Tanzania Visa 2026 Guide: E-Visa, Fees, and Documentation Simplified

(TANZANIA) Tanzania keeps its 2026 entry system simple: most visitors either apply for eVisas online or get a visa on arrival at major airports and borders. For many travelers, the online route is faster and more predictable, with decisions usually in 2–10 business days and fewer surprises at the counter. The right visa type, the right fee, and the right documents matter because Tanzanian officers can refuse entry if you show up unprepared. This guide walks through the full process, from choosing a category to extending in-country.

Choosing the visa category before you book

Immigration Services issues several visas that cover both mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar, so you don’t need a separate Zanzibar permit.

The most common visas and key features:

Student fee bands:
– $50 — single-entry, three-month stay
– $250 — multiple-entry up to one or two years
– $300 — six-month research stay
– $550 — PhD programs up to two years

Some travelers enter visa-free (noted: nationals of the East African Community and many SADC countries, with listed exceptions). Everyone else should assume a visa is required and plan early, especially in peak travel months.

eVisas versus visa on arrival: how to choose

Both routes are legal, but they feel different on travel day.

• An eVisa gives you a written approval notice before you fly, reducing airport uncertainty and helping families.
• Visa on arrival is still available for eligible nationalities at major airports and selected borders but can involve longer waits and limited payment options (often cash in US dollars).

Officers ask for the same evidence at arrival, so arriving without paperwork can end with refusal. As VisaVerge.com reports, clearing the decision before departure is the best way to avoid stress.

Key takeaway: If you want predictability and less risk of being turned back at the airport, apply online via the eVisa portal.

Step-by-step: applying online through the official portal

Apply as soon as your travel dates are stable. Tanzania’s Immigration Department runs the application site; using it directly helps you avoid extra service charges from third-party sellers.

Start at the official portal: https://visa.immigration.go.tz

Steps:
1. Complete the online form with your purpose of travel, intended entry point, and contact information.
2. Upload clear scans: passport biodata page, a passport photo, and proof of itinerary (flights and hotel bookings).
3. Add purpose documents when needed, such as a business invitation letter, school enrollment proof, or a yellow fever certificate.
4. Pay the fee by card, then monitor email and the portal until you can download your Visa Grant Notice.

Processing times:
– Standard: 2–7 business days
– Peak demand: up to 10+ business days

Recommendations:
– Apply 2–4 weeks before travel to avoid last-minute airport decisions.
– Print the Visa Grant Notice and keep a digital copy on your phone — airlines often ask to see the approval before boarding.
– Keep one spare passport photo and a printed itinerary in your carry-on.

If immigration rejects an application, applicants may be called for an embassy interview before travel is permitted.

Step-by-step: getting a visa on arrival

Visa on arrival works best for travelers with simple plans and strong documentation. Be prepared for border questions and potential queues.

Arrival process:
– Present your passport, photos, and completed arrival form; clearly state your exact purpose of travel.
– Show onward/return tickets, confirmed accommodation, and funds evidence.
– Pay the correct fee (usually $50 or $100, depending on nationality and visa type).
– Keep your receipt and the entry stamp page safe — needed if you seek an extension.

Important exclusions and referral process:
– Not everyone qualifies for visa on arrival. Stateless people, refugees, and travelers from nationalities requiring Commissioner General approval must secure permission before travel.
– Tanzania uses a “referral visa” process for listed high-risk nationalities: pre-approval takes 2–6 weeks, with a reported fee of $250.
– Arriving without required clearance risks being turned back at the border, even with hotel bookings and return tickets.

Documents and health checks officers enforce

Tanzania applies the same document checks whether you use eVisas or visa on arrival. Officers expect entry at formal ports of entry.

Carry these items:
– Passport valid at least six months
– Photo for upload or printing
– Flight and hotel proof
– Funds evidence (bank statements)
– Purpose proof (invitation or admission letters)

Health requirement:
– Yellow fever vaccination certificate is required if you arrive from or transit through an endemic country in parts of Africa or South America.

Fees, validity, and common budgeting traps

Visa fees are set in US dollars and are generally non-refundable. Confirm you picked the right category before paying.

Common fees (summary):
– Ordinary tourist: $50
– Multiple-entry: $100
– Business: $250
– Transit: $30
– Student: $50–$550 (by program)

Budgeting traps to avoid:
– Tanzania sometimes sets nationality-specific rates; the checkout amount may differ from a friend’s quote.
– Beware of unofficial websites that mimic the government portal and add extra “service fees.”
– If you need repeated trips (family visits, volunteering, site work), paying for multiple entry up front often costs less than reapplying.

What happens after you land, and how long you can stay

On arrival, an officer checks passport validity, visa approval or payment, and your stated reason for travel. Keep answers consistent with the visa you requested.

Rules and limits:
– A tourist visa does not permit paid work.
– A business visa is for short, defined engagements — not long-term employment.
– Most short-stay permissions are capped at 90 days per stay; multiple-entry holders still face 90 days per visit.
– If plans change, apply for an extension before the expiry date at immigration offices in Dar es Salaam or Zanzibar. Fees are assessed case by case; tourist extensions are often reported at $50+.
– Overstaying triggers fines and can cause problems on your next entry, including extra questioning and potential denial.

2026 developments to factor into your travel plans

• From January 1, 2026, the United States 🇺🇸 partially suspends entries for Tanzanian nationals on business, tourism, student, and immigrant visas. This affects families and employers with cross-border ties; plan for longer timelines when trips include U.S. paperwork.
• Inside Tanzania, COVID-19 rules have lapsed, but yellow fever checks remain strict.
• Peak season crowds continue to cause the biggest delays at visa on arrival counters. For weddings or conferences, eVisas reduce the risk of losing a day to queues.

Important warning: Visa fees are usually non-refundable and wrong documentation can lead to refusal at entry. Apply early, choose the correct category, and carry printed and digital copies of all key documents.