Tanzania visa guide 2026: latest policy and application process

How to get a visa for Tanzania in 2026? Tanzania currently allows tourist entry via eVisa and other methods; eligible travelers may also apply for a visa on arrival at ports of entry. Based on Tanzania's official entry rules and 13 years of African safari service experience, Free Wilderness compiles the eVisa process, visa on arrival procedure, fees, required documents and yellow fever vaccination questions, for travelers planning Tanzania safari, Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Zanzibar.

1. Tanzania eVisa or visa on arrival — which to choose?

For ordinary travelers, choose based on how far away your departure is:

• If your itinerary is set early (at least 3 weeks ahead), apply for the eVisa so you don't waste time at the airport after landing.
• If departure is near, just use the visa on arrival.

2. Documents needed for the Tanzania eVisa

Before starting the eVisa, prepare these electronic documents:

1. Color photo with white background (JPEG or PNG, under 300KB)
2. Passport bio page image (JPEG or PNG, under 300KB)
3. Round-trip flight ticket (PDF, under 1MB)
4. A Visa or Master card that can pay in USD (⚠️ UnionPay is not recommended due to payment failure/no-response risk)

3. How to apply for the 2026 Tanzania eVisa

Step 1: Visit the Tanzania eVisa website

Download Google Chrome if needed. Go to the official Tanzania eVisa site: https://visa.immigration.go.tz/. Under [New Application], click [APPLY FOR A NEW VISA] to start a new application.

Step 2: Register an account

Fill in [Email], [Passport number] and [Passport issuing country]. Choose a security question and answer — remember them, as they are used for follow-up. After clicking [Start New Application], an application ID is generated. Click [Copy] to save your ID. Your email will also receive the ID (sometimes not, which is normal).

Step 3: Fill in personal information

Fill in personal information as prompted; items marked * are required.

Step 4: Fill in contact and occupation information

Fill in contact and occupation information as prompted; items marked * are required.

Step 5: Fill in passport information

Fill in passport information as prompted; items marked * are required.

Step 6: Fill in travel information

Fill in travel information as prompted; items marked * are required.

Step 7: Fill in traveling companion information

Fill in traveling companion information as prompted; items marked * are required.

Step 8: Upload electronic documents

Upload the electronic documents you prepared earlier.

Step 9: Review and declare

Carefully review the information, and tick the declaration before proceeding.

Step 10: Payment

Prepare a Visa or Master card for payment and save the payment receipt as proof. After payment, just wait for the visa. Processing usually takes 2-3 weeks; we recommend starting at least one month in advance. Contact your travel consultant with any issues.

4. How to get the Tanzania visa on arrival

Tanzania's visa on arrival applies to visitors from most countries, including China, the US, UK, Canada and Australia.

Procedure

1. Apply at: Kilimanjaro International Airport, Zanzibar International Airport, Julius Nyerere International Airport, Namanga, Horohoro and Musoma border posts.
2. Follow signs to the visa-on-arrival window.
3. Collect and fill in the visa application form.
4. Submit documents and pay, including passport, photo, return ticket and visa fee. Note: international airports usually accept credit cards; land borders require cash (ordinary visa USD 50.75; US residents USD 101.5).
5. Wait for visa approval.
6. Collect your passport and enter.

5. Do I need the "yellow book" for Tanzania?

The "yellow book" is the International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis. Travelers entering Tanzania from epidemic areas (e.g. Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda) must present it. Direct flights from China do not require it.

Is the yellow fever vaccine necessary?

It depends on personal needs. Yellow fever is a serious mosquito-borne disease endemic in some African and South American countries, and vaccination effectively prevents infection. Tanzania does not require all visitors to be vaccinated, but if you come from or pass through yellow fever endemic countries, you may be asked to show proof at entry.

If vaccinating, do so at least 14 days before departure so immunity develops and the certificate is valid. One dose is valid for 10 years.