Tanzania e-Visa for Swiss Citizens: Requirements, Fees in CHF, and Application Guide

Switzerland holds one of the world's top-ranked passports, with visa-free access to over 190 countries — but Tanzania is not among them. Swiss citizens must apply for a Tanzania e-Visa before travel, at USD 50 (approximately CHF 46 at current rates) for a single entry. The application is entirely online at eservices.immigration.go.tz and takes 3-10 business days.

Do Swiss Citizens Need a Visa for Tanzania?

Yes, Swiss citizens require a visa to enter Tanzania. Switzerland's Schengen membership and powerful passport rank do not grant visa-free access to Tanzania. Every Swiss passport holder — regardless of dual citizenship with an EU country — must obtain a Tanzania visa before arrival.

The Tanzania e-Visa eliminates any need to visit the Tanzanian Embassy in Bern (Botschaft der Vereinigten Republik Tansania in Bern). Swiss applicants complete the entire process online, upload their documents, pay by card, and receive the approved visa by email. The nearby Tanzania Embassy in Switzerland covers consular needs but e-Visa applications bypass this entirely.

Tanzania e-Visa Requirements for Swiss Citizens

• Valid Swiss passport (minimum 6 months validity beyond your intended departure from Tanzania, at least 2 blank pages)
• Recent digital passport photo (white background, JPEG, within last 6 months)
• Return or onward flight ticket from Tanzania
• Proof of accommodation (hotel booking, lodge confirmation, or host invitation letter)
• Proof of sufficient funds (bank statement / Kontoauszug showing minimum USD 500)
• Complete travel itinerary
• Valid email address for visa correspondence

Tanzania e-Visa Cost for Swiss Citizens

The CHF equivalent depends on the USD/CHF exchange rate at the time of payment. The Tanzania portal charges in USD; your Swiss card will convert automatically. Swiss cards issued by UBS, Credit Suisse (now UBS), PostFinance, Raiffeisen, and others all work for international card payments.

How to Apply: Step-by-Step

1. Official portal — Visit eservices.immigration.go.tz. Use only the official site — not third-party agents who add fees
2. Create account — Register with your email address
3. Select visa type — "Tourist e-Visa" and Switzerland (Suisse / Schweiz / Svizzera) as nationality
4. Enter passport details — Full name as in passport, date of birth, passport number, expiry date
5. Upload documents — Passport scan (bio-data page), photo, flight and hotel confirmations
6. Review all details — Check passport number and name spelling carefully
7. Pay USD 50 — Credit or debit card; Visa and Mastercard accepted
8. Save reference number — Email confirmation arrives immediately
9. Wait for approval — 3-10 business days; check spam/junk folder
10. Print your e-Visa — Carry the printed approval with your Swiss passport at all border points

Processing Time

Standard processing: 3-10 business days. Apply at least 2 weeks before your travel date. The e-Visa is valid for 3 months from the issue date. A single entry allows a stay of up to 90 days in Tanzania. If your application is rejected due to a document error, you can reapply — allow time for this.

Tanzania e-Visa vs Visa on Arrival for Swiss Citizens

Swiss citizens are eligible for visa on arrival at Julius Nyerere (DAR), Kilimanjaro (JRO), and Zanzibar (ZNZ) airports, but the e-Visa pre-applied is far more comfortable.

Switzerland-Specific Travel Notes

Flights from Switzerland to Tanzania:

No direct non-stop flights operate between Switzerland and Tanzania. Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS/LX) does not operate Tanzania routes. Common connections for Swiss travellers:

• Amsterdam (AMS) with KLM from Zurich (ZRH) or Geneva (GVA) — KLM flies non-stop to Kilimanjaro (JRO) and Dar es Salaam (DAR); total journey ~14-16 hours
• Frankfurt (FRA) with Lufthansa from ZRH — then connecting via Nairobi or Addis Ababa
• Doha (DOH) with Qatar Airways from ZRH or GVA — onward to DAR, JRO, or ZNZ; ~16-18 hours total
• Dubai (DXB) with Emirates from ZRH — popular for Swiss travellers heading to Zanzibar; ~14-16 hours total
• Nairobi (NBO) via European hub — many Swiss travellers combine Kenya and Tanzania

Flight time from Zurich: Approximately 13-15 hours flying time; total journey 16-21 hours.

Currency context for Swiss travellers: Tanzania uses TZS (Tanzanian Shilling). Swiss Francs (CHF) are not accepted in Tanzania. USD is the de facto safari and tourism currency. Swiss travellers should either bring USD cash or use a card with no foreign transaction fees. Neon, Yuh, or Revolut (popular among Swiss users) offer competitive rates. Major safari operators price in USD; Zanzibar hotels may price in USD or TZS.

Tanzania e-Visa fee in Swiss francs: The fee is USD 50 (single entry). At a rate of approximately 0.91 CHF per USD, this equals roughly CHF 46. The exact CHF amount will depend on your card's exchange rate on the payment date.

Swiss travellers and Tanzania: Switzerland has a strong tradition of adventure travel, and Tanzania is a premium destination for Swiss tourists — Kilimanjaro climbing, Serengeti safaris, and Zanzibar beach stays are all well-represented in Swiss travel agencies' offerings. Swiss-quality standards at higher-end lodges make Tanzania accessible for quality-conscious Swiss travellers.

Frequently Asked Questions