Visa Requirements

Foreigners seeking to enter Tanzania should be in the possession of valid passports or any other travel document. The passport or any other travel document is to be presented to the Immigration Control Officer at any entry point. Such places are Border station, Airport, or Harbour. The travel document must be presented along with one of the following

  • A valid visa
  • A residence permit
  • A pass

NOTE: A visitor must also present an onward or return ticket together with proof that has sufficient funds to support while in Tanzania.

Visas

  • A visa is a permission granted to a foreigner who intends to enter into Tanzania for business, holiday, studies or conduct research or any other approved activities.
  • Visas should be obtained at Tanzania Embassies/High Commissions abroad or at the entry point.
  • After entering the country, a visitor with a visa may then obtain from the Immigration Control Officer, a pass, or any other authority to stay in the country.

Who Requires a Visa?

  • All foreigners from Non-Commonwealth Countries are required to have a valid visa unless their countries have a visa abolition agreement with Tanzania.
  • Citizens of Commonwealth countries are not required to obtain visas. Unless they are citizens of the United Kingdom, Canada, Nigeria, India, Pakistan, or The Republic of South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. However, the list may change from time to time.

Types of Visas

There are five(5) types of visas valid for entry into Tanzania:

  • Ordinary Visa. An Ordinary Visa is issued at any Tanzania Mission abroad or at any official entry point into the Tanzania border.
  • Carrying on Temporary Assignment (CTA). CTA is issued to prospective visitors who intend to visit Tanzania for purposes of making feasibility studies, establishing professional and business contacts. And making arrangements for investments during the start-up period. The validity of this visa is two months. This type of visa is issued at the entry point.
  • Multiple Entry Visa. Foreigners who, because of the nature of their business or investments, need to make frequent visits to the United Republic of Tanzania may be issued with Multiple- entry visa. The validity ranges from (3) months to one year. Applications for multiple-entry visas are usually submitted to the Director of Immigration services by local contacts on behalf of the applicant
  • Referred to Visa. A referred visa requires the permission of the Director of Immigration Services or the Assistant Director of Immigration Services in Zanzibar. This type of a visa is required for the nationals of the following countries: Lebanon, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Somalia, Afghanistan, Senegal, Mali, Turkey, Iran, Iraq, Ethiopia, Syria, Egypt, Yemen, Morocco, Tunisia, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Sri Lanka, Mauritania, Sierra Leone, Niger, Liberia and for refugees, stateless people and any other nationalities as may be specified from time to time by the authorities. Persons in need of this type of visa may make inquiries at any Tanzania Mission abroad.
  • Transit Visa. A Transit Visa is a permission to pass through Tanzania from one entry point to the exit point. It is for the people whose purpose of their entry into Tanzania is simply to pass through to the other destination abroad without visiting. This type of a visa is only issued to persons with onward tickets, sufficient funds for transit, and an entry visa to the country of destination or any proof that prior arrangements have been made that satisfy this requirement. There is no special clearance for a transit visa, except for those specified in paragraph 4.4 above.

Visa Issuing Centres and Authorities

Visas are issued by the following: 

  • The office of the Director of Immigration Services, Dar es Salaam, and the Office of the Assistant Director of Immigration Services Zanzibar.
  • Tanzania Missions abroad
  • Entry points to the United Republic of Tanzania, i.e. Namanga, Tunduma, Sirari, Horohoro, Kigoma Port, Julius.K. Nyerere International Airport (JKNIA), Kilimanjaro International Airport, Zanzibar Harbour, and Zanzibar International Airport (ZIA) and other gazetted entry points.

Visa Fee Rates

The Visa fee for Holiday and Ordinary visa is US Dollar 50. Multiple visa 6 months to 1 year is US Dollar 100, while 3 months multiple visa fee is US Dollar 50. Business Visa US Dollar 250  and transit visa USD 30, refer http://www.immigration.go.tz/index.php/en/services/visa-information

Extension of Stay. You can extend your visas for three months at a time up to a maximum of six months at the immigration office in Dar es Salaam.

Temporary Residence: Residence permits are granted to foreign nationals if they are employed by a Tanzanian company, or working long-term as missionaries or volunteers. You must apply for these through the Immigration Services Department. Visa and other related application can be downloaded from | http://www.immigration.go.tz/index.php/en/download/forms |

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

  • Residence Permits. Residence permits are issued by the Immigration Department.  Application for residence permits must be done and obtained prior to arriving in Tanzania. Read more about requirements from the ministry of home affairs, | Immigration Department |
  • Work Permits. Work permits are not issued by the Ministry of Labour, Employment, and Youth Development.  Application of work permits must be done and obtained prior to arriving in Tanzania. | Work Permit Application Form |
  • Filming Permit. Filming in Tanzania national parks is requires you to have a permit and license in a particular location. Mili Adventure Africa can assist you in completing the mandatory Tanzania filming application form. Read | Tanzania Filming Application Form |. Once granted permission to film in Tanzania, the film must not last longer than three (3) months.
  • Travel Insurance. Before heading to Tanzania, consider taking out Travel insurance covering theft, loss, and medical problems. Shop around and choose a policy, those designed for short package tours and suitable for the wilds in Tanzania. We recommend selecting membership with one of the following, both of which operate 24-hour air ambulance services and offer emergency medical evacuation within Tanzania.

Some travel insurance companies include African Medical & Research Foundation Flying Doctors | www.flydoc.org | East Africa memberships available from US Dollar 16 per person per month. First Air Responder | www.knightsupport.com/first-air-responder | East Africa memberships from US Dollars per week. Worldwide travel insurance is available at | www.lonelyplanet.com/travel-insurance |. You can buy, extend, and claim online anytime – even if you’re already on the road.