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The Complete Tanzania Visa Guide 2026: Costs, Requirements & How to Apply

Step-by-step guide to the Tanzania e-Visa. Learn the difference between Ordinary and Multiple Entry visas, costs for US citizens, and official processing times.

Booking your safari is the fun part. The paperwork? Not so much. But don’t worry—getting a visa for Tanzania is generally straightforward if you follow the right steps.

As of late 2025, the Tanzanian government strongly encourages all travelers to use the Online e-Visa system to reduce queues at the airport. Here is exactly how to do it without the headache.

1. Do I Need a Visa?

Most travelers do need a visa to enter Tanzania (Mainland and Zanzibar).

  • Exempt Countries: Citizens of some African (e.g., South Africa, Kenya) and Asian countries (e.g., Singapore, Hong Kong) do not need a visa for stays up to 90 days.
  • Everyone Else: If you are from the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, or the EU, you need a visa.

2. Which Visa Should I Choose?

This is where most people get stuck. It depends entirely on your nationality.

Option A: Ordinary Visa (Single Entry)

  • Who is it for? Citizens of the UK, EU, Canada, Australia, and most of the world.
  • Cost: $50 USD
  • Validity: Up to 90 days (Single entry only).

Option B: Multiple Entry Visa

  • Who is it for? Citizens of the USA (Mandatory). Due to a bilateral agreement, American citizens must select this option.
  • Cost: $100 USD
  • Validity: 12 months (allows multiple entries, but you can only stay 90 days at a time).
  • Note: Non-US citizens can also apply for this if they plan to enter Tanzania multiple times within a year.

3. How to Apply (The Official Way)

There is only one official website. Beware of “agency” sites that charge extra fees.

Step 1: Go to visa.immigration.go.tz Step 2: Click “Apply for New Visa”. Step 3: Fill in your details.

  • Destination: Choose “Tanzania Mainland” even if you are going to Zanzibar later.
  • Host Details: Use “Kilinyota Safaris” (We will provide our registration number and address in your booking confirmation). Step 4: Upload Documents.
  • Passport bio page (JPG/PNG, clear scan).
  • Passport-style photo (White background).
  • Return flight ticket (PDF). Step 5: Pay via Credit Card (Visa/Mastercard).

Pro Tip: Save your Application ID. You will need this to check the status later. You will NOT always get an email when it is approved!

4. Processing Time & "Visa on Arrival"

  • Official Time: The government says 10 days.
  • Real Time: We are currently seeing it take 2–3 weeks. Please apply early!

Can I still get a Visa on Arrival? Technically, yes, at major airports like Kilimanjaro (JRO) and Dar es Salaam (DAR). However, lines can be very long (1–2 hours). We strongly recommend the e-Visa for a smoother start to your holiday.

⚠️ Referral Visa Warning: Citizens of certain countries (e.g., Bangladesh, Pakistan, Lebanon, Nigeria) require a “Referral Visa” which needs special clearance. This takes 2 months. Please check the “Referral List” on the immigration website if you are unsure

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