Key takeaways
- Apply only at visa.immigration.go.tz — third-party sites add fees and risk data theft.
- Standard fee: 50 USD (100 USD for US citizens); rush processing +20 USD for 3-day turnaround.
- Processing: ~10 working days standard — apply at least 3 weeks before travel.
- Visa on Arrival exists but brings cash-only payment, long queues, and no Business visa option.
- Extend before expiry at regional immigration offices — 50 USD, max one 90-day extension.
As of November 2026, all applications for a tanzania immigration visa must be submitted online through the official e-Visa portal (visa.immigration.go.tz). The standard Ordinary Visa costs 50 USD for most nationalities, while US citizens pay 100 USD due to reciprocal pricing, and processing generally takes up to 10 working days.
Quick answer: Apply only at visa.immigration.go.tz. Standard fee is 50 USD (100 USD for US passports), processing takes ~10 working days, and you can extend once for another 90 days at a regional immigration office.
Tanzania Immigration Visa Overview and 2026 Fee Structure
The Tanzania Immigration Services Department updated its fee schedule effective November 2026. All fees below are quoted in US dollars and payable online via the official portal. Always verify current rates on the government site before payment — fees can change without notice, and third-party agents often add hidden markups.
| Visa Type | Fee (USD) | Validity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ordinary Visa (single entry) | 50 | Up to 90 days | Standard fee for most nationalities |
| Ordinary Visa — US Citizens | 100 | Up to 90 days | Reciprocal pricing per US–Tanzania agreement |
| Multiple Entry Visa | 100 | Up to 1 year | Max 90 days per stay |
| Business Visa | 250 | Up to 90 days | Requires invitation letter from Tanzanian company |
| Transit Visa | 30 | 7 days max | Proof of onward travel required |
| Rush Processing Surcharge | +20 | 3 working days | Optional; standard processing is ~10 working days |
| Referral Visa | Varies | Case-specific | Requires Commissioner-General clearance; apply 2+ months ahead |
Source: Tanzania Immigration Services Department fee schedule, verified November 2026. Fees are official government charges; third-party sites may charge more.
The 50 USD standard fee applies to passport holders from the UK, EU, Canada, Australia, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and most African nations. US passport holders pay 100 USD for the same Ordinary Visa due to a long-standing reciprocity arrangement — the US charges Tanzanian citizens 160 USD for a B1/B2 visa, so Tanzania mirrors that principle. If you hold dual nationality, use the passport that gives the lower fee, but you must enter and exit on the same document.
How do I submit a tanzania immigration visa application?
The only legitimate route is the official Tanzania e-Visa portal. I've seen applicants lose money to lookalike sites ending in .com or .org — the real portal is a .go.tz subdomain. Here's the step-by-step I walk clients through:
- Create an account with a valid email. You'll receive a verification link — check spam folder.
- Select visa type: Ordinary, Multiple Entry, Business, Transit, or Referral.
- Upload required documents (each file <500 KB, JPEG/PDF):
- Passport bio-data page (valid ≥6 months from arrival, ≥1 blank page)
- Passport-size photo (white background, 35×45 mm, no glasses)
- Return/onward flight itinerary
- Hotel booking or host invitation letter with host's ID copy
- Yellow fever vaccination certificate (if arriving from endemic zone)
- Pay online via Visa/Mastercard. The portal redirects to a government payment gateway — URL should show
pay.immigration.go.tzor similar. - Download the acknowledgment receipt with your application reference number (format: TZV-XXXXXX). Save this — you'll need it for status checks.
Common rejection reasons I've encountered: passport expiring within 6 months, photo not meeting specs (selfies get rejected), missing yellow fever cert for Kenya/Uganda arrivals, and mismatched names between passport and flight ticket. Double-check every field before submit — corrections after payment require a new application.
How do I access the official tanzania immigration visa portal?
Two URLs matter:
- E-Visa application & tracking: visa.immigration.go.tz
- Department info, forms, contacts: immigration.go.tz
Bookmark both. Any site asking for payment via WhatsApp, Western Union, or crypto is a scam. The official portal only accepts card payments through the government gateway. If you're applying for a group, each traveler needs a separate account — but you can pay multiple applications in one checkout session.
Registration tip: use an email you'll still access in 3 months. The approval notification and e-Visa PDF arrive there. I've had clients lose access to corporate emails after changing jobs and miss their visa grant notice.
Where can I check my tanzania immigration visa status?
Log into visa.immigration.go.tz, click "Track Application," and enter your reference number (TZV-XXXXXX) plus the email used at registration. Status stages:
- Submitted — payment confirmed, docs received
- Under Review — immigration officer assessing (typically days 2–7)
- Approved — e-Visa PDF available for download
- Rejected — reason shown; no refund, must reapply
Standard processing: up to 10 working days. Rush (extra 20 USD): 3 working days. Weekends and Tanzanian public holidays (e.g., Union Day 26 Apr, Nyerere Day 14 Oct) don't count. If status stalls at "Under Review" beyond 10 days, email info@immigration.go.tz with your reference number — don't call the helpline first; email creates a ticket trail.
Is tanzania immigration visa on arrival still available?
Yes, but with caveats. Visa on Arrival (VoA) operates at:
- Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR), Dar es Salaam
- Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), Arusha
- Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ), Zanzibar
- Namanga and Sirari land borders (Kenya/Tanzania)
VoA fee: 50 USD (100 USD for US citizens), payable in cash USD (notes printed 2013 or later, no tears). No card terminals at immigration desks. Queues at DAR can hit 90–120 minutes at peak (July–Aug, Dec–Jan). I always advise clients to get the e-Visa — you walk straight to the e-Visa lane, scan the QR code, and clear in 5 minutes.
VoA restrictions: not available for Referral Visa nationals (e.g., Afghanistan, Somalia, Yemen, and others on the Commissioner-General's list). Business visa applicants must apply online — VoA only issues Ordinary single-entry. If you arrive without USD cash, you'll be sent to an airport ATM (poor rates, fees) or denied entry.
What is the process for a tanzania immigration visa extension?
You can extend an Ordinary Visa once for up to 90 additional days (max 180 days total stay). Apply at least 7 days before expiry at:
- Tanzania Mainland: Regional Immigration Office — Dar es Salaam (Kilimanjaro St), Arusha, Mwanza, Mbeya, etc.
- Zanzibar: Zanzibar Immigration Office, Malindi, Stone Town
Required docs for extension:
- Passport with current visa stamp
- Completed Extension Form (Form IMM.22, downloadable from immigration.go.tz)
- Two passport photos
- Proof of sufficient funds (bank statement or cash ~50 USD/day)
- Return ticket or onward itinerary
- Extension fee: 50 USD (payable in TZS at prevailing bank rate)
Overstaying incurs a fine of 100 USD per day plus possible deportation. I've seen travelers caught at the airport on departure — don't risk it. If you need longer than 180 days, apply for a Residence Permit Class C (business/investment) or Class D (employment) through your employer/sponsor — that's a separate process handled by the Labour Commissioner, not Immigration.
What is the official tanzania immigration visa contact number?
Official channels (verified November 2026):
- Head Office (Dar es Salaam): +255 22 211 3693 / +255 22 211 3694
- E-Visa Support Email: evisa@immigration.go.tz (fastest for portal issues)
- General Enquiries: info@immigration.go.tz
- Commissioner-General's Office (Referral Visas): +255 22 211 3695, cg@immigration.go.tz
- Zanzibar Immigration: +255 24 223 3040
For US applicants, the Embassy of the United Republic of Tanzania in Washington, DC handles consular queries: +1 202 939 6125, consular@tzembassy.us. They do not process e-Visas — all applications go through the portal. The embassy only assists with lost passports, emergency travel documents, and Referral Visa pre-clearance letters.
Scam alert: Fraudsters post fake "immigration helpline" numbers on Google Maps and Facebook. Only trust numbers on immigration.go.tz or the embassy's official .go.tz/.gov site. Never share your passport copy or reference number over WhatsApp.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the passport validity requirement for Tanzania?
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your date of arrival and have at least one blank visa page. This is non-negotiable — airlines will deny boarding if your passport expires within 6 months, and immigration will refuse entry on arrival.
Can I enter both Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar on one visa?
Yes. A Tanzania e-Visa (Ordinary, Multiple Entry, or Business) covers both Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar. There is no separate Zanzibar visa. You'll clear immigration at your first port of entry (e.g., DAR or ZNZ) and move freely between the two.
How does the Multiple Entry Visa work?
The 100 USD Multiple Entry Visa is valid for 12 months from issue date. Each stay is capped at 90 days. You can exit and re-enter as many times as you want within the year, but the 90-day clock resets only on re-entry — you cannot "reset" by crossing to Kenya for a day. Overstay any single entry beyond 90 days and you'll face fines.
What's the difference between Business and Ordinary Visa?
Business Visa (250 USD) allows business meetings, conferences, contract negotiations, and exploratory visits. It does not permit employment — for that you need a Work Permit (Class C/D) arranged by your Tanzanian employer. Ordinary Visa (50 USD) is for tourism, family visits, and short-term volunteer work (unpaid, <30 days). If you're paid, you need a permit.
Do I need a yellow fever certificate?
Only if you're arriving from (or transiting >12 hours in) a WHO-listed yellow fever endemic country: Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, DRC, Ethiopia, and others. If you fly direct from Europe, US, Gulf, or India — no cert needed. But if your routing is London → Nairobi (4 hr layover) → Dar, you do need it. Carry the original International Certificate of Vaccination (yellow card).
Can I apply for someone else?
Each applicant needs their own account on the portal. You can fill the form and pay for family members, but each gets a separate reference number and e-Visa. Don't share login credentials — the system locks on concurrent sessions.
What if my e-Visa is approved but I don't travel?
The visa validity period starts from the date of issue, not date of travel. An Ordinary Visa is valid for entry within 90 days of issue. If you don't enter within that window, it expires — no refund, no extension. Plan your application timing: apply 2–4 weeks before departure.
Key Takeaways
- Apply only at visa.immigration.go.tz — third-party sites add fees and risk data theft.
- Standard fee: 50 USD (100 USD for US citizens); rush processing +20 USD for 3-day turnaround.
- Processing: ~10 working days standard — apply at least 3 weeks before travel.
- Visa on Arrival exists but brings cash-only payment, long queues, and no Business visa option.
- Extend before expiry at regional immigration offices — 50 USD, max one 90-day extension.
- Verify everything on immigration.go.tz — rules and fees change; this guide reflects November 2026 status.
Last verified: 4 November 2026 against Tanzania Immigration Services Department official sources. Wages, fees, and visa rules change — always confirm with the official portal or nearest Tanzanian embassy before travel.
Frequently asked questions
What is the passport validity requirement for Tanzania?
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your date of arrival and have at least one blank visa page.
Can I enter both Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar on one visa?
Yes. A Tanzania e-Visa covers both Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar; there is no separate Zanzibar visa.
How does the Multiple Entry Visa work?
The 100 USD Multiple Entry Visa is valid for 12 months from issue date. Each stay is capped at 90 days. You can exit and re-enter multiple times within the year.
What's the difference between Business and Ordinary Visa?
Business Visa (250 USD) allows business meetings and conferences but not employment. Ordinary Visa (50 USD) is for tourism, family visits, and unpaid volunteer work under 30 days.
Do I need a yellow fever certificate?
Only if arriving from or transiting >12 hours in a WHO-listed yellow fever endemic country (e.g., Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda). Direct flights from Europe, US, Gulf, or India do not require it.
Can I apply for someone else?
Each applicant needs their own portal account. You can fill forms and pay for family, but each gets a separate reference number and e-Visa.
What if my e-Visa is approved but I don't travel?
The visa validity starts from the date of issue, not travel. An Ordinary Visa is valid for entry within 90 days of issue; after that it expires with no refund.
Photos: Ali Damji / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; Chen Hualin / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0