Saudi Arabian citizens must obtain a Tanzania e-Visa before departure. The application is entirely online at eservices.immigration.go.tz, costs USD 50 (~SAR 188) for a single entry, and takes 3-10 business days. For Saudi travellers, Tanzania offers a remarkable combination: the wildlife of the Serengeti, the summit of Kilimanjaro, and Zanzibar โ a predominantly Muslim island with a deep Arabic cultural heritage and halal food as the standard.
Do Saudi Citizens Need a Visa for Tanzania?
Yes, Saudi Arabian (ู ู ููุฉ ุงูุนุฑุจูุฉ ุงูุณุนูุฏูุฉ) passport holders require a visa to enter Tanzania. Saudi Arabia is eligible for the Tanzania e-Visa program, and the process is fully online โ no embassy visit required. Tanzania's eVisa website at evisa-tanzania.it.com confirms that "The Tanzania eVisa for Saudi Arabian visitors is usually issued as a single-entry visa, allowing travelers to stay in Tanzania for up to 90 days."
The Tanzania Embassy in Riyadh (ุงูุณูุงุฑุฉ ุงูุชูุฒุงููุฉ ูู ุงูุฑูุงุถ) handles consular matters for Saudi nationals but is not required for the e-Visa process.
Tanzania e-Visa Requirements for Saudi Citizens
- Valid Saudi Arabian passport (minimum 6 months validity beyond your planned departure from Tanzania, at least 2 blank pages)
- Recent digital passport photo (white background, JPEG format)
- Return or onward flight ticket from Tanzania
- Proof of accommodation (hotel booking, safari lodge, or host invitation letter)
- Proof of sufficient funds (bank statement showing minimum USD 500)
- Complete travel itinerary
- Valid email address for visa delivery
Tanzania e-Visa Cost for Saudi Citizens
| Visa Type | Fee (USD) | SAR Approximate |
|---|---|---|
| Tourist Single Entry | USD 50 | ~SAR 188 |
| Tourist Multiple Entry | USD 100 | ~SAR 375 |
| Business Single Entry | USD 50 | ~SAR 188 |
| Transit Visa | USD 30 | ~SAR 113 |
SAR is pegged to USD at approximately 3.75 SAR per USD. Payment is made by credit or debit card on the Tanzania Immigration portal in USD.
How to Apply: Step-by-Step
- Official portal โ Visit eservices.immigration.go.tz (ุงูู ููุน ุงูุฑุณู ู ูููุฌุฑุฉ ุงูุชูุฒุงููุฉ)
- Create an account โ Register with your email address
- Select visa type โ "Tourist e-Visa" and Saudi Arabia as nationality
- Enter passport details โ Full name as printed in the English section of your Saudi passport, passport number, date of birth, expiry date
- Upload documents โ Saudi passport bio-data page, digital photo, flight booking, hotel confirmation
- Review carefully โ Name must match your passport exactly (use the English transliteration from the passport)
- Pay USD 50 โ Credit or debit card accepted
- Save reference number โ Confirmation email arrives immediately
- Wait for approval โ 3-10 business days; check spam/junk folder
- Print your e-Visa โ Carry the printed approval alongside your Saudi passport
Processing Time
Standard processing: 3-10 business days. Apply at least 2 weeks before departure. The e-Visa is valid for 3 months from issue date; single entry allows up to 90 days in Tanzania.
Tanzania e-Visa vs Visa on Arrival for Saudi Citizens
| Feature | e-Visa (Online) | Visa on Arrival |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-travel arrangement | Yes | No |
| Queue on arrival | No (fast processing) | Yes |
| Cost | USD 50 | USD 50 |
| Recommended | Yes | Emergency only |
Saudi citizens are eligible for visa on arrival at Julius Nyerere (DAR), Kilimanjaro (JRO), and Zanzibar (ZNZ). However, the e-Visa is strongly recommended.
Saudi Arabia-Specific Travel Notes
Flights from Saudi Arabia to Tanzania:
Several airline options connect Saudi Arabia to Tanzania:
- Riyadh (RUH) โ Dubai (DXB) โ Dar es Salaam (DAR): Via Emirates; connect at DXB
- Jeddah (JED) โ Nairobi (NBO) โ DAR or JRO: Kenya Airways and other carriers
- Riyadh (RUH) โ Addis Ababa (ADD) โ DAR: Ethiopian Airlines
- Jeddah (JED) โ Dubai (DXB) โ Zanzibar (ZNZ): Emirates, popular for Zanzibar beach holidays
- Saudi Arabian Airlines (Saudia) may offer connections via Gulf hubs
Flight time from Riyadh to Dar es Salaam: approximately 7-9 hours total including connection.
Zanzibar: Tanzania's Muslim Heritage Island:
Zanzibar (ุฌุฒูุฑุฉ ุฒูุฌุจุงุฑ) is ideally suited for Saudi and Muslim travellers:
- Islamic heritage: Zanzibar has centuries of Arab and Islamic influence. Stone Town (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) features mosques, Arabic architecture, and Swahili-Arab culture that will feel culturally familiar
- Halal food: The standard throughout Zanzibar. Seafood, rice, and spice-infused Swahili cuisine is largely halal. Most restaurants do not serve pork
- Prayer facilities: Mosques (masjids) are found throughout Zanzibar and coastal Tanzania
- Conservative culture outside resorts: Modest dress is appreciated in Stone Town and local villages
- Ramadan in Zanzibar: Widely observed; iftar meals available; respectful atmosphere
Mainland Tanzania for Saudi travellers: The Tanzanian coast (Dar es Salaam, Bagamoyo) also has a significant Muslim population. Inland safari areas (Serengeti, Arusha) are secular but tourist-friendly and halal food options are available at major lodges upon request.
Currency for Saudi travellers: Tanzania uses TZS (Tanzanian Shilling). USD is widely accepted in tourist areas. SAR is not accepted in Tanzania โ convert to USD before travel or use a card.