How to Apply for Tanzania e-Visa: Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Applying for a Tanzania e-Visa is a fully online process that takes most travelers under 30 minutes to complete. The official Tanzania Immigration portal accepts applications from nationals of 160+ countries, charges a flat government fee of $50 USD for a single-entry tourist visa, and delivers a decision in 3–10 business days. This guide walks you through every step of the process.

Before You Begin: What You Need

Gather these items before starting your application to avoid interruptions:

• Passport — valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned departure from Tanzania, with at least 2 blank visa pages
• Passport photo — recent (within 6 months), white or off-white background, facing forward, no glasses, JPEG format, at least 300×300 pixels
• Scanned passport data page — clear scan or high-resolution photo of the bio-data page showing your photo, name, passport number, and expiry date
• Return or onward ticket — booking confirmation showing your departure from Tanzania
• Accommodation proof — hotel reservation, safari operator confirmation, or letter of invitation from your host in Tanzania
• Email address — active email for application confirmation and e-Visa delivery
• Credit or debit card — Visa or Mastercard for the $50 USD fee payment

Step 1: Go to the Official Tanzania e-Visa Portal

Navigate to the official Tanzania Immigration e-Services portal:

eservices.immigration.go.tz

> Warning: Numerous unofficial websites claim to offer Tanzania e-Visa applications but charge extra service fees of $20–$100. Always use the official government portal to pay only the $50 government fee. Look for the .go.tz domain to confirm it is an official Tanzanian government site.

See our guide on the Tanzania e-Visa official website for how to identify legitimate vs. scam sites.

Step 2: Create Your Account

Click "Apply Now" or "New Application" on the portal homepage.

You will need to:

1. Enter your email address
2. Create a password
3. Verify your email via the confirmation link sent to your inbox
4. Log in to access the application form

Keep your login credentials saved — you will need them to track your application status and download your approved e-Visa.

Step 3: Complete the Online Application Form

The application form has several sections:

Personal Information:

• Full legal name (exactly as on your passport)
• Date of birth
• Gender
• Nationality / country of citizenship
• Country of birth

Passport Details:

• Passport type (ordinary/regular)
• Passport number
• Issue date
• Expiry date
• Issuing country

Travel Information:

• Visa type (tourist single entry, tourist multiple entry, business, transit)
• Intended date of arrival in Tanzania
• Port of entry (airport or border crossing)
• Purpose of visit
• Intended address or accommodation in Tanzania
• Number of days you intend to stay

Emergency Contact:

• Name and contact details of someone not traveling with you

Double-check every field carefully before proceeding. Errors in your name, passport number, or date of birth are a common cause of application rejection or border complications.

Step 4: Upload Your Documents

You will be prompted to upload:

1. Passport data page scan — must be in color, all details clearly legible, no glare or shadows. Accepted formats: PDF or JPEG, max 2MB per file.

1. Passport-style photograph — white background, face clearly visible, no headwear (unless for religious reasons), no glasses, taken within the last 6 months. Size: at least 300×300 pixels. See detailed Tanzania e-Visa photo requirements.

1. Return/onward ticket — PDF or JPEG of your flight or transport booking.

1. Accommodation booking — hotel confirmation, safari itinerary, or host invitation letter with their address and contact details.

Additional documents for business visa applicants:

• Invitation letter from the Tanzanian company
• Company registration certificate (Tanzanian host company)
• Letter from your employer confirming the business purpose

For a comprehensive list, see Tanzania e-Visa required documents.

Step 5: Pay the Application Fee

After completing the form and uploading documents, you will proceed to the payment page.

Official Tanzania e-Visa fees (government rate):

• Single Entry Tourist e-Visa: $50 USD
• Multiple Entry Tourist e-Visa: $100 USD
• Business e-Visa: $250 USD
• Transit e-Visa: $30 USD

Payment is accepted via Visa or Mastercard (credit or debit). Some applicants report success with prepaid cards, though this is not guaranteed.

Important: The application fee is non-refundable, even if your application is rejected or you cancel your travel plans. Do not submit your application until you are certain your documents are complete and accurate.

See our full guide on Tanzania e-Visa payment methods.

Step 6: Submit Your Application and Note Your Reference Number

After payment is confirmed:

1. Review the completed application summary
2. Submit the application
3. Record your application reference number — you will need this to track your application status

You will receive an email confirmation of submission. If you do not receive a confirmation within a few hours, check your spam folder or log back into the portal to verify submission.

Step 7: Track Your Application Status

Log into the portal using your credentials and navigate to "Check Application Status". Enter your reference number or access it from your account dashboard.

Application statuses typically shown:

• Submitted / Under Review — your application is being processed
• Additional Documents Required — immigration may request further documentation; respond promptly
• Approved — your e-Visa is ready to download
• Rejected — see the reason and consult our Tanzania e-Visa rejection guide

Processing typically takes 3 to 10 business days. See Tanzania e-Visa processing time for detailed timelines.

Step 8: Download and Print Your Tanzania e-Visa

Once approved, your e-Visa will be available as a PDF download in your portal account. You will also receive it by email.

Download and print your e-Visa — Tanzanian immigration officers expect to see a printed copy of your e-Visa at the port of entry. A digital copy on your phone may not be accepted.

Keep the printed e-Visa together with your passport throughout your trip. For full guidance, see Tanzania e-Visa download and print.

Tanzania e-Visa Application: Timeline

Our recommendation: Apply at least 3 weeks before your travel date. At an absolute minimum, submit at least 10 business days before departure.

Common Application Mistakes to Avoid

The most frequent reasons for Tanzania e-Visa delays or rejections:

1. Name mismatch — entering your name differently from your passport (e.g., including a middle name on the visa but not the passport)
2. Passport photo errors — colored background, sunglasses, hat, poor lighting, too small
3. Expired passport — passport must be valid for 6+ months beyond your departure date
4. Incomplete accommodation details — entering just a city name without a specific address
5. Missing return ticket — uploading only a one-way flight reservation
6. Low-quality document scans — blurry or dark scans that make details unreadable
7. Incorrect travel dates — entering visa start date before your actual travel date
8. Using third-party portals — paying extra fees and potential delays on unofficial platforms

See our full guide on Tanzania e-Visa common mistakes.

After Your Tanzania e-Visa Is Approved

Once you have your printed e-Visa:

• Book accommodations and tours confidently
• Present the printed e-Visa and passport at the immigration counter on arrival
• Keep a spare printed copy in your luggage (separate from your passport)
• Expect standard immigration questioning about your stay (duration, purpose, accommodation)

Read our guide on Tanzania e-Visa after approval and Tanzania e-Visa at the airport for what to expect on arrival day.

Apply for Your Country

We have step-by-step nationality-specific guides:

• How to apply — US citizens
• How to apply — UK citizens
• How to apply — Canadian citizens
• How to apply — Australian citizens
• How to apply — EU citizens
• How to apply — Indian citizens

Frequently Asked Questions