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Tanzania Visa

Tanzania Visa Guidelines
  • Applicants of Visa are strongly advised to read carefully the Visa Guidelines before making an application;
  • Visa applicants are advised to make their applications through the Official Tanzania Immigration website (www.immigration.go.tz) ONLY and Not through any other links;
  • Any applicant of Visa is assumed to have read, understood, and agreed to the Terms and Conditions available on the Visa Portal and stipulated in the Disclaimer ;
  • Applicants must ensure that their passports have a validity of at least six months and at least one unused visa page before submitting their application;
  • The applicant is expected to apply for the right category of visa. If the applicant is not sure about the type of visa he/she requires, he/she is advised to seek guidance through the e-mail: info@immigration.go.tz
  • Visitors who wish to come for a holiday or Tourism are advised to apply for Ordinary Visa. However, holders of American passports who come for holiday or tourism will have to apply for Multiple Entry Visa;
  • Applicants who are not Americans, and wish to apply for Multiple Visa are >strongly advised to read carefully and observe the requirements for Multiple Visas,
  • Any Visa wrongly applied or which lacks sufficient attachment(s) may be rejected;
  • No refund will be made in respect of any rejected visa application;
  • The Visa applications will be processed within ten days, therefore applicants are strongly advised to observe the stipulated time frame while making their applications;
  • After making payments, applicants are required to wait for approval of their Visa before they start their journey, even If the stipulated time frame expires;
  • Approval notifications will be sent to applicants’ e-mails If, for any reason, the applicant does not receive Visa notification within the specified time, he is advised to access the Visa Grant Notification by checking the Status of their Visa Online;
  • The Tanzania Immigration Services Department may give or withhold reasons for the rejection of the Visa to the applicant;
  • Applicants whose nationals fall under the Referral Visa category are not advised to book flight tickets or make payments for any reservations in Tanzania before they get approval for their Visa. Also, such applicants are advised to apply at least two months before their date of travel;
  • The list of countries that fall under Referred Visa may changes at any time; therefore, applicants are advised to review this list on our website from time to time.
  • Visa regulations and conditions may be subject to change at any time without prior notification to the applicants.

Note:

It should be noted that the possession of a Visa is not a final authority to enter the United Republic of Tanzania. The Immigration Officer at the Entry point may refuse a holder of a visa to enter, if he is satisfied that the holder is unable to fulfill Immigration entry requirements or if the presence of such person or visitors in the United Republic of Tanzania would be contrary to the National Interests.

Also, Visitors MUST show their Return Ticket upon arrival

Types Of Visa

There are six types of visa valid for entry into Tanzania

Ordinary Visa (Single Entry Visa)

This visa is granted to foreign nationals for the purposes of Visit, Tourism, Leisure, Holiday, attending Conferences, Humanitarian and charity activities, Family Visits, Health Treatment or any other purpose as may be determined by the issuing authority. Its validity does not exceed 90 days for a single entry.

Business Visa

Business visa may be issued for a period not exceeding 90 days to foreign nationals who wish to enter in the United Republic of Tanzania for one of the following purposes:

  • To conduct special assignments such as fixing/repairing machines or running short-term training, etc.
  • To conduct short time professional roles such as auditing accounts, making feasibility studies, establishing professionals and business contacts, making arrangements for investments during the start-up period etc;
  • To conduct any other short-term lawful business-related task recognized by the laws of the country and as may be determined by the issuing authority.

Important Note For Business Visa:

  • The maximum validity for a business Visa is 90 days;
  • Business Visa cannot be extended nor renewed while the holder is in the country;
  • Business Visa is issued on a single entry basis. It cannot be used to re-enter the country after the holder leaves the country;
  • The Business Visa should not be taken as a substitute for Residence Permit. If for any reason, the activity or assignment for which the guest comes will exceed 3 months, then the guest is advised to obtain a Residence Permit instead of a Business Visa

Multiple Entry Visa

Multiple Visas may be issued to American nationals (due to bilateral agreements between Tanzania and America) who wish to come for such purposes as Holiday/Tourism, visiting friends and relatives or attending a conference, as they are not entitled to Ordinary Visas. This implies that USA passport holders who visit Tanzania for tourism or holiday MUST apply for Multiple visas even If they come for a single entry.

American nationals who wish to come for business purposes are advised to read the Business Visa Section above.

Multiple Visa may also be issued to Directors of Companies registered in Tanzania who do not reside in the country, Persons engaged in Bilateral Meetings, Spouses married to Tanzanians/Residents, Government Consultants, Representatives of International NGOs, and any other persons as may be determined by the Commissioner General of Immigration or Commissioner of Immigration Zanzibar.

However, Non-Resident Directors MUST upload proof showing they are Directors of a Company registered in Tanzania. The required proof in this regard is a document from BRELA (This is the Competent Authority responsible for the registration of companies in Tanzania) and the document's name is called BRELA SEARCH. Therefore, the applicant (in this regard Director) should consult his company and obtain this document to be uploaded in his Online Application for multiple Visa.

Applicants who apply for Multiple Visa under the umbrella of projects or bilateral meetings with Government Ministries or Institutions, should obtain a cover letter from respective Government Ministries or Institutions, and upload such letters in their applications. Failure to observe this procedure may render their applications to be rejected.

Applicants for Multiple Visas under the family visit category are required to upload proof of relationships with their family members. In this case, a certificate of marriage (for proof of relationship with regards to spouses) or birth certificate (for proof of relationship with regard to children).

This Visa may be issued to foreign nationals whose purposes of visits call for frequent visits to the United Republic of Tanzania. These may include Directors of Companies registered in Tanzania who do not reside in the country, Persons engaged in Bilateral Meetings, Spouses married to Tanzanians/Residents, Government Consultants, Representatives of international NGO, and any other person as may be determined by the Commissioner General of Immigration or Commissioner of Immigration Zanzibar.

This Visa (Multiple) is also issued to American citizens who wish to come for Holiday or Tourism purposes, as they are not entitled for Ordinary Visa. The maximum validity of this Visa is 12 months. However, the holder of the Multiple Visa cannot stay in the country for twelve (12) consecutive months. They are required to leave the country at most after every three months.

Validity and Stay Duration of Multiple Visa

Multiple Visa may be issued with a validity of a maximum of 12 months. However, the maximum stay duration is three months. This means the holder of a Multiple Visa cannot stay in the country for twelve (12) consecutive months. Instead, in each visit they may stay in the country for a maximum of three months.

NB:

  • Applicants who are not American citizens and who wish to apply for Multiple Visa MUST ensure they possess and upload justifiable documents for the respective category of Multiple visa as listed in the Visa Portal;
  • Applicants whose countries fall under referral Visa are not advised to apply for Multiple Visa;

Transit Visa

This Visa may be issued to foreign nationals for the purpose of transiting through to another destination outside the United Republic for a period not exceeding seven days. The applicant of this visa may be required to provide proof of a Visa of the destination country and/or an onward ticket.

NB:
Transit Visa is strictly intended for those travelers whose purpose of entry is to pass through Tanzania, and cannot be used for tourism purposes.

Gratis Visa

This visa may be issued to a holder of diplomatic, services or official passport or Travel Document of a recognized International Organization who is on official duty and their Dependents. It can be also issued to a holder of an ordinary passport or Travel document as it may be directed by the Commissioner General of Immigration and Commissioner of Immigration Zanzibar.

NB:
Applicants of Gratis Visa who wish to submit their applications online must be holders of Diplomatic Passports, and are required to upload an invitation letter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, a biographic data page and a cover page or any page which shows that the passport attached is diplomatic.

Student Visa

A student visa is granted to a foreign national who enters the Country for the purpose of Academic conduct such as Research Students, Intern, Volunteering, Exchange students and Prospective Students who have obtained admission in registered Institutions in Tanzania. The validity of this Visa is categorized in two, the first category is for applicants whose academic programs do not exceed 90 days, for which the visa fee is 50 USD. And the second category is for those whose academic programs exceed 90 days, for which the Visa fee is 250 USD.

Applicants whose countries do not require Visa to enter Tanzania, and who wish to come for academic purposes will have to apply for Student Pass.

NB:
The validity of Visa for applicants who come for language courses will not exceed six months.

Referral Cases

There are some countries which their nationals cannot obtain Visa on arrival. These countries fall under the so called Referral Visa Category. The list of these countries is available on our website (in the Visa Information Section), and may be reviewed from time to time

Procedure For Referral Visa Category:

Applicants from this category MUST submit their Visa applications Online, and should wait until their applications are approved before starting their journey. These applicants are further advised to submit their applications at least 2 months before their travel date. Having an invitation letter or a request letter for visa from the Host is an added credibility of their application. This letter, if available MUST be uploaded in the Online Visa Application and NOT to be sent by email as a separate document. The letter may be uploaded separately or merged with the Itinerary of the Trip and uploaded in the Return ticket field.

If the Visa is approved, the holder MUST come with the actual return ticket upon arrival. If the Host wishes to write a request letter to support his guest’s application, the letter should be addressed to the Commissioner General of immigration, If the guest will visit mainland Tanzania, or addressed to Commissioner of Immigration, Zanzibar, if the guest will be visiting Zanzibar. If the guest wishes to visit both, then the address of the letter should regard the first destination.

NB:

  • Applicants whose nationals fall under this category are not advised to pay for flight tickets or make payments for any reservations in Tanzania before they get approval for their Visa.
  • Also, applicants under Referral Visa Category are Not advised to apply for Multiple Visa.

Stateless And Refugees:

Stateless persons and Refugees who hold Vienna Convention documents also fall under Referral Visa category, and are required observe the Referral Visa Category procedure indicated above.

List Of Countries Whose Nationals Require Referral Visa.
Afghanistan Mauritania
Azerbaijan Niger
Bangladesh Nigeria
Chad Pakistan
Djibouti Palestine
Ethiopia Senegal
Eritrea Somalia
Equatorial Guinea Sri Lanka
Iran Somali land
Iraq Sierra Leone
Kazakhstan Republic Tajikistan
Kyrgyz Republic (Kyrgyzstan) Turkmenistan
Lebanon Uzbekistan
Mali Yemen
  Stateless persons or persons with refugee status
List Of Countries Whose Nationals Do Not Require Visa To Enter The United Republic Of Tanzania.
Antigua & Barbuda Channel Islands Jersey Namibia
Anguilla Cocos Islands Kenya Papua New Guinea
Ashmore & Cartia Islands Cook Islands Kiribati Rwanda
Bahamas Christmas Islands Lesotho Romania
Barbados Dominica Malawi Samoa
Bermuda Falkland Islands Montserrat Seychelles
Belize Gambia Malaysia Singapore
Brunei Ghana Madagascar Swaziland
British Virgin Islands Gibraltar Malta Solomon Island
British Indian Ocean Territory Grenada Mauritius St. Kitts & Nevis
Botswana Guernsey Macao St. Lucia
Burundi Guyana Mozambique St. Vicent
Cyprus Heard Island Nauru St. Helena
Cayman Islands Hong Kong Niue Island South Africa
Jamaica Isle of Man Norfolk Island South Sudan
Trinidad & Tobago Tokelau Tuvalu Uganda
Turks & Caicos Tonga Vanuatu Zambia
Zimbabwe      
Requirements For Visa

Ordinary (Single Entry) Visa

An application of an Ordinary Visa should be accompanied by the following;

  • Copy of the applicant’s valid passport (biographic data page);
  • Return ticket of the flight;
  • Duly filled in the declaration form
  • 50 USD visa fee.

Multiple Visa (Director)

  • A recent passport-size photo of the applicant;
  • Copy of the applicant’s valid passport (biographic data page);
  • Return Ticket of the flight;
  • A cover letter from the company;
  • A copy of the registration certificate/certificate of compliance of the company;
  • BRELA SEARCH Document ( Proof of being a Director from BRELA)
  • 100 USD Visa fee;

Multiple Visa (Consultancy With Government Ministries/Bilateral Agreements)

  • A recent passport-size photo of the applicant;
  • Copy of the applicant’s valid passport (biographic data page);
  • Return Ticket of the flight;
  • A cover letter from the respective government Ministry or Institution; OR
  • A cover letter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation describing the bilateral agreement;
  • 100 USD Visa fee;

Multiple Visa (Family Visit)

  • A recent passport-size photo of the applicant;
  • Copy of the applicant’s valid passport (biographic data page);
  • Return Ticket of the flight;
  • An invitation letter from the spouse or child to whom the visit is made;
  • Attached marriage certificate (If the applicant visits a spouse); or birth certificate If the applicant visits his child/children;
  • Valid passport or national ID of the spouse or child If applicable or valid Residence Permit If the wife or child is resident
  • 100 USD Visa fee;

Multiple Visa (USA Nationals Visiting For Holiday/Tourism)

  • A recent passport-size photo of the applicant;
  • Copy of the applicant’s valid passport (biographic data page);
  • Return Ticket of the flight;
  • 100 USD Visa fee;

Multiple Visa (Other)

  • Any Multiple visa applied online which will not fall in the categories indicated above MUST be supported by the following attachments:
  • A recent passport-size photo of the applicant;
  • Copy of the applicant’s valid passport (biographic data page);
  • A permission letter from the Commissioner General of Immigration or Commissioner of Immigration, Zanzibar;
  • Return Ticket of the flight;
  • 100 USD Visa fee;

Business Visa

  • Copy of the applicant’s valid passport (biographic data page);
  • Return ticket of the flight;
  • 250 USD visa fee.
  • A work contract or any proof of the work/assignment to be performed within a period not exceeding three months;

Transit Visa

  • Copy of the applicant’s valid passport (biographic data page);
  • 30 USD visa fee.
  • An entry visa or onward ticket to the intended country of destination;

Student Visa

  • Copy of the applicant’s valid passport (biographic data page);
  • 50 USD, 250 USD, or 550 USD Visa fee depending on the category and duration.
  • Covering letter from the host institution/college where the foreign student will be hosted, the letter must detail the course/field and duration of the program to be attended

Visa Application for Referral Cases

Applicants who fall under the Referral Visa category MUST apply for their Visa Online; they cannot obtain Visa on arrival. Their Visa process may take longer time than other Visa applicants. They are advised to submit their applications at least two months in advance before their travel date.

Further, they are advised to attach an introduction letter and any other document of their host (whether an individual or company) while applying If applicable. If they come for tourism purposes, it is recommended to obtain a cover letter from a registered credible company and it must be uploaded online along with other

relevant documents for consideration. The introduction/cover letter may be attached in any attachment field along with other documents as a single PDF file,

After submission of the application, applicants are advised not to start their journey until they get confirmation that their visas are approved. They are further advised not to make payments for any booking or reservations made

Important Note:

Students who wish to visit the United Republic of Tanzania for various academic purposes for a period not exceeding three months may be issued a student Visa for a fee of 50 USD. Whereas those who come for the same purpose for a period exceeding 3 months will pay 250 USD, 300 USD and 550 USD depending on the category chosen and will be issued with a Student Visa for a period not exceeding 2 years.

NB:

  • Applicants for Students Visa exceeding 3 months should be of the age from 18 years and above. If the applicant is below 18 years, then his parent or guardian must either be a Tanzanian citizen or hold a Residence Permit.

Visa Payment Method:

An Applicant can make payment of visa fee online through one of the following methods:

  • By Visa card or By Master card;
  • By Swift transfer (i.e. depositing money directly into bank account at the bank counter).

After making fee payment, an Applicant will receive a notification that his payment has been received. He/she will wait for Approval of Visa before starting the journey.

How To Apply For A Visa Online:

  • Visit the Immigration Services Website (www.immigration.go.tz)
  • Click “e-services” button;
  • Select and click “e-Visa Application Form”;
  • Upload and attach the applicant’s scanned relevant documents for the Visa;
  • Then, the applicant will receive an e-mail message containing User Identification Number (that may be used to track the application online);
  • After completion of filling an online visa application form, the applicant will have to pay for a for respective visa fee;
  • Upon successful payment, the applicant will submit his application;
  • Lastly, the applicant will receive a message of confirmation of his application being received.

How To Track Visa Application Status:

After successfully submitting the application, an applicant may track the progress of his application by using his ID Number, which is given during the application stage. To track the application, applicant will go back to the Visa Application System, then click the Visa Status button.

Enquiry While Making Visa Application:

An applicant may at any time enquire to seek clarification regarding process through the following e-mail: Info@visatanzania.go.tz

Summary/Important Notes:

    • All visitors wishing to come for tourist purposes are required to apply for ordinary visa EXCEPT American nationals (USA Passport holders) who are required to apply for Multiple Visa;
    • If an applicant wishes to visit both Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar, he/she is advised to select his first destination while filling the form
    • The nearby Embassy is regarded as the Embassy closest to where the applicant is while applying for Visa, and If required, the applicant may be called to appear physically to that Embassy for interview;
    • Every Passport holder is required to have his/her own Visa application submitted.in this case, even minors who are filled in their parents’ Visa applications must have their own separate Visa applications submitted;
    • Once Visa application is submitted, no further changes may be done and effected to such applications. If for any reasons there will be some mismatch in information on the issued visa or flight changes which affects the arrival or departure date, the applicant will communicate this to the relevant immigration authority for guidance or assistance;
    • Business Visa is not a substitute for Residence Permit. As such, it cannot be extended nor renewed while the holder is still in the country;
    • Applicants of Multiple Visa who are not USA national are strongly advised to read carefully and observe requirements for each category of Multiple Visa as stipulated in the Visa Guidelines. Any application lacking required attachment(s) will be disqualified.
    • Multiple Visa is not supposed to be used as a Residence Permit. The holder can stay at a maximum for 3 months in each visit. This does not mean that, a holder should be staying for 3 months, leave for a while and come back for another 3 months.
    • Transit Visa is strictly for applicants who wish to pass through the United Republic of Tanzania to other countries and MUST be supported by onward ticket and Visa (If applicable) to such other country. Visiting Tanzania for tourism for few days does not warrant applicant to apply for Transit Visa.
    • All applicants (travellers) MUST show their return ticket upon arrival.
  • Applicants whose countries fall under Referral Visa are advised to observe the Visa Procedure for Referral visa Category;
Testimonials

Travellers Experiences

Jessica
Feb 4, 2019
Spend 10 days in Tanzania and it was truely a once in a lifetime trip. The Serengeti is amazing. Ali was prompt in getting back to us.The only downside was getting swarmed by people trying to sell you stuff anytime we would exit the vehicle. .
Hussain Halai
Jan 22, 2019
Excellent communication skills. updated regularly about the package. the accomodation in serengeti was excellent with beautiful views and very good food, the driver was well informed about the safari and answered our quesions promptly, book and fly director Mr Ali made sure that our trip went smoothly as possible
Khozema
Aug 9, 2016
The whole package tour was set to our needs and worked out perfectly with consideration to time and budget. The driver and tour guide were knowledgeable and pleasant, tour bus was not the most comfortable since we were driving most of the day through dusty unpaved bumpy roads.
Jay
Jul 4, 2016
I arrived at Nairobi airport at midnight after a delay and our driver was patiently waiting and managed to safely take us back to Arusha where I spent a few days adjusting to the time and visiting with local friends and family..

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