Most visitors need a Tanzania visa, and the easiest way to get one is the official online e-visa. The process is simple if you start early and use the government website rather than an agent. Here is how it works in 2026, from the team that meets our guests at the airport every week. Rules can change, so always confirm the details on the official portal before you travel.
Do you need a Tanzania visa?
Citizens of most countries in Europe, North America and Asia need a visa to visit Tanzania for tourism. Citizens of several African countries, including Kenya and Uganda, can enter without one. Note that the East Africa Tourist Visa covers Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda, but not Tanzania, so if you combine countries you still need a Tanzanian visa.
How to apply for the e-visa
Apply on the official Tanzania Immigration e-visa portal. You fill in the form, upload a passport scan and a photo, add your return flight and first night's address, and pay by card. When the visa is approved, you receive it by email and print it or keep it on your phone.
- Single-entry tourist visa: US$50 for most nationalities, valid for up to 90 days.
- US citizens: a multiple-entry visa of US$100, valid for one year.
- Processing: often a few days, but allow at least two weeks before you fly.
Be careful with websites that look official but charge extra fees. The government site ends in .go.tz. If you book with us, we send the address and booking details you need for the form.
Visa on arrival
A visa on arrival is still available at the main airports, including Kilimanjaro International (JRO), for many nationalities. However, queues can be long after a night flight and you need US dollars in cash, so we recommend applying online before you leave.
Passport and health requirements
- Your passport must be valid for at least six months after you arrive, with blank pages for stamps.
- A yellow fever certificate is required if you arrive from, or have spent a long transit in, a country with a risk of yellow fever, which includes Kenya.
- Carry proof of your return flight and accommodation; we provide a letter for every guest.
For vaccinations, malaria and travel insurance, read our Tanzania travel tips, and check health advice with a travel clinic at least six weeks before departure.
If you combine Kenya and Tanzania
Many travellers wonder whether to see the Serengeti or the Masai Mara. If you visit both, you need a visa for each country, and the yellow fever rule applies when you cross from Kenya into Tanzania. Allow for this when you plan flights.
Zanzibar entry rules
Zanzibar is part of Tanzania, so the same visa applies. However, since 2024 Zanzibar requires visitors to buy its own inbound travel insurance before arrival, in addition to your normal travel insurance. It is bought online and costs a small fixed amount. Our Zanzibar beach guide explains how the island fits after a safari, and the Zanzibar holidays page shows trips.
Before you fly: a short checklist
- e-visa approved and printed or saved
- Passport valid for six months, with blank pages
- Yellow fever certificate if needed
- Travel insurance, plus Zanzibar insurance if you visit the island
- US dollars in small notes printed after 2009 for tips and fees
With the paperwork done, the fun part begins. Read about the cost of a Tanzania safari and the safari packing list, then browse our safari tours or plan your trip in the trip planner.
