Tanzania Visa Requirements: What You Need to Know
Most visitors planning a Tanzania safari need a visa before they travel. The good news is that the process is straightforward, and you can apply entirely online before you travel. Here is what actually matters.
Which Visa You Need
Tanzania issues two main visas for leisure travelers, and the one you apply for depends on your passport.
Ordinary (Single Entry) Visa—This is the standard tourist visa for most nationalities. It costs $50 USD, is valid for up to 90 days, and allows a single entry into Tanzania.
Multiple Entry Visa — If you hold a United States passport, you must apply for this visa, even if you only plan to enter Tanzania once. American citizens are not entitled to the Ordinary Visa due to a bilateral agreement. The Multiple Entry Visa costs $100 USD, is valid for 12 months, and allows stays of up to three months per visit.
How to Apply
The Tanzanian government recommends applying online through the official eVisa portal visa.immigration.go.tz before you travel. Visa on arrival is technically available at major airports and some border crossings, but wait times can exceed two hours, and the process involves multiple queues. Applying in advance is faster and less stressful.
You will need your passport details, a recent passport-style photograph, and a copy of your return flight ticket. The application is completed online, and you pay the fee by Visa or Mastercard.
How Long It Takes
Standard applications are processed within 10 working days. Apply at least 60 days before departure to give yourself a buffer. Some nationalities fall under a "referral" category that requires extra processing time, so check your country's status on the immigration website before you book flights.
Passport and Health Requirements
Your passport must be valid for at least six months after your trip ends and have at least one blank visa page. This is strictly enforced and is the most common reason travelers are stopped before departure.
Yellow fever vaccination proof is required if you are arriving from a country with yellow fever risk. If you are flying directly from the United States and only transiting through a non-risk country, it is not required. A doctor's letter can waive the requirement if you cannot receive the vaccine for medical reasons.
One Thing to Check Before You Book
Visa rules and fees change. Before you apply, confirm the current requirements on the official Tanzanian immigration website.
With your visa in hand, the real planning begins. Our Tanzania safari guide walks you through the northern and southern circuits, the best months to travel, and what a trip actually costs.