When you arrive in Tanzania with an approved e-Visa, the immigration process is straightforward — present your Visa Grant Notice, passport, return ticket, and complete the arrival declaration card at the immigration counter. Tanzania Immigration officers at Julius Nyerere, Kilimanjaro, and Zanzibar airports process e-Visa holders through designated lanes that are typically faster than the visa-on-arrival queue.
Before You Land: Documents to Have Ready
Tanzania e-Visa holders must carry the following upon arrival:
- Visa Grant Notice — printed or saved on your phone (PDF format). This is the approval email from Tanzania Immigration Services
- Original passport — same passport used in the Tanzania e-Visa application, valid for at least 6 months
- Return or onward flight ticket — Tanzania immigration officers will verify you have a departure booking
- Arrival Declaration Card — filled out on the plane or available at the airport
- Evidence of funds — credit card, cash, or bank statement if asked
- Accommodation details — hotel name and address (in case of questions)
Having these documents organised in a folder or accessible on your phone significantly speeds up your Tanzania e-Visa arrival process.
Step-by-Step Tanzania e-Visa Arrival Process
Step 1: Follow Signs to Immigration
After disembarking and passing through the terminal corridors, follow signs to "Immigration" or "Passport Control." At major airports like Julius Nyerere International (Dar es Salaam) and Kilimanjaro International, look for e-Visa holder lanes if available — these may process faster than visa-on-arrival lines.
Step 2: Complete the Arrival Declaration Card
You will receive an arrival card on the plane or at the airport. Fill it out completely:
- Full name (as on passport)
- Nationality
- Passport number
- Country of residence
- Purpose of visit (Tourism, Business, etc.)
- Accommodation in Tanzania (hotel name/address)
- Planned departure date
Step 3: Present Documents to Immigration Officer
At the immigration counter, hand the officer your:
- Passport (open to the bio page)
- Visa Grant Notice (printed or on phone)
- Completed arrival declaration card
The immigration officer will verify your Tanzania e-Visa details against your passport, stamp your passport with the entry date, and grant you entry. Most e-Visa holder queues move quickly.
Step 4: Passport Stamp and Entry Permission
The immigration officer stamps your passport with:
- Date of entry
- Permitted duration of stay (typically 90 days for single entry, or up to 12 months for multiple entry US visas)
Important: The Visa Grant Notice alone does not guarantee entry. The immigration officer has final authority and may ask additional questions about your purpose of visit, accommodation, or funds.
Step 5: Collect Baggage and Proceed
After immigration clearance, collect your baggage and proceed through customs. Tanzania Customs declarations apply to goods over the duty-free threshold.
Tanzania e-Visa vs Visa on Arrival: Arrival Time Comparison
Travelers who pre-apply for Tanzania e-Visa generally experience faster processing than those obtaining a visa on arrival. The visa-on-arrival process involves additional steps: queuing at VOA counters, filling forms, paying fees (cash or card), and receiving the visa stamp — this can take 30 minutes to 2 hours depending on flight volumes.
Traveler reports indicate that both processes are generally manageable at Tanzanian airports, but e-Visa holders avoid the risk of slow payment lines or form-filling delays common at peak arrival times.
Which Airports Process Tanzania e-Visa Arrivals?
Tanzania e-Visas are valid for arrival at all official entry points:
- Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR) — Dar es Salaam, main international hub
- Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) — for Kilimanjaro and northern safari circuit travelers
- Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ) — Zanzibar
- Land border crossings — Namanga (Kenya), Holili (Kenya), Tunduma (Zambia), Kasumulu, Sirari
- Sea ports — Dar es Salaam port and other official sea entry points
Specify your actual port of entry when applying for the Tanzania e-Visa — the entry point on the form must match your actual arrival point.
Entry Denied: What Can Happen Even With Approved e-Visa
Tanzania Immigration officers can refuse entry even with an approved Visa Grant Notice if:
- You cannot show a return or onward ticket
- You appear unable to financially support your stay
- Your passport has insufficient validity or blank pages
- Information provided on arrival contradicts your visa application
- You are flagged for other security or immigration reasons
If entry is denied, you will be returned to your point of origin. Tanzania Immigration's position is that the Visa Grant Notice is an authorization to present yourself for entry — not a guaranteed right of entry.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related guides: Requirements | Fees | Processing Time