Tanzania requires a visa for most foreign nationals, and understanding the application options before your safari departure avoids delays and complications at Kilimanjaro International Airport or the Namanga road border from Kenya. Tanzania’s visa system has been transitioning toward an electronic visa (e-Visa) system and phasing out visa on arrival at some entry points. This guide covers the current state of Tanzania visa requirements, how to apply for the e-Visa online, what documents you need, typical processing times, and what to do if your visa application is delayed or rejected.
Tanzania Visa: Who Needs One?
Nationals of the following country groups:
- Visa required: Most Western European, North American (USA, Canada), Australian, New Zealand, Israeli, and Asian nationals (including Japan, South Korea, China) require a visa
- Visa on arrival or e-Visa eligible: Most nationalities including the above can apply for a Tanzania e-Visa online or obtain a visa on arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), Dar es Salaam Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR), and Zanzibar International Airport
- Visa exemption (no visa needed): Citizens of EAC partner states (Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan — note these are East African Community members), and a small number of Commonwealth and bilateral agreement countries. Check Tanzania Immigration’s official list (immigration.go.tz) for your specific nationality.
Tanzania e-Visa: The Recommended Option
The Tanzania Immigration Department operates an online e-Visa platform at eservices.immigration.go.tz. This is the recommended application route for all safari visitors as it eliminates on-arrival queue time (which at Kilimanjaro during busy morning arrivals can exceed 90 minutes), provides documentation in advance for airline check-in, and allows time to resolve any application issues before departure.
e-Visa Cost
Single entry tourist visa: USD $50. Multiple entry tourist visa: USD $100 (valid 12 months). For a standard safari visitor making one entry into Tanzania, the USD $50 single entry visa is sufficient. If your itinerary includes crossing from Tanzania into Kenya (Namanga crossing) and returning to Tanzania (for example, Arusha → Masai Mara → Arusha), you need a multiple entry visa.
Required Documents for the e-Visa
- Passport biodata page scan (passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended departure date from Tanzania)
- Digital passport photo: white background, face forward, taken within the last 6 months, minimum 400×400 pixel resolution
- Yellow fever vaccination certificate (required for travellers arriving from or having transited through yellow fever endemic countries)
- Proof of accommodation booking (hotel confirmation or safari camp booking confirmation — any official booking email is sufficient)
- Return flight booking (some applications require this; others do not — have it available)
- Payment by international credit or debit card (Visa or Mastercard)
Processing Time
Standard processing: 5-10 working days. Expedited processing (if offered): 2-3 working days at additional cost. In practice, many applications are approved within 3-5 working days during normal periods. Apply at least 3 weeks before departure to allow for processing time and to manage any follow-up requests for additional documents. During high season (July-August, December-January), processing times may extend slightly due to volume.
Visa on Arrival: Still Available but Less Reliable
Visa on arrival remains available at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR), and the Namanga land border crossing. Cost: USD $50, cash only at most border crossings (USD cash preferred; KES or other currencies may be accepted at land borders). Processing at KBO arrival: typically 30-90 minutes depending on queue size. The visa on arrival is acceptable as a backup but the trend from Tanzania Immigration is toward requiring advance e-Visa application. Some nationalities may find visa on arrival refused or unavailable at specific entry points. Do not plan a trip around visa on arrival without having the e-Visa as a backup plan.
Tanzania for East Africa Tourist Visa Holders
The East Africa Tourist Visa (covering Uganda, Rwanda, and Kenya) does NOT include Tanzania. Even if you have a valid EATV stamp in your passport, you need a separate Tanzania visa to enter Tanzania. This catches a significant number of visitors who assume the EATV covers all of East Africa. Apply for your Tanzania e-Visa before departing for the region — ideally at the same time as or shortly after booking your Tanzania park fees and accommodation.
Kilimanjaro International Airport: Practical Arrival Information
Kilimanjaro International Airport (IATA: JRO) is Tanzania’s primary safari entry point, situated between Arusha (46 km west) and Moshi (38 km east). It receives direct flights from Nairobi (45 minutes, Kenya Airways, RwandAir), Amsterdam (KLM, 9.5 hours), London Heathrow (British Airways via Nairobi or direct charter), Addis Ababa (Ethiopian Airlines, 3 hours), and Doha (Qatar Airways, 7 hours). On arrival: clear immigration (e-Visa holders present the printed approval and their passport at the visa/immigration counter — not the visa on arrival counter which has longer queues). Collect baggage. Proceed to customs (standard declaration required). Car rental desks are in the arrivals hall — all major operators including Avis, Budget, and several local companies have representatives.
Currency exchange: CRDB and NMB bank desks in arrivals exchange USD, EUR, and GBP to Tanzanian shillings. ATMs in the arrivals hall dispense TZS. However, most safari activities (park fees, accommodation deposits, gorilla permits if applicable) are payable in USD at parks and lodges — bring USD cash in addition to your card. Preferably in small denominations (USD $20 and $50 bills) as change for USD $100 bills is difficult in rural areas.
