Norwegian citizens need a Tanzania e-Visa to enter Tanzania — and the good news is the entire application is done online before you fly. The tourist e-Visa costs USD 50, processing typically takes 3-10 business days, and the visa is valid for 90 days. Norway's strong passport ranks among the world's most powerful, but Tanzania requires visas from all nationalities not on its small exemption list.
Do Norwegian Citizens Need a Visa for Tanzania?
Yes, Norwegian citizens require a visa to enter Tanzania. Norway is not on Tanzania's visa-exemption list, which covers only a small set of African nations. Norwegian passport holders must either apply for the Tanzania e-Visa online before travel or obtain a visa on arrival at designated entry points.
Tanzania is one of the most popular long-haul destinations for Norwegian travellers — Kilimanjaro trekking, Serengeti safaris, and Zanzibar beach escapes all draw significant Norwegian tourist traffic each year. The e-Visa system was introduced specifically to streamline entry for high-volume Western nationalities including Norwegians.
Both options — e-Visa and visa on arrival — are legally valid. However, immigration officers at Tanzania airports consistently advise pre-applying via e-Visa to avoid lengthy arrival queues, especially during peak safari season (June–October).
Tanzania e-Visa Requirements for Norwegian Citizens
- Valid Norwegian passport (minimum 6 months validity beyond your intended departure date, with at least 2 blank pages)
- Recent passport-size digital photo (white background, colour, JPEG format, taken within last 6 months)
- Return or onward flight ticket confirmation
- Proof of accommodation in Tanzania (hotel booking or host's invitation letter with address)
- Proof of sufficient funds (bank statement, minimum approximately USD 500 recommended)
- Travel itinerary covering your planned stay
- Valid email address to receive the approved e-Visa
Yellow fever vaccination certificate is required if you are arriving via a yellow fever-endemic country (e.g., transiting through Kenya or Uganda via certain routes). Norway itself is not endemic, so direct arrivals do not require the certificate.
Tanzania e-Visa Cost for Norwegian Citizens
| Visa Type | Fee (USD) | NOK Approx. |
|---|---|---|
| Tourist Single Entry | USD 50 | ~NOK 540 |
| Tourist Multiple Entry | USD 100 | ~NOK 1,080 |
| Business Single Entry | USD 50 | ~NOK 540 |
| Transit | USD 30 | ~NOK 325 |
Fees are paid by credit or debit card on the official portal. Visa, Mastercard, and other international cards are accepted. The Norwegian krone equivalent fluctuates with the USD/NOK exchange rate — check your bank on the application day.
How to Apply: Step-by-Step
- Go to the official portal — Visit eservices.immigration.go.tz
- Create an account — Register with your email address and set a secure password
- Start a new application — Select "Tourist e-Visa" and choose Norway as your nationality
- Enter personal details — Fill in your name, date of birth, and passport number exactly as they appear on your Norwegian passport
- Upload documents — Upload your passport bio-data page scan, digital passport photo, and supporting documents (hotel booking, flight ticket)
- Review carefully — Double-check every field; errors cause delays
- Pay the fee — USD 50 by credit/debit card
- Submit and save your reference number — You'll receive an email confirmation
- Wait for approval — Typically 3-10 business days (often faster for Norwegian passports)
- Download and print your e-Visa — Present the printed copy plus your Norwegian passport at the border
Processing Time
Standard processing: 3-10 business days. In practice, Norwegian applications are often approved within 3-5 business days. Apply at least 2 weeks before your departure date to allow buffer time. The e-Visa is valid for 3 months from the date of issue, with a maximum stay of 90 days per entry.
Tanzania e-Visa vs Visa on Arrival for Norwegian Citizens
| Feature | e-Visa (Online) | Visa on Arrival |
|---|---|---|
| Where to apply | Online before travel | At the airport on arrival |
| Cost | USD 50 | USD 50 |
| Wait time | 3-10 days processing | 30-90 mins at the counter |
| Available at | All entry points | Julius Nyerere (DAR), Kilimanjaro (JRO), Zanzibar (ZNZ) airports only |
| Recommended | Yes | Only if e-Visa unavailable |
Visa on arrival is available and legal, but lines at Julius Nyerere International Airport (Dar es Salaam) can be very long during peak season. Norwegian travellers arriving on overnight flights from Oslo often face 45-90 minute queues at the visa-on-arrival counter.
Norway-Specific Travel Notes
Airlines from Norway to Tanzania: Norwegian Air Shuttle does not operate direct routes to Tanzania. Common connections from Oslo Gardermoen (OSL) include:
- KLM via Amsterdam (AMS) to Kilimanjaro (JRO) or Dar es Salaam (DAR) — approximately 13-14 hours total
- Qatar Airways via Doha (DOH) — approximately 14-15 hours total
- Turkish Airlines via Istanbul (IST) — approximately 14-16 hours total
- Ethiopian Airlines via Addis Ababa (ADD) — approximately 16-17 hours total
Flight time: Oslo to Kilimanjaro is approximately 12-13 hours of flying time (with one connection).
Popular destinations for Norwegians: Serengeti National Park (Great Migration, July-October), Ngorongoro Crater, Mount Kilimanjaro (summit routes: Marangu, Machame), Zanzibar Stone Town, and Pemba Island.
Currency: Tanzania uses the Tanzanian Shilling (TZS). Norwegian Krone (NOK) is not accepted locally. Bring USD cash or exchange at Dar es Salaam/Kilimanjaro airport. Many safari lodges price in USD. ATMs are available in Arusha, Dar es Salaam, and Stone Town but are unreliable in remote areas.
Travel advisory: Norway's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Utenriksdepartementet) maintains current travel advice for Tanzania at regjeringen.no. Check before departure for any updates on safety or health requirements.