Tanzania visa: who needs one, documents and fees

At a glance

Authority: Immigration Service Department of the United Republic of Tanzania
Submission channel: Online at visa.immigration.go.tz, accessible from the “e-services” button on the official website; visa on arrival possible for certain nationalities only.
Passport for the application: At least 6 months of validity and one unused visa page before submitting the application.
Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar: One visa covers both destinations. State the first destination in the form; also check other formalities specific to your trip.

Do you need a visa?

Your nationality

Rwanda passport: no visa needed for a short tourist stay.

For a short tourist stay with an ordinary passport. To work, study or stay longer, the rules are different: check your situation.

Good to know

Visa exemption: country cited on the official page "List of Countries whose Nationals do not require Visa" of the Tanzania eVisa portal; duration not specified.

Official source: Tanzania eVisa (Immigration Services Department) — Guidelines (sections 6 to 8) and the list « Countries whose Nationals do not require Visa »Tanzania eVisa (Immigration Services Department) — Guidelines (sections 6 à 8) et liste « Countries whose Nationals do not require Visa » (new tab) Verified on 24 September 2026

All destinations for this nationality

VisaGuideline helps you prepare your application. The decision belongs to the country’s authority: check the official page before paying or applying.

Tanzania visa: who needs one?

Based on the verified entry rules, for a short tourist stay with an ordinary passport.

Visa exemption 46

List of nationalities

Visa on arrival 121

List of nationalities

Visa required 21

List of nationalities

Information not available 2

List of nationalities

A nationality missing from this list does not establish a visa exemption. Consult the official authority.

Documented visa types

“Ordinary (Single Entry) Visa”: If a tourist visa is required: ordinary visa at 50 USD, valid up to 90 days. Holders of a United States passport apply for a multiple visa, even for a single entry. The ordinary visa authorises neither work nor commercial activity. Official page (new tab)
“Business Visa”: For short professional assignments: 250 USD, single entry and maximum validity of 90 days, with no re-entry after exit. For an activity exceeding 3 months, apply for the appropriate work or residence permit. Official page (new tab)
“Multiple Entry Visa”: 100 USD; maximum validity of 12 months, with at most 3 months (90 days) per visit. It covers in particular tourism with a United States passport and certain professional or family situations, with supporting documents specific to the purpose. Official page (new tab)
“Transit Visa”: 30 USD; maximum duration of 7 days to cross Tanzania to another country. This visa is not suitable for tourism. Prepare the destination country's visa or the onward ticket according to your situation. Official page (new tab)
“Student Visa”: For study, research, internship, volunteering or exchange. The official page indicates 50 USD for a programme of 90 days at most, and 250 USD beyond. Other rates depend on the category: have the applicable amount confirmed before payment. Official page (new tab)
“Gratis Visa”: For an official trip with a diplomatic, service or official passport, or a document of a recognised international organisation; dependants holding the specified passports. An ordinary passport may be accepted at the discretion of the competent commissioners. Official page (new tab)

Choosing the right procedure

Start by checking your nationality, the passport used and the purpose of your stay. The immigration service recommends applying online; the visa on arrival remains reserved for eligible situations. Use the official portal visa.immigration.go.tz.

Each passport holder submits a separate application, including a child mentioned in their parents' application. An interview may be requested at the Tanzanian embassy or consulate nearest to where you apply.

For the “Referral Visa” category, apply online and wait for approval before departure, or obtain authorisation from the Commissioner General. Allow at least 2 months. Provide the local host's contact details if available and attach the invitation or request letter addressed to the Commissioner General.

If you fall within this category, are a refugee or are stateless, do not rely on a visa on arrival without prior authorisation from the Commissioner General. The authority recommends waiting for approval before paying for tickets or accommodation and making reservations; an itinerary may replace the ticket in the online application.

Steps of the procedure

Check the applicable procedure and choose the visa type matching the real purpose of your stay.
Open the official portal, start the application with your email address and keep the identification number.
Fill in the form with the exact data from the passport. For a trip to mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar, state the first destination.
Add the photograph and the documents specific to the visa requested. Review everything: no changes are possible after submission.
After the payment notification, pay the fees online with a Visa or MasterCard, then submit the application and keep the confirmation.
Track the application with its number, your email address and the answer to your security question. You can download the approval notice from the status page.
Wait for the “Visa Grant Notice” before departure and check its dates. If there is an error or a flight change, contact immigration for the procedure to follow.

Documents to prepare depending on the visa

For the application: passport valid for at least 6 months, with at least one unused visa page, and a copy of its identity page.
Application and declaration form completed online; payment of the applicable fees.
Return ticket to present on arrival. For a “Referral Visa”, refugee or stateless application, an itinerary may replace the uploaded ticket; the return ticket must still be presented on arrival.
Colour photo on a plain background, full face front view, eyes open, natural expression, without troublesome shadows; at most 45 mm high by 35 mm wide, in JPG or JPEG format, file of 500 KB at most.
Glasses normally worn are permitted; a religious head covering is permitted if the face remains visible from chin to forehead and on both sides.
Business visa: contract or other proof of the short professional assignment, in addition to the passport and return ticket.
Multiple visa: supporting documents suited to the purpose. For a family visit, invitation and proof of relationship; for a non-resident director, company documents and “BRELA SEARCH” proof. Check the full list for your category.
Study: copy of the passport, letter from the host institution stating the course and its duration, open return ticket and the corresponding fees.
Transit: entry visa for the destination country or onward ticket, depending on the situation.

Requirements depend on the visa type and the situation; only the official page is authoritative.

Fees, processing times and payment

Rates shown on 18 October 2026: ordinary visa 50 USD, multiple visa 100 USD, business visa 250 USD and transit visa 30 USD. The “Gratis” visa is free of charge for eligible persons. For study, have the rate corresponding to your category and programme duration confirmed before paying.

Fees are paid in advance, non-refundable and non-transferable. This rule applies in particular to refusal, cancellation, postponement of the trip and a second payment. If the notification does not arrive by email, check the tracking before submitting and paying for a new application.

The portal announces processing within 10 days, excluding the “Referral Visa”. The general conditions require submission 10 days before the trip and 2 months for this category. Allow a margin: the announced time does not guarantee the decision date. If it is exceeded, contact the immigration service.

After the decision and on arrival

Comply with the start and end dates shown on the approval notice. Once it has been issued, the applicant cannot have its validity dates postponed or changed. The final decision on admission rests with the immigration officer at the point of entry.

Present the return ticket on arrival and the supporting documents applicable to your visa. Arriving before approval of an online application may lead to payment of new, non-refundable visa fees on arrival, if this procedure applies to you.

The multiple visa may be valid for 12 months, but each visit is limited to 3 months (90 days). With an ordinary visa still valid, the guidelines allow return to Tanzania after a visit to another East African country. This possibility does not apply to the single-entry business visa.

Details for study

The student visa covers academic activities, including research, internship, volunteering, exchange and admission to a registered institution. The official page indicates 50 USD for programmes of 90 days at most and 250 USD beyond; other rates exist depending on the category. Have the applicable amount confirmed with the immigration service, with the help of the host institution.

For language courses, the visa validity does not exceed 6 months. Nationals exempt from a visa who come for an academic project must apply for a “Student Pass”. Tourist visa exemption does not replace this formality.

Prepare your application

Tourism (short stay)

Document list for 188 nationalities · any residence · Verified on 7 October 2026
Tourist visa: documents, fees and steps Visa on arrival: documents, fees and steps See my document list — Tourism (short stay)

Frequently asked questions

Do you need a visa for Tanzania?

The procedure depends on your nationality, passport and purpose. Select your nationality on this page, then check the official portal. An exemption, a visa on arrival or an advance application may apply; if in doubt, have your situation confirmed by immigration before booking.

Where is the application submitted?

Online at visa.immigration.go.tz, accessible from “e-services” on the official website. An on-arrival option exists for certain nationalities only; applying online is recommended.

What are the indicated fees?

Rates shown on 18 October 2026: ordinary visa 50 USD, multiple visa 100 USD, business 250 USD, transit 30 USD. The “Gratis” visa is free of charge for eligible beneficiaries. For study, confirm the rate according to the category and programme duration. Fees paid are neither refundable nor transferable.

How long can you stay with a multiple-entry visa?

The visa is valid for at most 12 months, but each consecutive stay is limited to 3 months (90 days). Visa validity is not the same as the length of stay authorised on each visit.

What processing times are announced?

Processing within 10 days, excluding the referral regime; submit 10 days before the trip, and at least 2 months in advance for the referral regime. These times are not a guarantee.

Is another visa needed for Zanzibar?

One visa allows visiting mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar. State the first destination in the form and check the other formalities for your trip. The approval notice does not guarantee entry: the immigration officer makes the final decision.

Official links

Authority marks the official website of an administration of the destination country.

Tanzania visas: categories, documents and procedures (new tab) consulted on 18 October 2026 Official portal
Application conditions and payment rules (new tab) consulted on 18 October 2026 Official portal
Apply for an electronic visa for Tanzania (new tab) consulted on 18 October 2026 Official portal
Track a visa application for Tanzania (new tab) consulted on 18 October 2026 Official portal
Official guide to Tanzania visas — PDF (new tab) consulted on 18 October 2026 Authority

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