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Lemala Safaris: honey badger crossing golden hills
Two lions resting on a dirt track with a safari vehicle in the distance

Before you fly

Tanzania visa guide: do you need a visa?

Most visitors to Tanzania need a visa. Here is how it works in plain terms, the official site to apply on, the mistakes to avoid and a quick passport check. We do not state fees or processing times, because the rules change, so we point you to the official source.

Official site
Always apply on the government site
6 months
Passport validity we advise from arrival
Per traveller
Every visa application is personal
Rules change
So confirm before you book and before you fly

The short answer

Most visitors to Tanzania need a visa. Depending on your nationality, this is typically an e-visa applied for online before you leave, or a visa issued on arrival. Some nationalities have different arrangements, so the right route depends on your passport. Please do not rely on a friend's experience, because the rules differ from country to country.

Visa rules, fees and processing times can change at short notice, so we do not state them here. The only reliable source is the official Tanzanian immigration service, or the embassy or consulate for your country. Visa applications are personal to each traveller, so Lemala Safaris cannot apply on your behalf, but we are glad to answer questions about your itinerary.

The official sites to use

Apply only through the Tanzanian government. Many other websites present themselves as Tanzania visa services but are not the government, and they may charge extra or handle your details carelessly.

How to get your visa, step by step

  1. 01

    Check your passport first

    It should usually be valid for at least six months from the day you arrive and have blank pages for stamps. Renewing a passport can take weeks, so check this before anything else.

  2. 02

    Find the route for your nationality

    On the official site, see whether you need an e-visa, can get a visa on arrival, or have a different arrangement.

  3. 03

    Apply on the official site only

    Fill in the form with your details exactly as they appear in your passport, and keep the confirmation.

  4. 04

    Keep the approval safe

    Print it and keep a copy on your phone. Travel should not begin before you have the approval your route requires.

  5. 05

    Carry printed copies

    Bring your printed visa, your itinerary and your flight details. Keep photos of your passport and visa on your phone and with someone at home.

  6. 06

    Check again before you leave

    Rules can change between booking and departure, so confirm the requirements again a little before you fly.

Check your passport and dates

Enter the day you arrive and the date your passport expires. The tool tells you whether you have the six months of validity we advise. Nothing you enter is saved.

Choose both dates to see the result. Nothing you enter is saved or sent.

This follows our general guidance of six months of validity. Always confirm the rule for your nationality on the official immigration site.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Using a lookalike website

    Only the government site is official. Third-party sites can add fees, and you should not enter passport details on a site you do not trust.

  • Leaving it too late

    Airlines may refuse boarding if your documents do not meet the entry rules, which is a disappointing way to begin a trip. Apply well before you fly.

  • Relying on someone else's experience

    A friend's visa route may not be yours. Rules differ by nationality, so check your own.

  • Details that do not match your passport

    Names, dates and passport numbers should match your passport exactly, or you risk delays at the border.

  • Forgetting printed copies

    Carry your approval, itinerary and flight details on paper as well as on your phone.

  • Assuming one rule for everyone in your group

    Each traveller applies separately, and different passports can mean different routes.

What Lemala Safaris can and cannot do

We cannot apply for your visa, and we do not quote fees or processing times, because they change and depend on your passport. What we can do is plan your itinerary around your dates and answer questions about where you will stay and travel, so your application matches your trip.

Other entry points to check

  • Health requirements

    Some travellers may need a yellow fever certificate depending on where they have travelled from. Check the current rules with official health sources, and see a doctor or travel clinic six to eight weeks before you go.

  • Travel insurance

    It should cover medical care, evacuation and cancellation. If you plan to climb Kilimanjaro, it must explicitly cover trekking to 6,000 m.

  • Zanzibar

    Zanzibar is part of Tanzania. Check on the official site that your visa covers both the mainland and the islands for the trip you plan.

Questions answered

What travellers ask us

Most visitors do. Depending on your nationality, you typically apply for an e-visa online before you travel, or get a visa on arrival. Some nationalities have different arrangements, so check the official immigration site for your passport.

On the official Tanzanian government site: visa.immigration.go.tz for the e-visa portal, or the main immigration site at immigration.go.tz. Be careful with other websites that offer to apply for you, because they are not the government.

Fees depend on your nationality and the type of visa, and they change, so we do not state them. The official site shows the current fee for your passport.

Processing times can change, so we do not quote one. Apply well before you travel, and check the official site for current guidance.

No. Visa applications are personal to each traveller, so we cannot apply on your behalf. We are glad to answer questions about your itinerary so your application matches your trip.

We advise at least six months from the day you arrive, with blank pages for stamps. Check the rule for your nationality on the official site.

Zanzibar is part of Tanzania. Check on the official site that your visa covers both the mainland and the islands for your trip.

Every traveller applies on their own passport, including children. Check the official site for the rules that apply to your child's nationality.

Only the Tanzanian government's own site is official. Other sites present themselves as visa services but are not the government, so we recommend applying only on the official site.

Check the notices on the official immigration site and contact the Tanzanian embassy or consulate for your country. Do not turn to an unofficial site to get around it.

Keep planning

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