzania strongly encourages — and in practice increasingly expects — pre-arrival applications through the official e-visa portal. Processing typically takes 5 to 10 working days, and immigration officers can ask to see your e-visa approval before you board your flight.

What Changed in 2024–2025?

Single-entry tourist visa: The standard 90-day single-entry visa remains available at approximately USD 50 for most nationalities. The fee must be paid online in US dollars by debit or credit card when applying through the portal.

Multiple-entry visa: A 12-month multiple-entry option is available for frequent visitors at around USD 100. This is useful for those combining Tanzania with neighbouring countries on longer itineraries.

East Africa Tourist Visa (EATV): Tanzania participates in a joint visa arrangement with Kenya and Uganda that allows multiple entries across all three countries on a single USD 100 visa. This is worth considering if your itinerary includes a Kenyan safari alongside Tanzania — though Rwanda, which used to participate, has since issued its own visa terms. Verify current EATV terms with Tanzania Immigration before applying.

Zanzibar note: Zanzibar is a semi-autonomous region of Tanzania. Your Tanzania visa covers entry to Zanzibar, and there is no separate Zanzibar visa for most nationalities. However, Zanzibar has its own immigration controls at Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ), so keep your Tanzania visa approval document accessible when flying between the mainland and the island.

How to Apply

1. Visit immigration.go.tz and create an account
2. Complete the tourist visa application form with your passport details, travel dates, and accommodation address in Tanzania
3. Upload a scanned copy of your passport bio page and a passport photograph
4. Pay the fee online and note your application reference number
5. Allow 5–10 working days — check your spam folder, as approval emails sometimes get filtered

Applying at least three weeks before departure is advisable during peak travel periods (December–January and July–August).

Visa on Arrival: Is It Still Available?

Tanzania still technically offers visa on arrival at major international entry points including Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR), Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), and the main land borders. However, queues can be long during busy arrival banks, payment in cash USD is required, and the immigration department has made clear that the online system is preferred. We recommend applying in advance to avoid delays.

Practical Tips

• Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your entry date
• Proof of onward travel (a return or connecting ticket) is typically requested
• Yellow fever vaccination certificate is required if you are arriving from a country with yellow fever risk — carry the physical card
• Travel insurance is not mandatory but strongly recommended; see our Tanzania travel insurance guide

For the most current visa categories, fees, and any temporary waivers, check the official Tanzania Immigration portal directly, as fee schedules can change without advance public notice.

More trip-planning context: Tanzania visa guide.