Tanzania Visa for US & UK Citizens: The 2026 Guide
By Karlis A. from GetSafariTours
Visa Quick Summary
Key Info
- US Citizens - US$ 100
- All other passports - US$ 50
- Only use official website for e-Visa
visa.immigration.go.tz
The number one anxiety for my clients isn't lions or malaria. It's the Tanzania Immigration website crashing while they try to upload a PDF.
Let’s cut through the noise. If you are from the US or the UK, you need a visa to enter Tanzania. The rules differ slightly by nationality, and the "official" advice often contradicts the reality on the ground at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO).
Here is exactly how to handle your entry documents without getting scammed or stuck in a three-hour queue.
Do US and UK Citizens Need a Visa for Tanzania?
Yes, both US and UK citizens require a visa, but the cost and type differ: US citizens pay $100 for a multi-entry visa, while UK/EU citizens pay $50 for a single-entry visa.
The Tanzanian government sets different visa classes based on reciprocity agreements.
- US Citizens: You are required to purchase a Multi-Entry Visa. The cost is $100. You cannot opt for the cheaper single-entry option. It is valid for 12 months and allows you to enter and exit multiple times (useful if you are combining Tanzania with Kenya or Rwanda).
- UK & EU Citizens: You are eligible for a Single-Entry Tourist Visa. The cost is $50. It is valid for 90 days.
Do not try to "game" the system. Immigration officers check passports strictly. If you are American and apply for the $50 visa, you will be denied and forced to pay the full $100 again on arrival.
The Specialist's Secret:
- If you hold dual citizenship (e.g., US and UK), enter Tanzania on your UK passport. That saves you $50 per person on the visa fee. Just use the same passport for your flight booking and visa application.
The Curator's Advantage DIY travelers often panic when the online portal rejects their photo for being 2MB instead of 300KB, or when the payment gateway times out. When you book a curated safari, we provide a proprietary "Visa Cheat Sheet" that details exactly how to format your files, which browser to use, and who to call if the system freezes. We can't apply for you, but we stop you from making expensive mistakes.
Read also: Tanzania Safari Costs Breakdown
Online e-Visa vs. Visa on Arrival: Which is Better?
The e-Visa is safer for peace of mind, but Visa on Arrival is often faster if you have the correct cash.
The government pushes the online e-Visa system aggressively. But the infrastructure at airports like Kilimanjaro (JRO) and Dar es Salaam (DAR) has created a paradox.
Factor | Online e-Visa | Visa on Arrival |
|---|---|---|
Best for | Anxious travelers, peace of mind | Travelers comfortable with airport logistics |
Wait at airport | Often 90+ min in the "fast track" e-Visa queue | 20–30 min if cash and documents are ready |
Required before flight | Approved e-Visa PDF; 3–4 weeks lead time | Nothing; paperwork done on arrival |
Payment method | Card via official portal | USD cash only ("Series 2009" bills or newer) |
Cost (US citizen) | $100 multi-entry | $100 multi-entry |
Cost (UK/EU citizen) | $50 single-entry | $50 single-entry |
Main risk | Portal rejects your photo or times out | Card machine broken; older bills refused |
My Verdict for 2026: Apply online if you are anxious. Do it on arrival if you are comfortable with travel logistics and want to gamble on a faster queue.
The Specialist's Secret:
- If you apply on arrival, you must pay in USD. Cash rule: Tanzania does not accept US dollar bills printed before 2009. Your $100 or $50 bills must be "Series 2009" or newer, with no tears or ink marks. Older bills get rejected flat-out.
Read also: Is Tanzania Safe? The Honest 2026 Guide for Tourists & Families
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The Official Application Link & Avoiding Scams
The only official website is visa.immigration.go.tz. Do not use any site appearing in Google Ads.
There are dozens of "visa agency" websites that look official but charge $150–$200 for the same $100 visa. They simply take your data, apply on the real site, and pocket the difference.
How to Apply for the Tanzania e-Visa
Step-by-step procedure for applying online at the official Tanzania Immigration portal — where to go, when to submit, which files to upload, and how long processing takes.
- 1
Visit the official portal
Go to https://visa.immigration.go.tz/. This is the only official site — every other lookalike domain is a paid agency reselling the same visa.
- 2
Time your application
Apply 3–4 weeks before travel. Do not apply 6 months early; the system often archives old applications, causing retrieval issues at the border.
- 3
Prepare your documents
Upload three files:
- Passport bio page (JPG/PNG, max 300KB).
- Passport-style photo (JPG/PNG, max 300KB).
- Return flight ticket (PDF, max 1MB).
Resize each file before you start the application — the portal times out on oversized uploads.
- 4
Wait for processing
The official timeline is "up to 10 days." In reality, it can take 3 days or 3 weeks. Apply with enough buffer that your approved e-Visa PDF arrives before your departure date.
If you are traveling with minors, you may be asked to upload a consent letter if only one parent is traveling.
- The Specialist's Secret:
- The application asks for a "Host" in Tanzania. Do not write "N/A." Use the name and address of your first hotel, or your safari operator's office in Arusha. Immigration needs a physical location for your first night.
Read also: Tanzania Safari Packing List
Referral Visas: Who Needs Special Clearance?
Citizens of specific countries (e.g., Lebanon, Pakistan, Nigeria) cannot get a visa on arrival and must wait 2 months for a Referral Visa.
This likely does not apply to the average US/UK tourist, but if you are traveling with friends or family holding passports from countries on the Referral Visa List, do not just book a flight.
They require permission from the Commissioner General of Immigration in Dar es Salaam. This process takes a minimum of 6 weeks. If they arrive at the airport without this document, they will be deported immediately.
The Specialist’s Secret:
- Stateless persons and refugees holding "Travel Documents" instead of standard passports also fall into this category. Check your document type carefully.
Read also: How to Plan the Perfect Tanzania Safari
Tanzania Visa FAQs
Yes. US citizens must purchase a Multi-Entry Visa for $100 to enter Tanzania. The single-entry $50 visa is not available to American passport holders. The visa is valid for 12 months and allows multiple entries — useful if you are combining Tanzania with Kenya or Rwanda.
Yes. UK citizens are eligible for a Single-Entry Tourist Visa for $50, valid for 90 days. EU passport holders pay the same $50 fee.
$100 for a Multi-Entry Visa, valid for 12 months. US citizens cannot opt for the cheaper single-entry option due to reciprocity rules between the two countries.
$50 for a Single-Entry Tourist Visa, valid for 90 days. The same $50 fee applies to most EU passport holders.
The official timeline is up to 10 days, but in practice it can take anywhere from 3 days to 3 weeks. Apply 3–4 weeks before travel to leave a buffer. Avoid applying more than 6 months early — the system can archive old applications and cause retrieval issues at the border.
Yes. US and UK citizens can still obtain a visa on arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) and Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam (DAR). You must pay in USD cash, and bills must be "Series 2009" or newer with no tears or ink marks. Older bills are rejected.
The only official portal is visa.immigration.go.tz, operated by Tanzania Immigration Services. Avoid lookalike sites that appear in Google Ads — they often charge $150–$200 for the same $100 visa, simply applying through the real portal on your behalf.
Three files are required:
- Passport bio page (JPG/PNG, max 300KB)
- Passport-style photo (JPG/PNG, max 300KB)
- Return flight ticket (PDF, max 1MB)
Resize files to meet the size limits before starting the application, or the portal will time out.
Summary: How to Decide in 3 Steps
- Check Your Passport: US Citizens pay $100 (Multi-entry). UK/EU pay $50 (Single-entry). Ensure your passport is valid for 6 months past your return date.
- Choose Your Method:
- Anxious Traveler? Apply online at
visa.immigration.go.tz30 days before your trip. - Efficient Traveler? Bring crisp, post-2009 USD cash and apply on arrival at JRO/DAR.
- Anxious Traveler? Apply online at
- Prepare the Files: If applying online, resize your passport photo and bio page to under 300KB before you start the application to avoid timeouts.
Getting into Tanzania is just the first hurdle. The real work is an itinerary that doesn't waste your time once you've landed.
Read also: Best Tanzania Safari Companies
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