Paid as the Tanzanian-shilling equivalent per visitor.
Prepare your documents with confidence
Tanzania Visa & Entry Requirements
Your passport, purpose and first point of entry decide which rules apply. From 1 October 2026, most foreign visitors also need the official inbound travel insurance.
Passport validityAt least six months
Inbound insuranceUSD 44 · up to 92 days
Travel evidenceReturn or onward ticket
Three questions first
Nationality. Purpose. Route.
Tanzania does not apply one visa rule to every traveler. The passport you use determines whether you are visa-exempt, eligible for a regular visa, or in a referral category. Your first point of entry determines whether the required inbound cover is issued through NIC for Mainland Tanzania or ZIC for Zanzibar.
This guide focuses on holidays and tourism. Business, study, volunteering, research and employment require different permission—do not use a tourist visa for work.
Mandatory from 1 October 2026
Inbound insurance is now part of entry
Most foreign visitors entering Mainland Tanzania by air, land or sea must hold the government-designated NIC policy. It is separate from a visa and from any private travel policy you already hold.
Including multiple entries within the policy period.
Medical emergency, evacuation or repatriation, and lost luggage—subject to policy terms.
NIC says residents of Partner States are excluded; confirm your status before travel.
Arrange it before departure
Four practical steps
- 01Use the official provider
Choose NIC when Mainland Tanzania is your first entry point, or ZIC when you enter through Zanzibar first.
- 02Enter your journey details
Have your passport information, travel dates, purpose of visit and basic personal details ready.
- 03Pay and download the certificate
NIC accepts online debit or credit card payment. Purchase at an entry point may be available, but advance purchase helps avoid delays.
- 04Carry two copies
Keep the certificate on your phone and as a printed copy for check-in and arrival verification.
Buy through NIC
Use the National Insurance Corporation portal when you first enter through Kilimanjaro, Dar es Salaam, a Mainland land border or another Mainland port.
Open NIC portalBuy through ZIC
Use the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation portal when Zanzibar is your first point of entry into the United Republic of Tanzania.
Open ZIC portalKeep comprehensive private travel insurance too. The mandatory inbound policy has defined benefits, limits and exclusions; it should not be treated as a replacement for broader trip-cancellation, medical or activity cover suited to your journey.
Find your category
Which visa path applies?
Do not guess from another traveler's experience. Check the category published for the exact passport you will present at the border.
Official list says
Visa exempt
You do not apply for a tourist visa, but you must still meet entry conditions and carry the required travel documents.
Official list allows
Regular visa
Eligible travelers can generally use the official eVisa platform; some nationalities may also use visa on arrival at designated entry points.
Official list identifies
Referral visa
Apply online well in advance, provide requested host or invitation details, and wait for approval before beginning your journey.
Not sure? The official list is the authority and may change. Africano Paraiso can help with itinerary details, but only Immigration can determine your visa category or grant entry.
Check my passport categoryRecommended by Immigration
Apply through the official eVisa portal
- 01
Confirm the correct visa
Check nationality, purpose and the supporting documents for your category.
- 02
Complete the application
Enter details exactly as shown in your passport and upload the requested files.
- 03
Pay and save the application ID
The portal accepts Visa or Mastercard for online payment. Fees are non-refundable.
- 04
Wait for the grant notice
Track the application online and do not begin travel before approval if you have applied online.
Published government fees
Common visa fees
Fees are shown in US dollars and may change. Confirm the amount and correct visa type on Tanzania Immigration immediately before applying.
| Visa type | Published fee | Tourist-use note |
|---|---|---|
| 01Ordinary visa | USD 50 | Single-entry tourism visa with validity of up to 90 days for eligible nationalities. |
| 02Multiple-entry visa | USD 100 | Required for United States passport holders visiting for tourism; each consecutive stay is limited to 90 days. |
| 03Transit visa | USD 30 | For transit to another country, up to seven days. It is not a tourist visa. |
| 04Business visa | USD 250 | For qualifying short business activities—not a substitute for employment permission. |
Prepare before you apply
Your document checklist
Exact attachments depend on visa type. These are the core items highlighted in Tanzania's tourist-visa and entry guidance.
- 01
Valid passport
At least six months' validity and at least one unused visa page.
- 02
Passport bio-page scan
A clear copy of the page showing your photo and personal details.
- 03
Recent passport photo
A color image meeting the file, background and size rules shown by the portal.
- 04
Return or onward ticket
Immigration guidance requires visitors to show evidence of onward travel.
- 05
First accommodation
Keep the property name, address and local contact details available.
- 06
Inbound insurance certificate
Eligible visitors should carry the NIC or ZIC certificate digitally and on paper for arrival verification.
- 07
Grant notice and application ID
Save both digitally and on paper so you can track and present the application.
At the border
A visa is not the final entry decision
The Immigration Officer at the entry point has final authority. Keep your documents easy to reach and answer arrival questions clearly.
Passport and visa
Present the passport used in your application and your visa or grant notice where required.
Insurance certificate
Eligible visitors should present the NIC or ZIC inbound insurance certificate when requested.
Return travel
Be prepared to show a return ticket or evidence of onward travel arrangements.
Trip support
Immigration may ask for accommodation details or evidence of funds for your stay.
Clear answers, careful caveats
Visa questions travelers ask
Do I need a visa to visit Tanzania?
It depends on the passport you travel with. Tanzania publishes visa-exempt, regular visa and referral-visa categories. Check the current Tanzania Immigration guidelines before booking or applying.
Should I use the eVisa or get a visa on arrival?
Tanzania Immigration recommends its official online visa platform. Visa on arrival is available only to eligible nationalities at official entry points, so confirm your category before departure.
How early should I apply?
Official terms advise regular applicants to lodge an online application at least ten days before travel. Referral-category applicants are advised to apply at least two months before travel and wait for approval before beginning the journey.
What applies to United States passport holders?
Tanzania Immigration states that United States passport holders visiting for tourism should apply for a multiple-entry visa. The published fee is USD 100, with a maximum consecutive stay of 90 days.
What is a referral visa?
Some nationalities fall under Tanzania's referral category. Those applicants must apply online in advance, provide requested host or invitation information and wait for approval before traveling.
Is inbound travel insurance mandatory for Mainland Tanzania?
Yes, for most foreign visitors from 1 October 2026. The rule applies at Mainland airports, land borders and seaports. NIC states that residents of EAC or SADC Partner States are excluded, so confirm whether the exemption applies to your residence status.
How much is the policy and how long does it last?
The premium is the Tanzanian-shilling equivalent of USD 44 per person. It is valid for up to 92 days and multiple entries within the dates shown on the policy certificate.
Does my existing private travel insurance replace the NIC policy?
No. Where the rule applies, the government-designated inbound policy is a separate entry requirement. Keep your comprehensive private cover as well because the mandatory policy has its own limits and exclusions.
Which portal should I use for a Mainland and Zanzibar trip?
Use NIC if Mainland Tanzania is your first entry point, or ZIC if Zanzibar is your first entry point. NIC's current guidance says that valid first-entry cover can then continue across the United Republic without a second mandatory policy, subject to the applicable terms. Keep the certificate accessible and verify the latest guidance before departure.
We help with the itinerary details
Need your first-stay address or local contact?
Once your journey is confirmed, our Arusha team can provide the itinerary and accommodation details needed for your travel paperwork. Immigration remains the authority on visa eligibility and approval.