Sri Lankan citizens can now apply for a Tanzania e-Visa through the standard online system. This is a significant development: in September 2024, Tanzania lifted 20-year visa restrictions that had previously made travel more difficult for Sri Lankan passport holders. Sri Lankans can now apply for the regular Tanzania e-Visa at eservices.immigration.go.tz โ the same process as other eligible nationalities โ at USD 50 for single entry.
Do Sri Lankan Citizens Need a Visa for Tanzania?
Yes, Sri Lankan (เทเทโเถปเท เถฝเทเถเถเทเถบ / เฎเฎฒเฎเฏเฎเฏเฎฏเฎฐเฏ) passport holders require a visa to enter Tanzania. However, the process significantly improved in 2024: Tanzania's lifting of the previous special restrictions means Sri Lankans now apply via the standard e-Visa portal without additional steps or extended waiting periods.
ATTA (African Travel & Tourism Association) reported in September 2024 that "Tanzania lifts 20-year visa restrictions, easing travel for Sri Lankans. Travellers can now apply for regular visas online, eliminating the additional steps and extended waiting periods previously required." This is a major positive change for Sri Lankan travellers planning safaris and Zanzibar visits.
Tanzania e-Visa Requirements for Sri Lankan Citizens
- Valid Sri Lankan passport (minimum 6 months validity beyond your 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 Sri Lankan Citizens
| Visa Type | Fee (USD) | LKR Approximate |
|---|---|---|
| Tourist Single Entry | USD 50 | ~LKR 15,000 |
| Tourist Multiple Entry | USD 100 | ~LKR 30,000 |
| Business Single Entry | USD 50 | ~LKR 15,000 |
| Transit Visa | USD 30 | ~LKR 9,000 |
LKR amounts are indicative based on approximate exchange rates and will vary. Payment is made in USD by credit or debit card on the Tanzania portal.
How to Apply: Step-by-Step
- Official portal โ Visit eservices.immigration.go.tz (following the 2024 policy change, the standard portal applies)
- Create an account โ Register with your email address
- Select visa type โ "Tourist e-Visa" and Sri Lanka as nationality
- Enter passport details โ Full name as in your Sri Lankan passport, date of birth, passport number, expiry date
- Upload documents โ Passport bio-data page scan, digital photo, flight confirmation, hotel booking
- Review carefully โ Ensure all details match your passport exactly
- Pay USD 50 โ Credit or debit card accepted
- Save reference number โ Email confirmation arrives immediately
- Await approval โ 3-10 business days
- Print your e-Visa โ Carry the printed approval and your Sri Lankan passport
Processing Time
Standard processing: 3-10 business days. Apply at least 2 weeks before travel. 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 Sri Lankan Citizens
| Feature | e-Visa (Pre-applied) | Visa on Arrival |
|---|---|---|
| Apply from Sri Lanka | Yes | No |
| Queue on arrival | No | Yes |
| Cost | USD 50 | USD 50 |
| Which is better? | e-Visa recommended | Backup option |
The SERP data shows "Which is better, e-Visa or visa on arrival?" is a common question among Sri Lankan travellers to Tanzania. The e-Visa is strongly recommended โ it provides a confirmed visa before departure and avoids airport queues.
Sri Lanka-Specific Travel Notes
2024 Policy Change โ What Changed:
Prior to September 2024, Sri Lankan passport holders faced additional scrutiny and extended processing times. The policy change brings Sri Lanka in line with standard eligible nationalities, making the e-Visa process equivalent to that of, for example, Indian or Pakistani applicants.
Flights from Sri Lanka to Tanzania:
No direct flights connect Colombo (CMB/BIA) to Tanzania. Sri Lankan travellers connect through:
- Colombo (CMB) โ Dubai (DXB) โ Dar es Salaam (DAR): Emirates; very popular route, approximately 10-11 hours total
- Colombo (CMB) โ Doha (DOH) โ DAR: Qatar Airways; around 10-12 hours total
- Colombo (CMB) โ Nairobi (NBO) โ DAR: Kenya Airways; approximately 9-10 hours total
- Colombo (CMB) โ Addis Ababa (ADD) โ DAR: Ethiopian Airlines
Total travel time from Colombo: approximately 12-18 hours.
Currency for Sri Lankan travellers: Tanzania uses TZS (Tanzanian Shilling). Sri Lankan Rupees (LKR) are not accepted in Tanzania. USD is the dominant tourist currency โ carry USD cash for safari payments and remote areas. Convert LKR to USD before departure.
Common questions from Sri Lankan travellers: The SERP data shows Sri Lankans commonly ask about e-Visa vs visa on arrival processing times. Given the 2024 policy normalization, e-Visa processing is now the same as for other eligible nationalities: 3-10 business days via eservices.immigration.go.tz.