Surinamese citizens must obtain a Tanzania e-Visa before departure. A critical requirement for Surinamese travellers: Suriname is a yellow fever endemic country, meaning a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate is mandatory for entry into Tanzania. The e-Visa costs USD 50 for single entry, is applied for at eservices.immigration.go.tz, and takes 3-10 business days.
Do Surinamese Citizens Need a Visa for Tanzania?
Yes, Surinamese (Surinaams) passport holders require a visa to enter Tanzania. Suriname is listed as eligible for the Tanzania e-Visa program. Tanzania does not maintain a resident embassy in Suriname — the online e-Visa system is the primary and most practical option for Surinamese applicants.
Suriname's own e-Visa system (suriname.vfsevisa.com) is for foreign nationals visiting Suriname. This is a separate system unrelated to the Tanzania e-Visa that Surinamese citizens need when travelling to Tanzania.
Tanzania e-Visa Requirements for Surinamese Citizens
- Valid Surinamese passport (minimum 6 months validity beyond your departure from Tanzania, at least 2 blank pages)
- Valid International Certificate of Vaccination (yellow card) — Yellow fever vaccination is REQUIRED; Suriname is an endemic country
- Recent digital passport photo (white background, JPEG format)
- Return or onward flight ticket from Tanzania
- Proof of accommodation (hotel booking, safari lodge confirmation, 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 Surinamese Citizens
| Visa Type | Fee (USD) | SRD Approximate |
|---|---|---|
| Tourist Single Entry | USD 50 | ~SRD 1,800 |
| Tourist Multiple Entry | USD 100 | ~SRD 3,600 |
| Business Single Entry | USD 50 | ~SRD 1,800 |
| Transit Visa | USD 30 | ~SRD 1,080 |
Suriname uses the Surinamese Dollar (SRD). Conversion rates fluctuate; amounts above are approximate. Payment is made in USD by credit or debit card on the Tanzania Immigration portal.
How to Apply: Step-by-Step
- Official portal — Visit eservices.immigration.go.tz
- Create an account — Register with email and password
- Select visa type — "Tourist e-Visa" and Suriname as nationality
- Enter passport details — Full name as in Surinamese passport, date of birth, passport number, expiry date
- Upload documents — Passport bio-data page scan, digital photo, flight confirmation, accommodation proof
- Review carefully — All details must match your passport
- Pay USD 50 — Card payment accepted
- Save reference number — Confirmation email arrives immediately
- Await approval — 3-10 business days; check spam folder
- Print your e-Visa — Carry printed approval with your Surinamese passport AND yellow fever certificate
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 Surinamese Citizens
| Feature | e-Visa (Pre-applied) | Visa on Arrival |
|---|---|---|
| Apply from Suriname | Yes | No |
| Queue on arrival | No | Yes |
| Cost | USD 50 | USD 50 |
| Recommended | Yes | Emergency backup |
Both options are available; the yellow fever certificate is required regardless of entry method.
Suriname-Specific Travel Notes
Yellow Fever Certificate — Mandatory Requirement:
Suriname is classified as a yellow fever endemic country. Tanzania immigration officers will check for a valid International Certificate of Vaccination (Gele kaart) upon arrival. Without it, you may be vaccinated on the spot (at cost), quarantined, or denied entry. Ensure vaccination is administered at least 10 days before departure, and that your yellow card is valid.
How long does a Suriname eVisa take? This question from the SERP relates to visitors going to Suriname. Suriname's own e-Visa system processes applications in approximately 3-7 business days. For Tanzania, the processing is 3-10 business days.
Flights from Suriname to Tanzania:
No direct flights connect Paramaribo (PBM) to Tanzania. The most common routings:
- Paramaribo (PBM) → Amsterdam (AMS) → Nairobi or DAR: KLM flies PBM-AMS; then connect to Tanzania via KLM's Amsterdam–Tanzania routes
- Paramaribo (PBM) → Miami (MIA) → ADD → DAR: American Airlines + Ethiopian Airlines combination
- Paramaribo (PBM) → Bogotá (BOG) → São Paulo (GRU) → DAR: South American routing via Brazilian hub
Total travel time from Paramaribo: approximately 22-30 hours.
Currency for Surinamese travellers: Tanzania uses TZS (Tanzanian Shilling). USD is the dominant tourist currency. SRD is not accepted in Tanzania — convert to USD before travel.
Do you need a visa for Dar es Salaam? Dar es Salaam is Tanzania's commercial capital and is served by Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR). The Tanzania e-Visa grants entry to Dar es Salaam and all other Tanzania destinations including Zanzibar.