VISA

Foreign eligible visitors traveling to Tanzania for Tourism purposes must have a visa to travel to and between Tanzania and Zanzibar. Applicants can obtain a visa by completing a straightforward online visa application. Citizens from eligible countries are required to complete an online application form to receive the approved visa for Tanzania and Zanzibar.

Any foreigner seeking to enter the United Republic of Tanzania is subject to the following entry requirements:

• A passport or Travel Document which is valid for not less than six months;
• A Residence Permit or a Pass or his name is endorsed upon the same;
• A valid Visa (where applicable) from any Tanzania Mission abroad or on arrival at any designated entry points. Visa issuing centers.

 About Visa 

A visa is permission granted to a foreigner to enter and remain in the United Republic of Tanzania for a specific period. A visa is issued to a visitor who intends to enter Tanzania for a visit, tourism, leisure, holiday, business, health treatment, attending a conference, or any other related activities recognized by the Laws of the country.

Types of Visa:

Single Entry VISA (ORDINARY VISA)

This Visa is issued for a single entry to a visitor for a period not exceeding three months for holidays, visiting, leisure, health treatment, studies, or any other activity legally recognized by the Law.

An application for an Ordinary Visa should be accompanied by the following;

• Copy of the applicant’s valid passport (biographic data page);
• Return ticket of the flight (not mandatory);
• Duly filled in the declaration form
• 50 USD visa fee.

Multiple Entry VISA

This visa may be issued to foreign visitors who come for Official visits, Government Missions, family reunions, or any other circumstances as may be determined by the Office of the Commissioner-General of Immigration, which calls for frequent visits to the United Republic of Tanzania. These are Directors of Companies registered in Tanzania who do not reside in the country, Spouse or members of a family (Family reunion), Bilateral Agreement Representatives, Private or Government Consultants, etc.

The maximum validity of this Visa is twelve months. However, the holder of the Multiple Visa cannot stay in the country for 12 consecutive months. They are required to leave the country at most every three months.

Caution: The Multiple Visa is not intended for those visitors coming for business purposes such as those described under the Business Visa category.

NB: American nationals who wish to visit Tanzania for tourism or holiday purposes, are required to apply for this type of Visa.

An application for a multiple-entry visa should be accompanied by the following;

• Copy of the applicant’s valid passport (biographic data page);
• 100 USD Visa fee;
• Valid passport or national ID of the person to be visited in Tanzania (host) OR;
• A cover letter of the host Institution detailing the reasons and frequency of Visits OR;
• Attached Certificate of the marriage of a spouse and a passport/national ID, if the applicant comes to visit a spouse OR;
• Any proof that justifies that a visitor is required to visit the United Republic of Tanzania frequently.
• Return ticket of the flight (not mandatory);

Gratis VISA

This visa may be issued for a single entry or multiple entries to a holder of diplomatic, services or official passport or Travel Document of a recognized International Organization who is on official duty and their Dependents. It can also be issued to a holder of the ordinary passport or Travel document as it may be directed by the Commissioner-General of Immigration and Commissioner of Immigration Zanzibar.

Transit  VISA

This Visa may be issued to foreign nationals to transit through to another destination outside the United Republic for a period not exceeding seven days. The applicant of this visa may be required to provide proof of a Visa from the destination country and/or an Onward flight ticket.

An application for a multiple-entry visa should be accompanied by the following;

• Copy of the applicant’s valid passport (biographic data page);
• 30 USD visa fee.
• An entry visa or onward ticket to the intended country of destination;

Business VISA

This visa may be issued to those expatriates who wish to come for short-term assignments which in any way do not exceed 90 days. It may be issued to such foreign expatriates to allow them to enter the United Republic of Tanzania for the following purposes;

To conduct special assignments such as fixing/repairing machines or running short-term training, etc.

To conduct professional roles such as auditing accounts etc.

To conduct lawful business according to the laws of the country.

Business visas will be issued at the Immigration Headquarters, Dar Es Salaam, the Immigration Head Office, Zanzibar, Entry Points, and Tanzanian Consular Offices abroad.

An application for a multiple-entry visa should be accompanied by the following;

• Copy of the applicant’s valid passport (biographic data page);
• Return ticket of the flight;
• 250 USD visa fee.
• A work contract or any proof of the work/assignment to be performed within a period not exceeding three months; or

Student VISA

This visa may be issued for a single entry or multiple entries to a holder of diplomatic, services or official passport or Travel Document of a recognized International Organization who is on official duty and their Dependents. It can also be issued to a holder of the ordinary passport or Travel document as it may be directed by the Commissioner-General of Immigration and Commissioner of Immigration Zanzibar.

An application for a multiple-entry visa should be accompanied by the following;

• Copy of the applicant’s valid passport (biographic data page);
• 50 USD, 250 USD, or 550 USD Visa fee depending on the category and duration.
• Covering letter from the host institution/college where the foreign student will be hosted, the letter must detail the course/field and duration of the program to be attended

Referral Cases

There are some countries in which their nationals require special clearance from the Commissioner General of Immigration or the Commissioner of Immigration (Zanzibar) before issuance of the Visa. These countries fall under the Referral Visa Category.

Applicants whose nationals fall under this category are not advised to book flight tickets or make payments for any reservations in Tanzania before they get approval for their Visa. Applicants of Referral Visa are advised to apply at least two months before their date of travel.

Visa Application for Referral Cases

There are two modalities of application for Referral Visa Applicants. The first one, which is recommended, is for applicants to seek permission clearance first, through their host in Tanzania. In this case, the host submits the request letter detailing the reasons and duration of stay of the visitor, to the Commissioner-General of immigration, or the Commissioner of Zanzibar, if the applicant wishes to visit Zanzibar. In this modality, the applicant while applying Online will attach his photo (passport size), Passport/Travel Document (biographic data page), and a permission letter granted. His application will be processed within five working days

The second option is for the applicant to apply directly online by attaching the following attachments while making an application:

• Applicant Passport size photo;
• Applicant Valid copy of Passport (biographic data page);
• Covering letter from a legally registered Institution/ Company if the visit is official or a covering letter from an individual who knows the applicant if the trip is personal, the letter must detail the purpose of the visit and duration of stay of the prospective visitor;
• 50 USD Visa fee
• This application will be processed within two months.

Note: Stateless persons and Refugees who hold Vienna Convention documents are also required to obtain a referral visa before coming to the United Republic of Tanzania.