A little preparation makes arrival simple. Explore Tanzania’s visa options, application steps and essential entry requirements before beginning your safari.
Tanzania’s visa requirements depend on your nationality, passport type and reason for travel. Some travellers can enter without a visa, most international visitors require an Ordinary Tourist Visa, while certain nationalities must receive prior approval through the Referral Visa process.
We recommend checking your status and applying through the official Tanzania Immigration portal well before your departure.
The standard option for most holiday travellers. It permits a single entry into Tanzania for tourism and a stay of up to 90 days.
This visa is intended for eligible travellers who need to enter Tanzania more than once. United States passport holders travelling for tourism are required to apply for this visa.
For travellers passing through Tanzania on their way to another country.
Nationals of certain countries may enter Tanzania without obtaining a visa. Because exemptions can change, travellers should confirm their eligibility using the official visa-free countries list.The standard option for most holiday travellers. It permits a single entry into Tanzania for tourism and a stay of up to 90 days.
Travellers from countries within the Referral Visa category must apply online and receive approval before travelling. These visas are not available upon arrival.
Applications should be submitted at least two months before the intended travel date.
A Simple Online Process of How to Apply for a Tanzania eVisa
Most tourist visa applications require:
A passport valid for at least six months
A clear copy of the passport's biographical page
A recent passport-size photograph
A confirmed return or onward travel ticket
Accomodation or tour itenary details
Contact details for your hotel or tour operator in Tanzania
The applicable visa fee
Additional supporting documents where requested
Genesis Rift Safaris can provide your confirmed itinerary, accommodation details and local contact information once your journey has been booked.
Standard online visa applications are generally processed within ten days, excluding Referral Visa applications. However, we recommend applying three to four weeks before departure to allow time for corrections or unexpected delays.
Travellers requiring a Referral Visa should apply at least two months before their intended arrival and wait for approval before confirming non-refundable arrangements.
Eligible travellers may be able to obtain a visa at designated entry points in Tanzania. However, availability is not guaranteed for every nationality, and the process may involve additional waiting after a long flight.
Applying online before departure usually provides a smoother arrival experience.
Travellers from Referral Visa countries, stateless persons and holders of refugee travel documents must obtain prior approval and should not rely on a visa on arrival.
A valid Tanzania visa also covers travel to Zanzibar—you do not need a separate Zanzibar visa.
However, foreign non-residents visiting Zanzibar must obtain the official mandatory inbound travel insurance issued through the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation. This is separate from your Tanzania visa and any private travel insurance you may already hold. Purchase the policy through the official Visit Zanzibar portal and carry your confirmation and QR code when travelling.
Yellow Fever Certificate
Proof of yellow fever vaccination may be required if you are arriving from, or have travelled through, a country with a risk of yellow fever. Requirements can depend on your route and transit history.
Passport Validity
Your passport should remain valid for at least six months and have sufficient blank pages for immigration stamps.
Return or Onward Ticket
Immigration officials may ask for evidence that you intend to leave Tanzania before the end of your permitted stay.
Final Entry Decision
A visa allows you to travel to a Tanzanian entry point. Final permission to enter remains with the immigration officer upon arrival.
The Ordinary Tourist Visa generally costs USD 50. United States passport holders travelling for tourism are required to obtain a USD 100 Multiple Entry Visa.
An Ordinary Tourist Visa allows a stay of up to 90 days. The permitted duration is ultimately confirmed by immigration upon arrival.
Yes. Zanzibar is part of the United Republic of Tanzania, so a separate visa is not required. Zanzibar’s mandatory inbound travel insurance is a separate entry requirement.
Visa applications must contain the traveller’s personal and passport information. We can guide you and provide supporting travel documents, but approval is determined solely by Tanzania Immigration.
No. A tourist visa does not grant permission to work, conduct professional assignments or volunteer in Tanzania. A suitable visa or permit must be obtained for those activities.
No. The East Africa Tourist Visa used for travel between Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda does not cover Tanzania. You must meet Tanzania’s entry requirements separately.
Only use the official Tanzania Immigration eVisa portal. Avoid unofficial websites that may charge additional fees or provide outdated information.
Once the paperwork is behind you, Tanzania opens into wide plains, mountain paths and islands shaped by the Indian Ocean. Tell us how you imagine your journey, and we will take care of the details waiting beyond your arrival.
Tell us what you would like to experience, when you want to travel and who will be joining you. We will help you create a journey shaped around the Tanzania you have been waiting to discover.
