Visa & Entry Requirements for Tanzania

Visa & Entry Requirements

Getting into Tanzania is a straightforward process, but having your documents ready in advance will save you time at the airport after a long flight. Most visitors to Tanzania require a visa. To ensure a smooth entry, we recommend preparing this in advance.Passport: Must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your entry date. E-Visa (Recommended): You can apply for a Tanzania E-Visa online through the official immigration website . This saves time at the airport. Visa on Arrival: It is also possible to obtain a visa upon arrival at JRO Airport. You will need to pay in USD cash (bills must be dated after 2013). The process is generally smooth but can take longer during peak season.

Passport Requirements

Before you book your flight, please check your passport.

  • Validity: Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date you intend to enter Tanzania.
  • Blank Pages: You must have at least one clear blank page for the immigration stamp.

Tourist Visa: E-Visa vs. On-Arrival

Most international travellers require a visa to enter Tanzania. You have two options:Option A: The E-Visa (Highly Recommended) We strongly advise obtaining your visa online before you travel. It allows you to skip the long “Visa on Arrival” queues at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO).
  • Where to Apply: Official Tanzania Immigration Website: eservices.immigration.go.tz
  • Processing Time: typically 10 business days (apply at least 3 weeks in advance to be safe).
  • Cost:
    • US Citizens: $100 USD (Multiple Entry Visa is mandatory for US citizens).
    • Non-US Citizens: $50 USD (Single Entry Visa).
Option B: Visa on Arrival If you run out of time to get an E-Visa, you can obtain one upon landing at JRO Airport.
  • Process: You will fill out a form, queue for payment, and then queue for immigration.
Payment: Cash only (USD). Notes must be in pristine condition and dated after 2013. Credit cards are often not accepted or the systems may be down.

⚠️ Tanzania mainland, Mandatory Travel Insurance

Mandatory Travel Insurance for Mainland Tanzania (Important Update)
The Government of the United Republic of Tanzania has announced the introduction of a mandatory travel insurance policy for foreign nationals entering Mainland Tanzania.

According to official sources, visitors may be required to pay an insurance fee equivalent to USD 44, payable in Tanzanian shillings.
However, the exact start date, payment method, and enforcement details have not yet been officially confirmed.

At the time of writing, we understand that an online payment portal may be introduced in the future. In the interim period, payment on arrival (cash in Tanzanian shillings) may be required.

Please note that this insurance applies to Mainland Tanzania only and is separate from the mandatory Zanzibar travel insurance scheme.

We will update this page as soon as official confirmation and clear implementation details are released.

For reference, you can review the official announcement here:

Tanzania Tourism – Mandatory Travel Insurance

⚠️ Travel Insurance for the Zanzibar Travelers

If you are planning to visit Zanzibar at any point during your trip, please note that the Zanzibar government requires all foreign visitors to purchase a specific Mandatory Inbound Travel Insurance policy.

This requirement has been in effect since October 1, 2024. The policy is issued by the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation and costs USD 44 per visitor.

This insurance is separate from your international travel or climbing insurance and does not replace the comprehensive insurance coverage required for trekking Kilimanjaro.

If your itinerary includes Mainland Tanzania only (Kilimanjaro climb and/or safari), this Zanzibar-specific insurance generally does not apply. However, comprehensive international travel insurance remains mandatory for all trekkers.

You can purchase and review the official Zanzibar inbound travel insurance policy here: Zanzibar Mandatory Inbound Travel Insurance

Yellow Fever Certificate

  • Direct Arrivals: If you are flying directly from Europe, the USA, or other non-endemic countries, a Yellow Fever vaccination is generally not required.
  • Transit Passengers: If you have a transit stop of more than 12 hours in a country with a risk of Yellow Fever (such as Kenya or Ethiopia), you may be asked to show a vaccination certificate upon arrival.