New Zealand citizens need a Tanzania e-Visa to enter Tanzania. The tourist single-entry e-Visa costs USD 50, takes 3-10 business days to process, and allows a stay of up to 90 days. Kiwis can apply entirely online at eservices.immigration.go.tz — no embassy visit required. Visa on arrival is also available at Dar es Salaam, Kilimanjaro, and Zanzibar international airports for USD 50.
Do New Zealand Citizens Need a Visa for Tanzania?
Yes, New Zealand citizens need a visa to enter Tanzania. New Zealand passport holders are eligible for both the Tanzania e-Visa (applied for online before travel) and visa on arrival (processed at the airport). Tanzania does not offer visa-free access to New Zealand nationals.
New Zealand holds one of the world's most powerful passports, giving visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to over 180 countries — but Tanzania is not among them. The application process is fully online, straightforward, and takes around 10-15 minutes to complete.
Most applications from New Zealand are approved within 3-7 business days. Given the long-haul flight from New Zealand (20+ hours), applying at least 2-3 weeks before departure is strongly recommended.
Tanzania e-Visa Requirements for New Zealand Citizens
- Valid New Zealand passport (minimum 6 months validity beyond your return date, at least 2 blank pages)
- Recent passport-size digital photo (white or plain light background, colour, JPEG format, taken within last 6 months)
- Return or onward flight ticket
- Proof of accommodation in Tanzania (hotel confirmation, lodge booking, or host's invitation letter)
- Proof of sufficient funds (bank statement; USD 500 equivalent is widely cited as the minimum)
- Travel itinerary for your stay
- Valid email address for receiving the e-Visa approval
Yellow fever vaccination certificate may be required if you transit through a yellow fever-endemic country. Most routings from New Zealand via the Middle East or Asia do not require it, but verify your specific transit points.
Tanzania e-Visa Cost for New Zealand Citizens
| Visa Type | Fee (USD) | NZD Approx. |
|---|---|---|
| Tourist Single Entry | USD 50 | ~NZD 85 |
| Tourist Multiple Entry | USD 100 | ~NZD 170 |
| Business Single Entry | USD 50 | ~NZD 85 |
| Transit | USD 30 | ~NZD 51 |
Payment is made by credit or debit card on the official portal. NZD is not accepted — the portal charges in USD. Check the current NZD/USD rate when applying.
How to Apply: Step-by-Step
- Visit the official portal — Go to eservices.immigration.go.tz
- Create an account — Register with your email address
- Select visa type — Choose "Tourist e-Visa" and select New Zealand as your nationality
- Enter passport details — Fill in all fields exactly as they appear on your New Zealand passport
- Upload required documents — Passport bio-data page, digital photo, hotel confirmation, and flight ticket
- Review all information — Check for typos in your name and passport number
- Pay USD 50 — By Visa, Mastercard, or other accepted card
- Note your application reference number — Sent by email immediately after submission
- Wait for approval — 3-10 business days (often 3-5 for New Zealand applications)
- Download and print the e-Visa — Present the printed document at Tanzania's port of entry
Processing Time
Standard processing: 3-10 business days. Apply at least 2 weeks before departure. The e-Visa is valid for 3 months from the issue date, with a maximum permitted stay of 90 days.
Tanzania e-Visa vs Visa on Arrival for New Zealand Citizens
| Feature | e-Visa (Online) | Visa on Arrival |
|---|---|---|
| Application location | Online before travel | At the airport on arrival |
| Cost | USD 50 | USD 50 |
| Wait time | 3-10 days to receive | 30-90 mins at the counter |
| Available at | All entry points | Julius Nyerere (DAR), Kilimanjaro (JRO), Zanzibar (ZNZ) airports only |
| Recommended | Yes, strongly | As a backup only |
Given the 20+ hour flight from New Zealand, arriving with a pre-approved e-Visa is much less stressful. Long queues at the visa-on-arrival counter are common, particularly at Julius Nyerere International Airport.
New Zealand-Specific Travel Notes
Airlines from New Zealand to Tanzania: There are no direct flights from New Zealand to Tanzania. Common routing options:
- Emirates via Dubai (DXB) — from Auckland (AKL) to Kilimanjaro (JRO) or Dar es Salaam (DAR), approximately 22-24 hours total
- Qatar Airways via Doha (DOH) — from Auckland or Christchurch, approximately 23-25 hours total
- Singapore Airlines via Singapore (SIN) then onwards — approximately 24-26 hours total
- Qantas/Ethiopian Airlines connection via Sydney and Addis Ababa (ADD) — a longer but sometimes cheaper option
Flight time from New Zealand: Auckland to Dar es Salaam or Kilimanjaro involves at least 20-22 hours of flying time across two legs.
Currency: New Zealand dollar (NZD) is not exchangeable in Tanzania. Bring USD cash or use ATMs in Dar es Salaam and Arusha. Most safari lodges and camps price in USD and accept payment directly. Zanzibar's Stone Town has several exchange bureaus. Carry small USD denominations for tips and purchases in remote areas.
Time zone: Tanzania is UTC+3 (East Africa Time). New Zealand Standard Time is UTC+12 (summer) / UTC+13 (daylight saving), so expect significant jet lag. Build in a recovery day after arrival before starting strenuous activities like Kilimanjaro.
Popular destinations for New Zealanders: Serengeti National Park (Great Wildebeest Migration, July-October is peak), Ngorongoro Crater, Mount Kilimanjaro (Lemosho and Machame routes are popular), Zanzibar's beaches, and the Selous/Nyerere Game Reserve in the south.