Most visitors to Tanzania need a visa before or upon arrival. The good news is that Tanzania has a straightforward online application system, and the process is far simpler than it used to be. Here’s everything you need to know.
Before You Travel
- Mandatory state insurance: since 1 October 2026, foreign visitors to mainland Tanzania must hold the USD 44 NIC inbound policy (see our travel insurance guide); entry can be refused without it
- Travel insurance: VisitorsCoverage - covers medical emergencies, trip cancellation, and travel delays. Medical evacuation from the Serengeti costs $20,000+; keep comprehensive cover on top of the state policy.
- e-Visa: Apply at visa.immigration.go.tz at least 2 weeks before departure
- Yellow fever certificate: Required if arriving from a yellow fever-endemic country - carry the physical card
- Return or onward ticket: Immigration may request proof of onward travel on arrival
Entry Requirements by Nationality - 2026 Table
Most nationalities need a visa - either an e-Visa applied for in advance (strongly recommended to avoid airport queues) or a visa on arrival. Most nationalities pay USD 50 for either; US citizens pay USD 100 for a multiple-entry visa. East African Community (EAC) members are visa-free.
| Nationality | Entry Type | Max Stay (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| United States | e-Visa / Visa on arrival ($100, multiple-entry) | 90 days |
| United Kingdom | e-Visa / Visa on arrival ($50) | 90 days |
| France | e-Visa / Visa on arrival ($50) | 90 days |
| Germany | e-Visa / Visa on arrival ($50) | 90 days |
| Italy | e-Visa / Visa on arrival ($50) | 90 days |
| Spain | e-Visa / Visa on arrival ($50) | 90 days |
| Other EU member states | e-Visa / Visa on arrival ($50) | 90 days |
| Australia | e-Visa / Visa on arrival ($50) | 90 days |
| Canada | e-Visa / Visa on arrival ($50) | 90 days |
| India | e-Visa / Visa on arrival ($50) | 90 days |
| China | e-Visa / Visa on arrival ($50) | 90 days |
| Japan | e-Visa / Visa on arrival ($50) | 90 days |
| South Korea | e-Visa / Visa on arrival ($50) | 90 days |
| South Africa | e-Visa / Visa on arrival ($50) | 90 days |
| Kenya | Visa-free (EAC member) | 90 days |
| Uganda | Visa-free (EAC member) | 90 days |
| Rwanda | Visa-free (EAC member) | 90 days |
| Burundi | Visa-free (EAC member) | 90 days |
| DRC | Visa-free (EAC member) | 90 days |
Apply at visa.immigration.go.tz. The same Tanzania visa covers Zanzibar - no separate entry required. Fees and eligibility as of 2026; verify before booking.
Do You Need a Visa?
Tanzania requires entry visas for citizens of most countries, with a small number of exceptions. Currently, citizens of countries in the East African Community (Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, and the DRC) do not require a visa. Citizens of a handful of other nations also have visa-free access.
For the vast majority of travellers - including citizens of the USA, UK, EU, Canada, Australia, and most of Asia - a visa is required. Always check the most up-to-date requirements with the Tanzanian Embassy or the official immigration portal before travel, as policies can change.
Tanzania e-Visa
The Tanzania e-Visa is the simplest and most reliable option for most travellers. You apply online, receive a pre-approved visa electronically, and present it on arrival at Julius Nyerere International Airport (Dar es Salaam), Kilimanjaro International Airport (Arusha/Moshi), or other official ports of entry.
Cost: approximately $50 USD for a single-entry tourist visa (as of 2026). Check the official immigration portal for current fees.
Processing time: typically 2–5 working days, though some applications are approved within 24 hours. Apply at least two weeks before travel to avoid last-minute stress.
Requirements:
- Valid passport (at least 6 months validity beyond your intended departure date)
- Scanned copy of passport bio page
- Recent passport-sized photograph (white background)
- Hotel booking confirmation or invitation letter
- Proof of onward travel (return or onward ticket)
- Yellow fever vaccination certificate (if travelling from or through a yellow fever-endemic country)
- Credit or debit card for payment
Where to apply: Use the official Tanzania eVisa portal at visa.immigration.go.tz. Avoid third-party agencies charging inflated fees - the official portal is straightforward to use.
Visa on Arrival
Tanzania still offers visa on arrival at major international airports and the Namanga land border (crossing from Kenya). The cost is the same as the e-Visa - approximately $50 USD (as of 2026), payable in cash (USD) or by card.
However, we recommend the e-Visa over visa on arrival for two reasons:
- Long queues at Kilimanjaro and Dar es Salaam airports during peak season can add 1–2 hours to your arrival
- Having a pre-approved visa means less uncertainty if you don’t have exact USD cash on hand
The East Africa Tourist Visa (Does Not Include Tanzania)
The East Africa Tourist Visa (EATV) costs $100 and is valid for 90 days with multiple entries, but it covers only Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda. Tanzania is not part of the scheme, so a trip that combines a Tanzania safari with a Uganda gorilla trek or the Masai Mara needs the EATV for those countries plus a separate Tanzania e-Visa.
Apply for the Tanzania visa through the official portal at visa.immigration.go.tz, and check the EATV rules with the Kenyan, Rwandan or Ugandan authorities.
Visa on Arrival: Land Borders
Tanzania has several land border crossings used by overlanders and independent travellers. Major crossings include:
- Namanga (Tanzania–Kenya): busy crossing on the main Arusha–Nairobi route
- Isebania (Tanzania–Kenya): used for access to western Tanzania and the Serengeti from Kenya
- Mutukula (Tanzania–Uganda)
- Kasumulu (Tanzania–Malawi)
All these crossings offer visa on arrival, but queues and processing times vary widely. The Namanga crossing can be slow during weekends and peak travel periods.
Visa Extensions
Tourist visas are typically issued for 90 days (single entry). If you plan to stay longer, you can apply for a visa extension at the Immigration Department offices in Dar es Salaam, Arusha, Moshi, or Zanzibar. Extensions are possible but require additional documentation and a fee.
Zanzibar Entry
Zanzibar is a semi-autonomous region of Tanzania, but it uses the same Tanzania visa. There is no separate Zanzibar entry requirement - your Tanzania visa (whether e-Visa or visa on arrival) covers both mainland Tanzania and the Zanzibar archipelago. You will go through a short immigration check when arriving on Zanzibar, but it is a formality.
Yellow Fever Certificate
Tanzania requires proof of yellow fever vaccination if you are arriving from or have recently transited through a yellow fever-endemic country. This includes most of sub-Saharan Africa and parts of South America. Border officials can and do ask for your International Certificate of Vaccination (the yellow booklet). It also helps to read our Tanzania Vaccinations guide before you commit to plans.
Even if you’re travelling directly from a non-endemic country (e.g., UK, USA, Australia), we strongly recommend getting the yellow fever vaccine - it’s valid for life and is required if you plan to travel elsewhere in Africa after Tanzania. Our Tanzania Safari from Germany guide goes into more detail on this.
Entry Requirements Checklist
Before flying to Tanzania, confirm you have:
- Valid passport (6+ months beyond departure date)
- Tanzania e-Visa approved, OR cash USD for visa on arrival
- Return or onward flight ticket
- Hotel/accommodation confirmation for first night
- Yellow fever certificate (if coming from endemic country)
- Travel insurance - get covered with VisitorsCoverage before departure (medical evacuation cover is essential for Tanzania)
- Proof of sufficient funds (rarely checked but technically required)
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Relying on a third-party visa service: The official Tanzania e-Visa portal is easy to use. Third-party services charge an unnecessary premium.
Applying too late: Apply at least 2 weeks before travel. Processing can take up to 5 working days.
Incorrect photo format: The application requires a specific photo size and white background. Rejections due to photo issues add days to processing.
Missing yellow fever certificate: If you’re transiting through Addis Ababa, Nairobi, or any East African hub, you may be flagged on arrival without a yellow fever certificate.
Travel Insurance
Since 1 October 2026 the mainland also requires the NIC inbound policy (USD 44 per adult as of 2026, valid up to 92 days; buy at inbound.nicinsurance.co.tz or on arrival; EAC and SADC residents exempt). It is separate from your visa, and NIC and ZIC have confirmed that one policy covers a combined mainland and Zanzibar trip. Details are in our Tanzania travel insurance guide. Beyond that, private travel insurance is worth sorting at the same time as your visa - it covers medical treatment, emergency evacuation, and trip cancellation if your plans change before departure. We recommend VisitorsCoverage for straightforward policies that cover most nationalities travelling to Tanzania. A quote takes under five minutes and single-trip cover typically starts from around $30 for a two-week stay.
Plan Your Trip
✈️ Book your flights to Tanzania 🛡️ Get travel insurance 📱 Stay connected with an eSIM 🚗 Rent a car
Official sources: Tanzania Immigration Services.