Entering Tanzania is straightforward if you prepare a few things before you fly: a visa, a valid passport, the new mandatory travel insurance and, for some travellers, a yellow fever certificate. This guide explains each step as it applies to most travellers in 2027. Rules can change, so always check the official websites listed below shortly before you travel.
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Your nationality and travel history decide what applies to you. The official sources are the Tanzania Immigration Department and your nearest Tanzanian embassy.
Do I need a visa?
Most visitors to Tanzania need a visa, including citizens of the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and the European Union. Citizens of a number of African countries, including Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and several Southern African Development Community (SADC) members, can visit without a visa for a limited period. If you are unsure, check the Immigration Department's list before you book flights.
Applying for the e-visa
The easiest way to get a visa is the official online system at visa.immigration.go.tz. Be careful with look-alike websites that charge extra fees: the official site ends in .go.tz.
- Apply at least 4 to 6 weeks before travel. Processing often takes 5 to 10 working days but can take longer.
- You need a scan of your passport photo page, a passport-style photo, your return or onward flight details and your first night's address (we send you our hotel details).
- Pay the fee online by card.
- You receive an approval letter by email. Print it and carry it with your passport.
How much does a Tanzania visa cost?
| Visa | Who | Typical fee |
|---|---|---|
| Ordinary (tourist) visa, single entry | Most nationalities | $50 |
| Multiple-entry visa | US citizens (valid 12 months) | $100 |
| Multiple-entry visa | Other nationalities, on request | $100 |
A tourist visa normally allows a stay of up to 90 days. Fees are set by the government and can change.
Can I get a visa on arrival?
Visas on arrival have been available at the main airports, including Kilimanjaro, Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar, and at some land borders. However, queues can be long and rules may change, so we strongly recommend applying for the e-visa before you travel. Arriving with an approved visa means you are through immigration quickly and our team is waiting for you.
Passport
- Valid for at least six months after the date you leave Tanzania
- At least two blank pages for stamps
- Children need their own passports
Mandatory travel insurance
Since 1 October 2026, every foreign visitor to mainland Tanzania must buy the government's inbound travel insurance, which costs about $44 per person and covers a stay of up to 92 days. Citizens of East African Community and SADC countries are exempt. Zanzibar has had its own mandatory insurance, also about $44, since October 2024, so if you visit both you may need both policies. This government cover is basic; we strongly recommend your own travel insurance with medical evacuation as well. Our article on Tanzania's mandatory travel insurance explains how to buy it and what it covers.
Yellow fever
You need a yellow fever vaccination certificate if you arrive from a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission, or after a transit of more than 12 hours at an airport in such a country. This includes Kenya and several other African countries. If you fly directly from Europe, North America or Asia with no long transit, the certificate is usually not required for Tanzania. Zanzibar applies the same rule. Check your route with your travel clinic, and carry the yellow card with your passport.
Other health requirements
No other vaccinations are required for entry, but your doctor may recommend some, along with malaria prevention for northern Tanzania and Zanzibar. Our vaccines and health guide covers this in detail.
Arriving in Tanzania
- Have your passport, printed visa approval, insurance certificate, return ticket and first hotel address ready.
- You may be asked to give fingerprints and a photo at immigration.
- Do not bring single-use plastic bags; they are banned and may be taken from you.
- Declare large amounts of cash as required on the customs form.
- Our team meets you after customs with your name on a sign.
Combining Tanzania with Kenya or other countries
The East Africa Tourist Visa covers Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda, but not Tanzania, so you need a separate Tanzania visa. If you leave Tanzania and come back, for example after a few days in Kenya, a single-entry visa may not be enough; ask about a multiple-entry visa. Kenya has its own electronic travel authorisation system, which you arrange separately.
Working, volunteering or long stays
A tourist visa does not allow you to work or volunteer. If you plan to volunteer, study or stay longer than 90 days, apply for the correct permit through the Immigration Department.
Official sources
- Tanzania Immigration Department e-visa: visa.immigration.go.tz
- Your nearest Tanzanian embassy or high commission
- Your own government's travel advice for Tanzania
Common mistakes to avoid
- Using an unofficial visa website that charges a high service fee. Always use visa.immigration.go.tz.
- Applying too late. Leave at least a month, especially in the busy season from July to October.
- Uploading a blurry passport scan or a photo that does not meet the requirements, which delays approval.
- Forgetting the passport validity rule: six months beyond your departure date from Tanzania.
- Assuming the mainland insurance covers Zanzibar. They are separate policies.
- Forgetting a yellow fever certificate after a long transit in Nairobi or Addis Ababa.
Children and minors
Every child needs their own passport and visa. If a child travels with only one parent, or with grandparents or other adults, carry a letter of consent from the absent parent or parents, with a copy of their passport, and the child's birth certificate. Immigration officers do not always ask for it, but it is good practice and avoids problems.
Customs and money
You can bring personal items, cameras and a reasonable amount of alcohol and tobacco without duty. Drones need a permit from the Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority and are not allowed in national parks without special authorisation. US dollars are widely used for tourism, but notes printed before 2009 are often refused, so bring newer, clean notes. ATMs are available in Arusha and Zanzibar.
We help you prepare
When you book a safari with us, we send you a personal checklist with links to the official visa and insurance sites, our hotel address for your forms and a reminder two weeks before you fly. Read our Tanzania safety guide too, then choose a trip such as the 7-day safari or the 10-day safari and Zanzibar, or ask us any question about your route.
Frequently asked questions
01How much is a Tanzania visa in 2027?
Most nationalities pay $50 for a single-entry tourist visa. US citizens receive a multiple-entry visa for $100. Fees can change, so check the official e-visa site before you apply.
02Can I get a visa on arrival in Tanzania?
Visas on arrival have been available at the main airports, but queues can be long. We recommend the official e-visa at visa.immigration.go.tz before you fly.
03Do I need travel insurance to enter Tanzania?
Yes. Since 1 October 2026 foreign visitors to mainland Tanzania must buy the government's $44 inbound travel insurance, and Zanzibar has its own $44 policy.
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