Tanzania Travel Guide
Tanzania Visa Guide for Safari Travelers
A calm, practical walk-through of the eVisa: who needs one, how to apply safely, and what to have in hand when you land.
The short version
At the time of writing, most visitors to Tanzania, including citizens of the United States, the United Kingdom and EU countries, need a visa for a safari or beach holiday. The simplest route is to apply online, in advance, through the official Tanzania Immigration eVisa portal, then carry a printed copy of your approval when you fly.
The process is straightforward, but it rewards a little care. Look-alike websites run by third-party agents often appear above the official portal in search results. They add a service charge to the government fee, and some are simply unreliable. The genuine portal is run by the Immigration Department on a government (.go.tz) address, and we’ve linked it under Sources at the end of this guide.
Rules, fees and processing times change. This guide reflects the position at the time of writing and isn’t immigration advice, so always confirm the current requirements for your nationality before you travel.
How to Apply for the eVisa
Set aside about half an hour, with your passport and a few digital documents to hand. Each traveler, including children, typically needs a separate application.
Go directly to the official portal
Type the address from the Sources list rather than clicking a search ad. If a site asks for an “expedite” or “assistance” fee, you’re probably not on the government portal.
Prepare your documents
You’ll usually be asked for a scan of your passport photo page, a recent passport-style photo and your return or onward flight details. Some applicants are also asked for an itinerary or accommodation confirmation, and the itinerary we send you covers this.
Choose the right visa type
Most leisure travelers need the ordinary (tourist) visa. At the time of writing, US citizens have typically been issued a multiple-entry tourist visa at a higher fee than most other nationalities’ single-entry visa. The portal shows what applies to your passport, so confirm the current fee there.
Pay online and save your reference
The fee is paid by card at the end. Note your application ID and keep the confirmation email to check progress.
Watch for follow-up requests
Occasionally the immigration office asks for a clearer photo or an extra document. Check your email, including spam folders, while the application is pending.
Print your grant notice
Once approved, download the visa grant notice. Print a copy to show at immigration, and keep a digital copy on your phone that you can open offline.
At a Glance
| Topic | What to know |
|---|---|
| Who needs a visa | Most visitors, including US, UK and EU citizens, at the time of writing. Check the portal for your passport. |
| Where to apply | Only the official Tanzania Immigration eVisa portal, on a .go.tz address. Avoid look-alike agent sites. |
| When to apply | Roughly four to eight weeks before you fly. Processing times vary, so don’t leave it to the final days. |
| Tourist visa | The ordinary (tourist) visa: typically single-entry for most nationalities and multiple-entry for US citizens. |
| Fee | At the time of writing, US$100 for US citizens and US$50 for most other nationalities. Confirm the current fee on the official portal. |
| Length of stay | Tourist visas typically allow stays of up to 90 days. Your grant notice and entry stamp are the final word. |
| Passport | Commonly at least six months’ validity beyond your stay and at least two blank pages. Requirements can vary, so check. |
| Zanzibar | Part of Tanzania, so the same visa applies. At the time of writing, Zanzibar also requires its own inbound travel insurance. |
| Kenya | Needs a separate Kenya eTA, applied for on Kenya’s official portal. |
| Yellow fever | A certificate may be required depending on where you arrive from or transit. See our vaccines guide. |
Details reflect the position at the time of writing and change from time to time.
Zanzibar, Kenya and yellow fever
Zanzibar is part of the United Republic of Tanzania, so your Tanzanian visa covers it. Since 2024, though, the Zanzibar government has also required international visitors to hold a specific inbound travel insurance policy, bought through its official channel. At the time of writing this still applies, alongside your own travel insurance. Keep your passport with you on flights and ferries to the islands, where documents are commonly checked. Our safari and Zanzibar guide covers the rest.
Kenya combinations need a little forethought. Kenya uses its own Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA), applied for separately on Kenya’s official portal. If your route leaves Tanzania and comes back, for a few nights in the Masai Mara mid-trip for example, a single-entry Tanzanian visa may not cover your return. Share your routing early and we’ll plan the order of countries with this in mind. Our Tanzania and Kenya itinerary shows how the two usually fit together.
Yellow fever is the document that catches people out. Tanzania may ask for a yellow fever certificate if you arrive from, or have spent a significant transit period in, a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. Kenya is one of them, which matters for combined itineraries. Our vaccines and yellow fever guide explains what to discuss with a travel-health clinic.
Documents to have ready
Keep these together in your carry-on, never in checked luggage, with digital copies saved offline on your phone.
- Your passport, with at least six months’ validity beyond your stay and blank pages for stamps
- A printed eVisa grant notice for each traveler, plus a digital copy
- Your return or onward flight details
- Your itinerary and the address of your first night’s accommodation
- A yellow fever certificate (the “yellow card”) if your route requires one
- Travel insurance details and, for Zanzibar, proof of the required inbound policy at the time of writing
- A Kenya eTA approval if your trip includes Kenya
- For a child traveling with one parent or another adult, a signed consent letter and a copy of the birth certificate (not always requested, but sensible to carry)
- A photocopy of your passport photo page, stored separately from the original
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a visa on arrival in Tanzania?
Visas on arrival have been available at major entry points for many nationalities, but policies change and queues can be long after a long-haul flight. At the time of writing, applying for the eVisa in advance is the smoother, recommended route; confirm the current position on the official portal.
How long does the Tanzania eVisa take?
Processing times vary with season and demand. Many applications are approved within a couple of weeks, but some take longer or need follow-up, so we suggest applying roughly four to eight weeks before you fly. Check the portal for how long an approved visa remains valid so you don’t apply too early.
Do I need a separate visa for Zanzibar?
No. Zanzibar is part of Tanzania, so your Tanzanian visa covers it. At the time of writing, however, Zanzibar requires its own mandatory inbound travel insurance, and passports are commonly checked on arrival.
Does the East Africa Tourist Visa cover Tanzania?
At the time of writing, no. The East Africa Tourist Visa was created for Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda, and Tanzania is not part of it. If your journey includes Tanzania, you’ll need a Tanzanian visa as well as whatever the other countries currently require for your nationality.
Do I need a new visa if I visit Kenya and come back to Tanzania?
It depends on the visa you hold. A multiple-entry visa, which US citizens are typically issued at the time of writing, is designed for this, while a single-entry visa may not cover re-entry. Share your full routing with us before you apply, and confirm on the official portal which visa suits your plans.
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