Most visitors need a visa to enter Tanzania, and the usual way to get one is to apply online for an e-visa through the official immigration portal before you travel. Rules, document lists and processing times can change, so this guide to Tanzania visa requirements gives a general picture and tells you what to check. Always confirm the current rules on the official government site before booking.
Do you need a visa for Tanzania
Many nationalities need a visa, and a few are exempt. Which group you belong to depends on your passport, so we cannot give a single answer for everyone. Check the official immigration website for your nationality, or ask your nearest Tanzanian embassy or high commission.
If you do need one, the e-visa is usually the simplest route. You apply online, upload the documents requested, pay the fee shown on the portal and receive an approval to print or save. Use only the official government portal, as lookalike websites exist and can charge extra. We do not state fees here because they change, so check the official site.
How to apply for an e-visa
The process is generally straightforward, and it helps to start early.
- Open the official immigration portal and create an application.
- Enter your passport details, travel dates and accommodation for your first night.
- Upload a recent photograph and a copy of your passport photo page, if asked.
- Pay online, then save the confirmation.
- Print the approval and carry it with your passport, along with your onward ticket.
Apply well before you travel as processing times vary and it is wise to allow a margin. Make sure the names and passport numbers match your passport exactly. Errors can cause delays at the border and some are hard to fix at the last minute. Details of what is required are set out on the official portal.
Passport validity and documents
Your passport usually needs to be valid for at least six months from your date of arrival and have blank pages for stamps. Some airlines check this before boarding, so confirm it early. If your passport is close to expiry, renew it before you book flights.
At arrival, officers may ask for proof of onward travel, evidence of where you are staying and sometimes proof of funds. Keep copies of your documents in your hand luggage and a digital copy on your phone. If you are travelling with children, check any extra documents required, such as birth certificates, on the official site. Our guide to Uganda visa requirements has a similar checklist for a combined trip.
Yellow fever certificate and health entry rules
Whether you need a yellow fever certificate depends on where you travel from and through. Some travellers are asked to show a certificate if they have been in, or have transited through, a country with a risk of yellow fever. Rules differ and can change, so check the official Tanzanian health and immigration guidance for your route.
Please see a doctor or travel health clinic six to eight weeks before you travel to discuss vaccinations, malaria prevention and your own health. Offmap Safaris is not a medical provider, and we cannot advise on your health. Check your government travel advice and the World Health Organization for current information. Our guide to vaccinations for Tanzania covers the questions to ask.
Visiting Zanzibar and crossing borders
Zanzibar is part of Tanzania, but it has its own immigration checks when you arrive from the mainland. Keep your passport and visa approval with you when you fly or take the ferry. If you plan to combine Tanzania with Kenya, Uganda or Rwanda, each country has its own entry rules, and a visa for one does not cover another. Check the rules for each country, including any regional options on the official sites.
Practical tips for entry
Start the process as soon as your plans are firm and keep the following in mind.
- Use only the official government portal and double check the web address.
- Keep your passport valid for at least six months and make sure it has blank pages.
- Carry printed copies of your visa approval, flight details and accommodation.
- Check yellow fever rules for your route and see a health professional in good time.
- Take out travel insurance that fits your trip, and read the policy.
Our team can tell you which documents to have ready for your itinerary, but we cannot apply for a visa for you or give legal advice. Government rules can change at short notice, so confirm everything on the official site a few weeks before you travel and again before you fly.
We start with your dates then choose lodges, guides and transport to suit you. We explain what is fixed and what can change, and our team monitors and looks after the safari from the first message to the last transfer. Browse our Tanzania safaris, or tell us your plans on the Plan My Safari page.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa to visit Tanzania?
Most visitors do, though some nationalities are exempt. The usual route is an e-visa applied for online on the official immigration portal before you travel. Rules depend on your passport and can change, so check the official site for your nationality before you book.
How do I apply for a Tanzania e-visa?
Use the official immigration portal. You enter passport and travel details, upload the documents requested, pay online and save the approval. Apply early and make sure names match your passport. Use only the official site, as lookalike sites exist.
How long must my passport be valid for Tanzania?
Your passport normally needs to be valid for at least six months from arrival, with blank pages for stamps. Airlines may check this before boarding. Confirm the current requirement on the official immigration site, and renew your passport first if it is close to expiry.
Do I need a yellow fever certificate for Tanzania?
It depends on where you travel from and through. Travellers who have been in or passed through a country with a risk of yellow fever may be asked for a certificate. Check official guidance for your route and see a doctor or travel health clinic six to eight weeks ahead.
Do I need a separate visa for Zanzibar?
Zanzibar is part of Tanzania, so your Tanzania visa generally applies, though immigration checks take place when you arrive from the mainland. Keep your passport and approval handy. Confirm current rules on the official site, and check separately for any other countries you visit.
