Visas for Tanzania can vary based on the length of stay and other permitting factors. In this guide, we’ll provide all the information you need to know about applying for a Tanzania visa, including processing times, general requirements, tracking your visa status, and more.

Types of Tanzania Visas

Tanzania offers several types of visas, including tourist visas, e-Visas, and business visas. Tourist visas are available for up to three months (90 days) and suitable for those traveling for tourism purposes. Business visas are valid for visits of up to three months (90 days) for those traveling for work-related purposes. E-Visas, which are available for both tourism and business travel, are a convenient option for those who want to apply for their visa online.

Entriva offers a range of Tanzania visa services, including tourist visas, business visas, and e-visas. The company provides comprehensive visa application services, from assistance with the application process to support with tracking your Tanzania visa application.

Tourist Visa

The Tanzania Tourist Visa allows foreign passport holders to enter Tanzania for tourism purposes. While there are two types of Tourist Visas (Ordinary and Multiple Entry), US citizens are required to apply for the Multiple Entry Tourist Visa. The Multiple Entry Tourist Visa is valid for a full year (12 months) and permits stays of up to 90 days (three months) per visit. Holders of a tourist visa are not allowed to work in Tanzania.

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Types of Tourist Visas:

  • Multiple Entry Tourist Visa
  • Ordinary Visa (not applicable for US citizens)
  • Digital e-Visa
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Tourist Visa Validity

  • Multiple Entry Tourist Visa
  • Ordinary Visa (not applicable for US citizens)
  • Digital e-Visa
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Tourist Visa Required Documents

  • Valid passport with at least one blank page and six months validity
  • One passport-size photo
  • Proof of return ticket
  • Application form
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Tourist Visa Costs

  • Multiple Entry/e-Visa: government fee, US$100
  • Ordinary Visa (not applicable for US travelers): government fee, US$50

While it’s possible to apply for a Tanzania tourist visa online yourself, booking a visa with Entriva ensures you get the right visa in time, every time. In addition to the mandatory Tanzania government fee, Entriva charges among the industry’s lowest handling fees, starting at just $50.

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Tourist Visa Average Processing Time

Processing time takes an average of 10 business days.

Business Visa

Tanzania business visas are for those who are traveling for work-related purposes and are valid for up to 90 days (three months).

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Types of Business Visas:

  • Business Visa/ e-Visa: Both the standard and e-Visa versions of the Tanzania business visa cost the same and have the same parameters. As such, visa applicants are encouraged to apply for the e-Visa for a speedier process.
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Business Visa Validity

  • 90 days (three months), single entry
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Business Visa Required Documents

In addition to the required documents for a tourist visa (passport, proof of return ticket, etc.), business travelers will need to submit the following:

  • Letter of invitation from Tanzanian company detailing reason and duration of visit
  • Company registration certificate from Tanzanian company
  • Work contract (if applicable)
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Business Visa Costs

  • Business Visa/e-Visa: government fee, US$250
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Business Visa Average Processing Time

The average processing time for a Tanzanian business visa is 10 business days.

E-Visa or Tanzania Electronic Visa

An e-Visa or electronic visa is the fastest and easiest way of obtaining a visa for Tanzania. Travelers can submit their application and supporting documents online and, once approved, receive their confirmation electronically. e-Visas are available for Tanzania’s most popular visas (Tourist and Business) and are in fact recommended, as applying for a Tanzania visa online is much more efficient than sending all your documents to an embassy.

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Types of e-Visa:

  • Tourist e-Visa
  • Business e-Visa
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E-Visa Validity

Tanzania’s electronic visa is valid for one year for US nationals and other countries, granting stays of up to 90 days (three months) per visit.

  • Ordinary e-Visa: Single entry
  • Multiple Entry e-Visa: Multiple entry
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E-Visa Required Documents

  • Passport with at least one blank page and six months validity
  • One passport-size photo
  • Proof of return ticket
  • Application form
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E-Visa Costs

  • Tourist e-Visa (Ordinary Visa): US$50
  • Tourist e-Visa (Multiple Entry Visa): government fee, US$100
  • Business e-Visa: government fee, US$250
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E-Visa Average Processing Time

E-Visas are processed in roughly 10 business days.

What to Know Before Applying for a Visa

Before you apply for a Tanzania visa, there are a few things you should know:

  • E-Visas are preferred: Travelers are encouraged to apply for their Tanzania visa online through the e-Visa option, as it’s faster and more efficient. The majority of Tanzanian visas are now processed and issued digitally.
  • No online renewal: If you want to renew your Tanzania e-Visa or tourist visa, you’ll need to go to the Head Immigration Office in Dar es Salaam. Visa renewal services are not available online at this time.
  • Multiple Entry Visas required: US nationals visiting Tanzania for tourism purposes are required to apply for the Multiple Entry Visa, not the Ordinary Visa. Per this stipulation, it may be easier to leave Tanzania and return for a fresh three-month period rather than applying for a renewal.

Average Processing Time

The average processing time for a Tanzania visa is 10 business days. However, some visa types, such as e-Visas, may be processed more quickly.

How to Track Your Visa Application Process on Entriva

When planning a trip, few things are more stressful than waiting for your visa to arrive without knowing if it will get there in time. At Entriva, we take the stress out of the equation by letting you monitor your application in real-time. Here’s how:

After registering and setting up your profile, you’ll get your own Personal Travel Dashboard, and once you have submitted your visa application to Entriva, you can track the progress of your application online. To track your application, log in to your Entriva account and click on the “My Applications” tab.

On the “My Applications” tab, you will see a list of all of your visa applications. You can click on the “View Details” link for an individual application to see the status of your application.

The status of your application will be updated as it progresses through the processing system. The possible statuses for your application are:

  • Pending: Your application is currently being processed.
  • Approved: Your application has been approved, and your visa will be sent to you.
  • Denied: Your application has been denied. You will receive an email explaining why your application was denied.

In addition to checking your Personal Travel Dashboard for updates about processing, approval, and more, you can also use it for things like organizing to-dos before your trip and checking out our other Tanzania travel resources to answer all your questions.

If you have any questions about your visa application, please contact Entriva customer support.

FAQs about Tanzania Visas and Tanzania Visa Applications

Can I travel to Tanzania without a visa?

With few exceptions, nearly all foreign citizens need to have a valid visa in order to enter Tanzania.

US nationals are allowed to get a visa upon arrival in Tanzania, meaning they don’t need to get a tourist visa in advance and can instead get a tourist visa at customs once they arrive.

How long can I stay in Tanzania with my visa?

Both Tanzanian tourist visas and business visas allow for stays of up to 90 days (three months) per visit.

How far in advance should I get my Tanzania visa?

You can apply for your Tanzanian visa up to six months before you visit Tanzania. The visa’s validity will start at your date of arrival in the country.

Can I extend or renew my Tanzania visa?

You can apply to extend your Tanzanian tourist visa or e-Visa by visiting the Tanzanian Immigration Head Office in Dar es Salaam. Online visa renewal is not available at this time.

Visa renewal is only available for tourist visas. Renewing a business visa requires special permission from the Commissioner General of Immigration.

Can I travel to Tanzania with a different or separate passport than the one I used to get my visa?

You should only travel to Tanzania with the same passport/passport number that’s attached to your visa. If the passport you used to apply for your visa is no longer valid, you’ll need to apply for a new visa.

Where can I find the Government of Tanzania’s official visa and e-Visa portal?

This is the Government of Tanzania’s official visa website, where you can learn more about regular visas or e-Visas.

Where should I keep my Tanzania visa while traveling?

If you received a regular or paper visa, it’ll be put directly into your passport.

For e-Visas, you will receive a digital copy by email. You should print out a copy of the e-Visa to show immigration officers and to keep with you while traveling. International travel document holders are a tidy way to secure your essential travel documents.

Didn’t find the answer you needed? Reach out to us directly—we’re happy to help.

Be Visa-Ready for Tanzania

Obtaining a visa is an essential part of planning your trip. At Entriva, we can easily and efficiently help you with every aspect of getting a Tanzanian visa. Start your visa application process.

For more information on other aspects of travel to Tanzania, including banking and money, local laws, and culture and customs, visit our Tanzania content hub.