Tanzania is a popular tourist destination owing to its endless plains of natural beauty, exotic wildlife, beautiful islands and pristine beaches!
If you’re not a national of Tanzania and you want to visit the country, you’ll have to apply for a visa first!
Lucky for you, e-Visas (electronic Visas) are now available for Tanzania. You can apply online and get your visa!
Keep reading for more details on the types of visas and how to obtain them.
Types of Visas
Tanzania offers many different types of visas according to your purpose of stay. These are listed below:
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Single Entry Visa
This is the type of visa you need to obtain if you’re going for tourism, health treatment, and leisure purposes. You can stay for a maximum of 90 days under this visa.
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Business Visa
It’s for those who need to come to Tanzania on business trips. This visa also lasts for a maximum of 90 days and cannot be extended unless you get special permission from the Commissioner General of Immigration in Tanzania.
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Transit Visa
It’s for those individuals that wish to travel to another country and can only stay in Tanzania for a maximum of 7 days in the transit period.
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Gratis Visa
This visa is applicable for diplomatic officials or any other officials of any International Organization that need to visit Tanzania as part of their official duty.
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Student Visa
This visa is for those individuals who wish to study in Tanzania.
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Multiple Entry Visa
This visa is valid for spouses of those who live in Tanzania, government consultants, private consultants, and foreign directors of companies in Tanzania.

Visa Tanzania,
Image Source: Tranquiljourneys.Tours
Eligibility of Countries for Visas
Citizens of certain countries do not require a visa to enter Tanzania. Their immigration formalities will be done at the entry point of Tanzania upon their arrival!
For a list of these countries, click here.
Note: If you’re an American citizen, you’ll need to apply for the multiple entry visa for tourism, health and other purposes too.
Referral Visa Cases
On the other hand, the citizens of a few countries require special permission before they can obtain a visa. For a list of these countries, click here. To apply for your referral visa cases, you can take two routes:
1. Have your host submit a letter stating the duration and reason of the stay in Tanzania.
This letter is to be submitted to the Commissioner General of Immigration in Tanzania mainland or to the Commissioner of Zanzibar (in case the individual wishes to travel to Zanzibar) – this method is quicker because the application is processed in 5 working days!
2. Apply for your visa directly online and attach:
- Passport size photo
- Copy of valid passport
- Cover letter stating reason and duration of stay from Company/Institution/Host
- 50 USD Fee
An important point to note is that individuals from these countries must apply for their visas at least 2 months in advance because that’s how long it takes to process referral visa cases!
Requirements for Online Visa Application for the Remaining Countries
If your country isn’t in any of the lists mentioned above, you’ll need to go through this section.
Start your online visa application here.
Requirements of Single-Entry Visa:
- Copy of valid passport
- Return Ticket (optional)
- Declaration Form
- 50 USD fee
Requirements of Business Visa:
- Copy of valid passport
- Return Ticket (mandatory)
- 250 USD fee
- Work contract/details of work to be done – work shouldn’t exceed 3 months

Tanzania Passport,
Image Source: Answersafrica.Com
It takes 10 days for your application to get processed! You’ll receive your approval after that. You need to wait for approval before you can travel to Tanzania.
Extension of Visa
Unfortunately, you cannot ask for an extension of your Tanzanian visa online. If you want to extend your visa, you’ll need first visit Tanzania and then go to the Tanzania Immigration Head Office in Uhamiaji House. You need to go in person and then fill out the application form!
You can extend your stay for a maximum of 3 months.
More Questions?
For more questions, you should contact the Commissioner General of Immigration Services.
Tel. +255 2850575, 2850576, 2850569
Email: visatanzania@immigration.go.tz
Website: www.immigration.go.tz