The Tanzania Business Visa costs $250 USD and is issued for single entry to foreigners conducting specific commercial activities — repairing equipment, professional auditing, short-term training, or lawful business operations. It is not renewable or extendable, so it must cover the full duration of your business visit before entry. The Tanzania Business Visa is applied for online at visa.immigration.go.tz or through a Tanzania embassy.
What Activities Require a Tanzania Business Visa?
According to Tanzania Immigration Services, the Business Visa is issued for:
- Special technical assignments — fixing or repairing machines, installing equipment, short-term technical training
- Professional roles — auditing accounts, consulting, inspection services
- Lawful business activities — conducting commercial activities permitted under Tanzanian law
The business visa does NOT allow:
- Taking up employment in Tanzania (requires work permit)
- Starting a company or establishing permanent business operations (requires residence/work permits)
- Activities not described in the accompanying invitation letter
If your visit is purely for tourism during a business trip, the standard Ordinary tourist visa may be more appropriate and significantly cheaper ($50 vs $250).
Tanzania Business Visa Requirements
Tanzania Immigration lists these required documents for a business visa:
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Valid passport | Minimum 6 months validity from arrival date |
| Visa fee | $250 USD |
| Passport-size photo | 1 photo required |
| Return ticket | Required for application and at arrival |
| Host company registration | Business Licence or Certificate of Incorporation of the Tanzanian company |
| Invitation/covering letter | From the Tanzanian host institution, specifying the purpose and duration of the assignment |
The invitation letter must be:
- On official company letterhead
- Signed by an authorized signatory (director, HR manager, or equivalent)
- Addressed to the Commissioner General of Immigration
- Include: applicant's full name and passport number, company name and registration number, specific purpose/activities, planned dates of visit, contact details
Tanzania Business Visa: Cost and Key Details
- Fee: $250 USD
- Entry type: Single entry only
- Validity: Corresponds to the duration of the stated business assignment
- Renewable: No — the Tanzania Business Visa is neither renewable nor extendable (unless special permission is granted by the Commissioner General of Immigration)
- Multiple entry: Not available as standard business visa — the $250 business visa is single entry
The high fee ($250 vs $50 for tourist visa) reflects the specialized nature of the business visa and covers the additional verification required for commercial activities.
Tanzania Business Visa vs Tourist Visa
| Feature | Business Visa | Tourist/Ordinary Visa |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | $250 | $50 |
| Purpose | Commercial activities | Tourism, holiday, family visits |
| Invitation letter | Required | Not required |
| Company documents | Required | Not required |
| Renewable | No | No |
| Maximum stay | Per assignment duration | 90 days |
If your trip involves primarily tourism with minor business meetings, a tourist visa may be sufficient. If the primary purpose is commercial activity, the Business Visa is required. Misrepresenting your purpose of visit on the visa application can result in rejection or deportation.
How to Apply for Tanzania Business Visa Online
- Go to https://visa.immigration.go.tz
- Click "Apply For A New Visa" under New Application
- Enter your email, passport number, and passport-issuing country
- Fill in personal details including employer and occupation
- Select "Business Visa" as the visa type
- Select purpose of visit: "Business"
- Upload required documents:
- Passport biodata page
- Passport-size photo
- Return ticket
- Host company registration certificate
- Invitation/covering letter from Tanzanian company
- Pay the $250 fee by Visa or Mastercard
- Wait for processing (up to 10 business days)
- Receive Visa Grant Notice by email
Tanzania Business Visa Through the Embassy
For some nationalities or circumstances, applying through a Tanzania embassy may be required or preferred. The US Tanzania Embassy in Washington D.C. processes business visas, as do Tanzania embassies worldwide.
Contact the nearest Tanzania embassy with your full application package. Processing times through embassies vary by location — typically 1–3 weeks.
Tanzania Visa for Business Travelers From Key Countries
- US citizens: Business visa costs $250 (same as other nationalities). US tourists must use multiple entry visa ($100); business travelers should use the $250 business visa
- UK/EU citizens: Standard $250 business visa applies
- Indian citizens: India is not in Tanzania's visa-free list; business visa costs $250
- Chinese citizens: Business visa applicable; China is in the visa-on-arrival eligible list but business visa applies for commercial purposes
Frequently Asked Questions
Related guides: Requirements | Fees | Processing Time