Written by
Don KasimFounder, Magical Tanzania · 48 years guiding Tanzania
Updated August 2026·9 min read
Quick Answer
Do I need a visa for Tanzania?
Yes — most travellers need a visa. The standard tourist e-Visa costs $50 for most nationalities ($100 for US citizens), is processed in 5–10 working days, and is valid for up to 90 days. Apply online at visa.immigration.go.tz before you fly — visa-on-arrival queues at Kilimanjaro Airport can run 60+ minutes.
Free Entry (90 days)
Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi + 11 SADC states (South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Lesotho, Eswatini, Seychelles)
e-Visa Required
UK, EU, Canada, Australia, NZ, Japan, S. Korea, Singapore, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar — $50, 5–10 days processing
Higher Fee
United States — $100 e-Visa (instead of $50), otherwise same process. Most other nationalities pay $50.
Tanzania's visa process has been modernised significantly since the launch of the e-Visa system in 2024. For most travellers, applying online before departure is now the fastest and most reliable option. This guide covers every nationality, cost, processing time, and what to expect when you land at Kilimanjaro International Airport.
By Nationality
Do You Need a Visa?
Visa Free (90 days)
Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, SADC member states (Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles)
e-Visa ($50 standard / $100 for US)
UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Ireland, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait
Visa on Arrival (not recommended)
Available for most other nationalities — but apply online to avoid delays
Note: This list is indicative. Visa requirements change — always verify with the Tanzania Immigration website or your nearest Tanzanian embassy before travel. If your nationality is not listed, check the official e-Visa portal.
Step by Step
How to Apply: e-Visa vs. Visa on Arrival
Check Your Eligibility
Visit the Tanzania e-Visa portal (visa.immigration.go.tz) and enter your nationality. The system will confirm whether you are eligible for an e-Visa or if you need to apply through an embassy.
Complete the Online Application
Fill in the e-Visa form with your passport details, travel dates, and accommodation booking. You will need a scanned copy of your passport photo (digital, standard passport size). The form takes approximately 15 minutes.
Pay the Visa Fee
Pay online by credit or debit card. Standard tourist visa: $50 (most nationalities) or $100 (US citizens). Payment is non-refundable if your application is declined.
Wait for Approval
Processing takes 5–10 working days for e-Visa. You will receive an approval letter by email. Print this letter — you will need to present it at the immigration desk on arrival.
Arrive at Kilimanjaro Airport
Go to the 'e-Visa' queue at immigration (usually shorter than the visa-on-arrival queue). Present your approval letter, passport (valid for 6+ months), and return ticket. The officer will stamp your passport and record your permitted stay.
Documents
What You Need at the Airport
- Passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended departure date
- At least one blank page for the entry stamp
- Printed e-Visa approval letter (if applying via e-Visa system)
- Return or onward ticket ( immigration officers may ask to see this)
- Yellow fever vaccination certificate (if arriving from or transiting through an endemic country)
- Proof of accommodation for your first nights in Tanzania
- Evidence of sufficient funds for your stay (rarely checked, but possible)
Specifics for Common Nationalities
What to Expect for Your Passport
Our Arusha office processes dozens of guest arrivals every week. These are the visa situations we see most often, with the practical details that the immigration website does not mention.
United States citizens — $100 e-Visa
The US pays a higher fee than other nationalities — $100 instead of $50, with the same 5–10 working day processing window. The fee was raised in 2018 and has remained at that level since. The application portal accepts all major credit and debit cards. Apply at least 14 days before travel to be safe; the US State Department routinely lists Tanzania as a destination where e-Visa processing can take the full 10 working days.
United Kingdom citizens — $50 e-Visa
UK citizens pay the standard $50 fee and are typically approved within 5–7 working days. British passport holders do not need a separate visa for short stopovers at Addis Ababa or Nairobi en route to Tanzania, but if you transit through Addis for more than 12 hours you may need a transit visa for Ethiopia — check Ethiopian requirements separately.
EU Schengen citizens — $50 e-Visa
All 27 EU member states pay the standard $50 fee. German, French, Italian, Spanish, Dutch, and Belgian passport holders are the largest groups we receive. Approval typically arrives in 5–7 working days. Schengen residency does not affect the requirement — your nationality on the passport is what counts.
Australian, Canadian, New Zealand citizens — $50 e-Visa
Standard $50 fee with normal 5–10 working day processing. Australian and Canadian passport holders should note that dual citizens of these countries who also hold a visa-free nationality (e.g. UK-Australian) should apply using the passport they intend to enter on — your boarding airline will check the passport you present at check-in.
Indian, Chinese, Russian citizens — $50 e-Visa
Indian and Chinese passport holders are eligible for the standard $50 e-Visa. Processing for these nationalities can occasionally take the full 10 working days, so apply at least 14 days before departure. Russian passport holders are also eligible but should verify requirements at the nearest Tanzanian embassy before applying — rules for Russian nationals have shifted in recent years.
SADC and EAC citizens — visa-free
Citizens of Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and the 11 SADC member states (South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Lesotho, Eswatini, Seychelles) enter Tanzania visa-free for stays up to 90 days. They receive an entry stamp on arrival and can travel freely within the country. This makes regional safari combinations (e.g. Kenya safari + Tanzania safari) much simpler logistically.
Pitfalls
Five Common Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)
We see the same five visa issues almost every week. None of them will ruin your trip, but they can cost you time at the airport or a wasted application. Read this section before you submit your e-Visa application.
1. Uploading a photo that does not meet specifications
The e-Visa portal requires a recent colour photo, white background, taken within the last 6 months, 600×600 pixels minimum, head centred and facing the camera with both ears visible. Selfies taken in a low-light hotel room are the single most common reason for rejection. If you do not have a compliant photo, use a passport photo app or visit a pharmacy with a photo booth before you apply.
2. Forgetting to print the approval letter
You will receive an approval letter by email. Print this and carry it with your passport. The e-Visa is electronically linked to your passport number, but the immigration desk still wants to see the printed approval. A photograph on your phone is sometimes accepted, but a paper printout removes any uncertainty at the desk.
3. Applying too late
The stated processing time is 5–10 working days, but our office has seen e-Visas take the full 10 days for US, Australian and several Asian nationalities. Apply at least 14 days before departure — two weeks gives you a buffer for any clarification emails or re-submissions.
4. Booking accommodation before the visa is approved
The e-Visa application asks for an accommodation address in Tanzania. Many travellers book and pay for their first hotel in advance, then enter that address in the form. That works — but if the visa is delayed or rejected, you cannot easily cancel the booking. We recommend using a refundable booking for the visa application address, then rebooking once the visa is approved.
5. Confusing the East Africa Tourist Visa with the Tanzania e-Visa
The East Africa Tourist Visa ($100) covers Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda only — it does NOT include Tanzania. If your itinerary includes Tanzania, you need a separate Tanzania e-Visa ($50 or $100). We see this mistake several times a year from guests who try to use an EATV for the Tanzania leg and are turned away at immigration.
From Our Arusha Office
What We Tell Every Guest Before They Fly
Magical Tanzania has been receiving international guests at Kilimanjaro International Airport since 1978. Our office team handles the visa situation for arriving guests as a matter of routine. Here is what we tell every traveller in the confirmation email before their trip.
Apply online, not on arrival. The e-Visa system is faster and the immigration queue for e-Visa holders is much shorter. Visa on arrival still exists, but the queue at Kilimanjaro can run 60–90 minutes after a long-haul flight — and the cost is identical ($50 or $100 depending on nationality). There is no reason to wait.
Print everything. Approval letter, return ticket, accommodation confirmation for at least the first two nights, and a yellow fever certificate if applicable. Paper copies survive the immigration desk better than phone screenshots.
Sort your visa before you book non-refundable flights. This is the most important advice. If your visa is delayed or rejected, you can lose thousands of dollars in airline tickets. If you are travelling during peak season (July–October or December–February), book refundable tickets first, then apply for the visa, then confirm the flights once you have the approval letter in hand.
Tell us if you have a non-standard situation. Travelling with children only one parent knows about? Have a visa in a passport that is about to expire? Coming from a country where the rules occasionally shift? Tell our office before you apply. We have seen almost every edge case in 48 years of receiving international guests and can usually tell you in advance whether the application will succeed.
Visa FAQs
Common Questions
Do I need a visa to enter Tanzania?
How much does a Tanzania visa cost?
Can I get a Tanzania visa on arrival?
What is the East Africa Tourist Visa?
Do I need a yellow fever vaccination for Tanzania?
How long can I stay on a Tanzania tourist visa?
Do children need a visa for Tanzania?
Can I extend my Tanzania visa if I want to stay longer?
What if my e-Visa application is rejected?
Is the Tanzania e-Visa the same as a Kenya e-Visa?
Questions about your specific nationality's visa requirements?
Don has helped thousands of travellers navigate the Tanzania visa process. He can advise on your specific situation.
Ask Don About Visas