Tanzania offers four main e-Visa types through its official Immigration portal. Most travelers need the Tourist Single Entry e-Visa at $50 USD, but your specific itinerary may require a different category. This guide explains each visa type, who it is for, and how to choose.
Overview of Tanzania Visa Types
| Visa Type | Fee | Stay | Who It's For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tourist Single Entry | $50 USD | Up to 90 days | Standard tourism, safari, beach holidays |
| Tourist Multiple Entry | $100 USD | 90 days per entry | Multi-country East Africa itineraries |
| Business e-Visa | $250 USD | Up to 90 days | Commercial activities, meetings, conferences |
| Transit e-Visa | $30 USD | Up to 7 days | Passing through Tanzania to a third country |
There is also a visa on arrival option ($50 USD, same categories) for travelers who have not applied in advance, and a separate diplomatic/official visa category for government representatives.
1. Tourist Single Entry e-Visa — $50 USD
The tourist single entry e-Visa is the right choice for the vast majority of international visitors to Tanzania.
Valid for:
- Wildlife safaris (Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire, Ruaha)
- Kilimanjaro or other mountain trekking
- Zanzibar beach holidays
- Cultural tourism and historical site visits
- Visiting friends or family in Tanzania
- Short-term volunteer work (humanitarian, not commercial)
- Medical tourism (short-term health treatment)
Key details:
- Maximum stay: 90 days per entry
- Single entry: once you leave Tanzania, the visa is used and cannot be re-entered
- Validity: 90 days from the issue date (you must enter Tanzania within this window)
- Fee: $50 USD (non-refundable)
Choose this if: You are making one trip to Tanzania and not crossing into neighboring countries and returning.
2. Tourist Multiple Entry e-Visa — $100 USD
The multiple entry tourist e-Visa allows you to enter and exit Tanzania multiple times over a 12-month period.
Valid for: Same activities as single entry, but for travelers who:
- Are combining Tanzania with Kenya, Uganda, or Rwanda on the same trip
- Plan to cross into Kenya (Masai Mara) from Tanzania (Serengeti) and return
- Intend to make multiple separate Tanzania trips within 12 months
- Are on an East Africa circuit
Key details:
- Maximum stay: 90 days per entry
- Valid for: 12 months from issue date
- Re-entries: Unlimited within the validity period
- Fee: $100 USD (non-refundable)
Choose this if: Your itinerary involves leaving Tanzania and re-entering — e.g., a classic Tanzania/Kenya wildlife circuit, or if you are a frequent visitor.
Important: If you plan to use the East Africa Tourist Visa (covering Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda), that is a separate product — see East Africa tourist visa guide.
3. Business e-Visa — $250 USD
The Tanzania business e-Visa covers commercial, professional, and business activities.
Valid for:
- Attending business meetings, negotiations, or conferences
- Commercial trade activities
- Signing contracts
- Conducting market research or feasibility studies
- Attending trade fairs or exhibitions
- Short-term professional assignments or consultancy
- NOT for taking up paid employment in Tanzania (different visa category)
Required additional documents:
- Invitation letter from a registered Tanzanian company (on letterhead, signed by an authorized signatory)
- Certificate of Incorporation of the Tanzanian host company
- Copy of the host's passport or national ID
- Letter from your employer confirming the purpose of travel
- Round-trip flight reservation
Key details:
- Maximum stay: 90 days
- Fee: $250 USD (non-refundable)
- Issued as single entry
Choose this if: Your primary purpose of travel is commercial, professional, or business-related.
4. Transit e-Visa — $30 USD
The Tanzania transit e-Visa is for travelers passing through Tanzania on the way to a third country who need to leave the airport and spend time in Tanzania.
Airside transit (no visa required): If you are connecting on the same ticket at Julius Nyerere, Kilimanjaro, or Zanzibar airports without leaving the international terminal, you typically do not need a transit visa. Verify this based on your nationality.
Transit visa required: If you need to leave the airport — e.g., overnight stopover in Dar es Salaam before a next-day connecting flight — you need a transit visa.
Key details:
- Maximum stay: 7 days
- Must have valid visa for the destination country (if applicable)
- Fee: $30 USD (non-refundable)
Choose this if: You have a multi-day layover in Tanzania and need to leave the airport.
Visa on Arrival (No e-Visa Application)
If you have not applied for an e-Visa before travel, Tanzania also offers visa on arrival at major international airports:
- Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR) — Dar es Salaam
- Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO)
- Zanzibar International Airport (ZNZ)
Same categories and fees apply, but payment is cash USD only. Queues can be long during peak periods. See Tanzania visa on arrival.
Which Tanzania Visa Do I Need?
| Your Situation | Recommended Visa |
|---|---|
| Safari in Serengeti | Tourist Single Entry ($50) |
| Zanzibar beach + Dar es Salaam | Tourist Single Entry ($50) |
| Kilimanjaro trek only | Tourist Single Entry ($50) |
| Tanzania + Kenya (Masai Mara) | Tourist Multiple Entry ($100) |
| East Africa circuit | Tourist Multiple Entry ($100) |
| Business meetings in Dar es Salaam | Business e-Visa ($250) |
| Attending a conference in Arusha | Business e-Visa ($250) |
| Multi-day layover in Dar es Salaam | Transit e-Visa ($30) |
Tanzania Visa Types: What Is NOT Available
- Working visa / Work permit: Employment in Tanzania requires a work permit, not an e-Visa
- Student visa: Long-term study requires a student visa from the Tanzanian embassy
- Residence permit: For long-term residence, a Class B or C residence permit is required
- Journalist visa: Working journalists may need a separate category
- Volunteer/NGO visa: Long-term volunteer work may require a specific class of permit
Frequently Asked Questions
Related guides: Requirements | Fees | Processing Time