The Tanzania e-Visa requires four core documents for tourist applicants: a passport scan, passport photo, return ticket, and accommodation proof. Business visa applicants need three additional documents. This guide provides exact specifications for each document so your application goes through without delays.
Core Documents for All Tanzania e-Visa Applicants
Document 1: Passport Data Page Scan
Purpose: Verifies your identity and passport details
Specifications:
- Format: JPEG or PDF
- Maximum size: 2MB
- Color: Color only — black and white scans are rejected
- Quality: All text must be fully legible — no blurriness, shadows, glare, or cropping
- Content: Must show your photo, full name, nationality, passport number, issue date, expiry date, signature, and MRZ lines
How to scan correctly:
- Place passport flat on a white surface or scanner bed
- Open to the bio data page
- Scan at 300 DPI or photograph in good flat lighting
- Check the image — zoom in to verify every character is readable
- Save as JPEG or PDF under 2MB
Common errors: Photographed at an angle (causing trapezoidal distortion), shadows across the page, parts of the page cropped out, image too dark.
Document 2: Passport-Style Photograph
Purpose: Confirms your appearance for immigration verification
Specifications:
| Specification | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Format | JPEG |
| Minimum size | 300 × 300 pixels |
| Maximum file size | 2MB |
| Background | White or off-white ONLY |
| Recency | Within last 6 months |
| Face coverage | 70–80% of frame |
| Eyes | Open, looking directly at camera |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed |
| Glasses | Not permitted |
| Head coverings | Only for verified religious reasons |
| Lighting | Even, no shadows |
| Editing | No filters or digital alterations |
For complete photo requirements, see Tanzania e-Visa photo requirements.
Document 3: Return or Onward Travel Ticket
Purpose: Proves you have a plan to leave Tanzania within the visa validity period
What is accepted:
- Round-trip flight booking confirmation (most common)
- One-way flight to a third country (showing onward journey from Tanzania)
- Bus or ferry booking showing departure from Tanzania
Format: JPEG or PDF
Must show: Your full name, dates, route, and booking reference
Paid vs. unpaid: A booking confirmation (not fully paid) is generally acceptable
Document 4: Accommodation Proof
Purpose: Confirms where you will be staying in Tanzania
What is accepted (one of the following):
Hotel booking: Confirmation email or booking page showing:
- Your name
- Hotel name and address
- Check-in and check-out dates
- Booking reference number
Safari operator confirmation: Booking confirmation or itinerary from a Tanzania-based safari company showing:
- Your name
- Accommodation details for each night
- Dates and locations
Letter of invitation from a host in Tanzania: Required if you are staying with a friend, relative, or business contact. Must include:
- Host's full legal name
- Host's residential address (street, city)
- Host's phone number and email
- Their relationship to you (friend, relative, colleague)
- A copy of their Tanzanian national ID or passport
- Statement confirming they will accommodate you and the dates
Additional Documents for Business e-Visa
Business visa applicants must additionally provide:
Document 5: Invitation Letter from Tanzanian Company
- On official company letterhead
- Signed by an authorized signatory with a company stamp
- Addressed to Tanzania Immigration
- Must state:
- Your full name and nationality
- The nature of the business activities (specific, not generic)
- Duration of the planned visit
- Company name, registration number, and address
- Contact details of the signatory
Document 6: Company Registration Certificate
- Certificate of Incorporation or Compliance of the Tanzanian host company
- Must be a valid, active registration
- Can be a scanned copy
Document 7: Host's Identification
- Copy of the passport or national ID of the person who signed the invitation letter
- Must be clear and legible
Additional Documents for Transit e-Visa
Transit applicants should also provide:
Document 8: Visa for Destination Country (if applicable)
- If your onward destination requires a visa, provide a copy of that visa
- Shows you are genuinely in transit and have authorization for your final destination
Documents to Bring to Tanzania Airport (In Addition to e-Visa)
Even with a pre-approved e-Visa, have these available at the immigration counter:
- Printed Tanzania e-Visa
- Passport
- Return/onward ticket (on phone or printed)
- Accommodation address (hotel name and address)
- Yellow fever certificate (if applicable)
- Cash for any incidental immigration charges (rare but possible)
Document Preparation Checklist
Use this checklist before submitting your Tanzania e-Visa application:
- Passport valid for 6+ months beyond last day in Tanzania
- At least 2 blank visa pages in passport
- Color passport bio page scanned (300 DPI, all text legible, under 2MB)
- Passport photo: white background, JPEG, 300×300px+, within 6 months, no glasses
- Return/onward ticket booking confirmation saved as JPEG or PDF
- Hotel/safari/host accommodation confirmation ready to upload
- (Business only) Invitation letter, company registration, host ID ready
- (Transit only) Destination country visa ready if applicable
- Visa or Mastercard ready for $50 USD payment
Frequently Asked Questions
Related guides: Requirements | Fees | Processing Time