Getting a Tourist Visa for Tanzania: A Complete Guide

Planning a safari in Tanzania? Before you can explore the Serengeti, watch elephants in Tarangire, discover the Ngorongoro Crater, or relax on the beaches of Zanzibar, you may need to arrange a tourist visa.

For many travelers, getting a Tanzania tourist visa is a straightforward process. You can apply online through Tanzania's official eVisa system, and in eligible cases, a visa may also be obtained on arrival at an official entry point. Tanzania Immigration recommends using the online application system.

At Wilddiary Safaris, we want your journey to Tanzania to be as easy as possible. That's why we've created this guide to help you understand the visa process, what documents you may need, how much it costs, and what to prepare before your safari.

Do I Need a Visa to Visit Tanzania?

It depends on your nationality.

Some travelers are exempt from obtaining a visa, while many international visitors need a visa before entering Tanzania. Tanzania Immigration provides an official list of nationalities that do not require a visa.

Because visa requirements can change, we strongly recommend checking the official Tanzania Immigration information for your nationality before booking your journey.

Official Tanzania eVisa:
Tanzania Official eVisa Application Portal

What Type of Visa Do Tourists Need?

Most visitors traveling to Tanzania for tourism are required to apply for an Ordinary Visa.

According to Tanzania Immigration, the Ordinary Visa is generally valid for up to 90 days and currently costs USD 50.

There is an important exception for travelers holding U.S. passports. U.S. citizens traveling to Tanzania for tourism are required to apply for a Multiple Entry Visa, currently listed at USD 100, with a maximum validity of up to 12 months. However, the maximum consecutive stay is 90 days.

Can I Apply for a Tanzania Visa Online?

Yes.

Tanzania operates an official electronic visa application system where eligible travelers can submit their applications online.

The application process generally involves:

1. Visiting the official Tanzania eVisa website.
2. Starting a new visa application.
3. Providing your personal and passport information.
4. Uploading the required documents.
5. Paying the applicable visa fee.
6. Submitting your application.
7. Tracking the progress of your application online.

Tanzania Immigration recommends applying through its official website rather than through unofficial websites or third-party visa services.

What Documents Do I Need?

Requirements can vary depending on your nationality and visa category, but travelers applying for a tourist visa should generally be prepared with the required passport and travel documentation.

The official guidelines state that applicants should have:

• A valid passport
• At least six months of passport validity
• At least one unused visa page
• A recent passport photograph
• A return ticket or evidence of onward travel
• Completed visa application information
• Payment for the applicable visa fee

Additional documents may be required depending on your circumstances or nationality.

How Long Should My Passport Be Valid?

Your passport should have at least six months of validity when applying for the Tanzania visa, and it should have at least one unused visa page.

Before you book your flight, check your passport carefully.

If your passport is close to expiring, renewing it before applying for your Tanzania visa can help avoid unnecessary problems.

How Much Does a Tanzania Tourist Visa Cost?

The current official visa guidelines list the following fees:

Visa Type	Fee
Ordinary Visa	USD 80
Multiple Entry Visa	USD 120
Transit Visa	USD 50

For tourism, most eligible visitors use the Ordinary Visa, while U.S. passport holders traveling for tourism are required to use the Multiple Entry Visa.

Visa fees and regulations can change, so always confirm the current amount on the official Tanzania Immigration website before applying.

Can I Get a Tanzania Visa on Arrival?

Tanzania Immigration states that there are two options for obtaining a visa: applying online through the official system or obtaining a visa on arrival at an official entry point, where applicable. The department recommends using the online visa application platform.

However, not every nationality has the same visa-on-arrival options.

Some nationalities fall under Tanzania's Referral Visa category and must obtain approval before traveling. Tanzania Immigration specifically advises travelers in this category to apply online and wait for approval before beginning their journey.

For this reason, checking your nationality's requirements before your trip is extremely important.

How Early Should I Apply?

Don't leave your visa application until the last minute.

Tanzania's official terms and conditions advise applicants to lodge visa applications 10 days before their expected travel date, while applicants whose nationality falls under the Referral Visa category are advised to apply at least two months before travel.

We recommend starting the process well before your safari so that you have enough time to resolve any issue that may arise.

Can I Visit Both Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar With One Visa?

Yes.

If your trip includes both Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar, you do not normally need to obtain a separate Tanzania visa simply because you are traveling between the two.

Tanzania Immigration states that visitors traveling to both Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar should select their first destination during the application process, and the same visa can be used to visit both.

This makes it easy to combine a wildlife safari with a Zanzibar beach holiday.

What Happens When I Arrive in Tanzania?

When you arrive at a designated entry point, you will go through immigration procedures.

Foreign travelers may be required to present:

• Passport
• Visa or visa approval
• Return or onward ticket
• Evidence of sufficient funds for their stay

Tanzania Immigration also requires travelers to enter through designated formal entry points.

Keep your important travel documents easily accessible rather than packed deep inside your luggage.

Do Children Need Their Own Visa?

Yes.

Tanzania Immigration states that every passport holder must have their own visa application submitted, including minors who are included in their parents' applications.

If you're planning a family safari with children, make sure each traveler has the appropriate documentation before departure.

What If My Visa Application Is Rejected?

If an application is rejected, Tanzania Immigration may withhold the reason for rejection. Applicants are therefore encouraged to carefully check their information and supporting documents before submitting the application.

One important point: once an online application has been submitted, the official system states that modifications are generally not allowed. Double-check your passport details, dates, nationality, and other information before submitting.

Should I Use a Third-Party Visa Website?

Be careful when searching online for a Tanzania visa.

Tanzania Immigration specifically advises visa applicants to use the official Tanzania Immigration website only and warns against using other online links.

If you're applying online, use the official Tanzania eVisa portal:

Apply for Tanzania eVisa

What About Visa Requirements for Zanzibar?

Zanzibar is part of the United Republic of Tanzania, and travelers visiting both Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar can use the same Tanzania visa when applicable.

This means you can create an itinerary such as:

Serengeti → Ngorongoro → Tarangire → Zanzibar

without needing to arrange a separate tourist visa simply for Zanzibar.

Can Wilddiary Safaris Help With My Visa?

We can help you understand what you should prepare for your Tanzania safari and provide information about your itinerary and travel arrangements.

However, visa approval is handled by Tanzania Immigration, not by the safari operator.

We recommend checking the official visa requirements for your nationality and applying through the official Tanzania eVisa system.

If you have questions about your safari itinerary, arrival arrangements, accommodation, or travel plans, the Wilddiary Safaris team can help you prepare for your journey.

Tanzania Tourist Visa Checklist

Before you travel, make sure you have checked:

✓ Passport valid for at least six months
✓ At least one unused passport page
✓ Appropriate Tanzania visa or visa exemption
✓ Recent passport photograph if required
✓ Return or onward ticket
✓ Safari booking information
✓ Accommodation details
✓ Travel insurance
✓ Important travel documents
✓ Visa approval/Grant Notice if you applied online

Your Tanzania Adventure Starts Before You Arrive

Getting your visa is one of the first steps toward your Tanzania adventure.

Once the paperwork is organized, you can focus on the exciting part — deciding where you want to go.

Will you watch the Great Wildebeest Migration in the Serengeti? Explore the Ngorongoro Crater? Search for elephants in Tarangire? Experience the landscapes of Southern Tanzania? Or finish your safari with a few relaxing days on Zanzibar's beaches?

At Wilddiary Safaris, we help turn those ideas into a carefully planned Tanzania journey.

From your first inquiry to the moment you return home, our goal is to make your safari comfortable, well organized, and unforgettable.

Ready to Start Your Tanzania Safari?

Your Tanzania adventure is closer than you think.

Check your visa requirements, choose your dream safari, and let Wilddiary Safaris help you plan the journey.

Explore our Tanzania safari packages or contact Wilddiary Safaris today and start planning your adventure.

Tanzania is waiting. Your safari starts here.