Tanzania Visa 2026 — Complete E-Visa Guide for Safari Travellers

Tanzania introduced its mandatory e-visa system in 2021, ending on-arrival visa processing at most entry points. For travellers arriving from the majority of countries, including the UK, US, EU, Canada, Australia, and most of Asia, the process is now done entirely online before you fly.

This guide covers everything a safari traveller needs to know: who needs a visa, how to apply, what it costs, common mistakes, and what to expect at the airport. The information reflects 2026 requirements — Tanzania's visa rules have changed several times in recent years, so verify current requirements with the official Tanzania Immigration portal before applying.

Who Needs a Tanzania Visa?

Most travellers need a visa to enter Tanzania. Citizens of East African Community member states (Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo) can enter visa-free. A small number of other countries have bilateral agreements. Everyone else — including UK, US, EU, Canadian, Australian, and New Zealand passport holders — requires a visa.

Tanzania has a single-entry tourist visa and a multiple-entry visa. For a standard safari, the single-entry tourist visa is correct. If your itinerary includes crossing into Kenya for a Masai Mara extension and returning to Tanzania, you need either a multiple-entry Tanzania visa or an East Africa Tourist Visa (which covers Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda — but not Tanzania as the entry country).

The Tanzania E-Visa: Step by Step

Step 1 — Visit the official portal. The official Tanzania e-visa portal is at immigration.go.tz. Do not use third-party visa services — they charge additional fees for a service you can do directly for the government rate.

Step 2 — Create an account. Register with your email address. You will receive a verification email. Confirm your account before starting the application.

Step 3 — Complete the application form. You will need: your full name as on your passport, passport number, issue date, expiry date, nationality, address in Tanzania (your first hotel or lodge — Safaris Tanzania provides this in your booking confirmation), purpose of visit (tourism), intended arrival date, and flight details if available.

Step 4 — Upload documents. The portal requires: a scanned copy of your passport biographical page (colour, clear, all corners visible), a recent passport-size photograph (white background, plain clothing, full face visible), and sometimes proof of onward travel (a return flight ticket or booking confirmation). Safaris Tanzania includes a document checklist in every booking confirmation.

Step 5 — Pay the visa fee. Payment is made online by card. The current single-entry tourist visa fee is $52 USD for most nationalities (some nationalities pay a different rate — verify on the portal). American Express, Visa, and Mastercard are accepted. Some clients have experienced card declines — if this happens, try a different card or contact your bank to whitelist the transaction.

Step 6 — Wait for approval. Processing time is officially 7–10 business days but often faster — many applicants receive approval within 2–3 business days. Apply at least 3 weeks before departure to allow time for any complications.

Step 7 — Print your e-visa. When approved, you will receive a PDF visa document by email. Print this document in colour. You must present the printed copy at immigration — a digital copy on your phone is not always accepted, particularly at land border crossings.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applying too late. Three weeks before departure is the minimum. If your passport is due to expire within 6 months of your Tanzania departure date, renew it first — Tanzania requires at least 6 months validity and most airlines will not board you without it.

Using a third-party service. Dozens of websites offer to process Tanzania visas for fees of $83–$156. They are filling in the same online form you can complete yourself for $52. There is no advantage to using them and a risk that any errors they make delay or invalidate your application.

Wrong address for Tanzania accommodation. The form asks for an address in Tanzania. Enter your first lodge or hotel. Safaris Tanzania includes the exact address, phone number, and GPS coordinates for your first night's accommodation in your booking confirmation — use those details exactly as written.

Photo not meeting requirements. The portal is strict about photograph specifications: white or off-white background, no glasses, full face visible, taken within the last 6 months. A photo that does not meet these requirements will delay your application.

Not printing the document. Several Safaris Tanzania clients have arrived at Kilimanjaro International Airport with only a digital visa on their phone and experienced delays because the immigration officer required a printed document. Print it. Carry two copies — one in your hand luggage and one in your main bag.

Zanzibar: Does Your Tanzania Visa Cover It?

Yes. Zanzibar is part of Tanzania, and a standard Tanzania tourist visa covers entry to both the mainland and the Zanzibar archipelago. You do not need a separate visa to fly or ferry to Zanzibar. However, there is an additional immigration process when arriving in Zanzibar — you will be processed at the Zanzibar immigration desk even though you already cleared Tanzania customs on the mainland. This is standard and takes 10–15 minutes.

At the Airport: What to Expect

Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) is the main entry point for northern circuit safari travellers. On arrival, proceed to the immigration hall. There is a dedicated e-visa queue, which is typically faster than the standard queue. Present your printed e-visa document, passport, and completed landing card (distributed on the plane or available at the airport). The immigration officer may ask for your Tanzania accommodation address and return flight details — have these accessible.

Total immigration processing time at Kilimanjaro International is typically 15–30 minutes during normal traffic periods. During peak arrival times (particularly morning international arrivals), it can extend to 45–60 minutes. Safaris Tanzania drivers wait in the arrivals hall with a name sign regardless of delays — if your flight is late or immigration takes longer than expected, your driver will be there.

Yellow Fever Certificate

If you are travelling from or through a country designated as a yellow fever endemic zone, Tanzania requires a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate. Countries in this category include most of West and Central Africa, and parts of South America including Brazil and Peru. If you are connecting through Nairobi, you are not considered to be arriving from a yellow fever zone unless you left the airport. Check the current Tanzania Immigration yellow fever country list if you are unsure.

Even if not required, a yellow fever vaccination is recommended for Tanzania by most travel health authorities. It is valid for life (since 2016, the 10-year re-vaccination requirement was removed globally). It is one of the best-value travel health decisions you can make — one injection, lifetime cover across all tropical destinations.

For any questions about your visa or entry documents, WhatsApp Kassim at +255 786 110 786. Safaris Tanzania has coordinated airport arrivals for over 4,000 clients — if something goes wrong with your entry documents, Kassim knows who to contact and how to resolve it quickly.