Check your nationality category
Confirm whether you are visa exempt, eligible for eVisa or visa on arrival, or listed as a referral case.
Tanzania Entry Guide · Updated July 2026
Tanzania Visa Guide for Safari and Zanzibar Travel
Check Tanzania tourist visa options, official eVisa steps, current fees, passport rules and how one visa covers both mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar.
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Quick answer: Tanzania uses one national visa system for both the mainland and Zanzibar. Most tourism visitors who require a visa apply for an Ordinary Visa, while United States passport holders are directed to the Multiple Entry Visa. Eligibility for visa-free entry, eVisa or visa on arrival depends on nationality, so confirm your passport category before paying.
Typical tourism feeUSD 50 ordinary
Common validityUp to 90 days
Online timingAllow at least 10 days
Passport6 months + blank page
How the entry process fits your route
The official Tanzania portal accepts online applications and also explains which nationalities may use visa on arrival. Applying online before departure usually gives you a clearer paper trail for airline check-in, although approval is still not a guarantee of admission. Referral-nationality applications require advance clearance and should be submitted much earlier than ordinary tourism cases.
Continue to our multi-country visa planning guide when your itinerary crosses more than one border.
Document checklist
- Passport biographical page with at least six months’ validity
- Recent colour passport photograph meeting upload specifications
- Return or onward ticket
- Correct visa category and online declaration
- Payment card for the official visa fee
- Accommodation and route details available if requested
Application sequence
Apply on the government portal
Use the Tanzania Immigration website only; record your application ID and the email used.
Carry the grant notice
Travel with the approval notice, passport, return ticket and accommodation details for entry inspection.
Fees and permission types
Compare the main entry options
| Permission | Published fee or basis | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Ordinary tourism visa | USD 50 | Single entry; up to 90 days |
| Multiple Entry Visa | USD 100 | Required for US passport holders travelling for tourism |
| Transit visa | USD 30 | Transit only; not a substitute for a tourism visa |
Official authority: Check the current rules and apply through the government immigration portal. Information was reviewed on 21 July 2026; nationality lists and fees can change.
Common questions
Does one visa cover Zanzibar and mainland Tanzania?
Yes. Tanzania Immigration states that a visitor may travel between mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar without obtaining a second visa, provided the original visa remains valid.
How long does online processing take?
The official guideline says ordinary online applications are processed within ten days, while referral cases require substantially more time and should be submitted at least two months before travel.
Can I work on a tourist visa?
No. The Ordinary Visa is intended for tourism, leisure, visits and other permitted short stays; it does not authorize employment.