Short answer: most visitors need a visa for Tanzania. You can apply online through the official eVisa portal before you fly, or get one on arrival at designated entry points such as Kilimanjaro International Airport and Zanzibar. The ordinary tourist visa costs US$50. US citizens pay US$100 for a multiple-entry visa valid for 12 months. From 1 October 2026 every foreign visitor also needs Tanzania's mandatory inbound travel insurance (US$44), on top of the visa.
Tanzania visa fees in 2026
These are the fees in the Tanzanian Embassy in Washington's published fee schedule. Fees can change, so check the official portal before you pay.
| Passport | Visa | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Most passports, including UK, Canada, Australia and the EU (not Ireland) | Ordinary visa, single entry | US$50 |
| United States | Multiple entry, valid 12 months | US$100 |
| Ireland | Ordinary visa | US$100 |
| Any (passing through) | Transit visa | US$30 |
Citizens of several East African and SADC countries don't need a visa at all. If you hold one of those passports, confirm with the Tanzanian mission in your country before you travel.
eVisa or visa on arrival: which should you choose?
Both are legal routes in. We tell our guests to apply for the eVisa before departure, for three reasons:
- You land with the visa already approved, so there's no queue at the visa desk after a long flight.
- Airline check-in staff sometimes ask for proof of a visa, and an approval letter settles that.
- Officers at the airport decide on-arrival visas case by case, and US travellers have reported confusion over which fee applies to them.
Apply only on the government portal (visa.immigration.go.tz). Plenty of look-alike sites charge extra "service fees" for the same form. Allow at least two weeks before your flight. The embassy offers a paid rush option that takes three working days.
If you do plan to get your visa on arrival, carry the fee in US dollars cash, in case card payment isn't working at the desk.
Tanzania visa for US citizens
American passport holders can't buy the US$50 single-entry visa. The only tourist option is the US$100 multiple-entry visa, valid for 12 months. Each stay can last up to 90 days. That suits a common trip shape: you can fly out to Zanzibar or cross into Kenya and come back without paying again. On the eVisa form, choose the multiple-entry visa even if you'll only enter once.
New for 2026: mandatory travel insurance
From 1 October 2026, every foreign visitor to mainland Tanzania must hold the government's inbound travel insurance from the National Insurance Corporation (NIC). It costs US$44, covers medical emergencies, and is valid for up to 92 days. Zanzibar has required its own version from the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation (ZIC) since October 2024.
- You buy one policy, from the insurer for your first point of entry. Fly into Kilimanjaro or Dar es Salaam and you buy NIC. Fly straight into Zanzibar and you buy ZIC.
- Your own travel insurance does not replace it. You still need both.
- Residents of EAC and SADC countries are exempt.
- Buy it online before you fly: inbound.nicinsurance.co.tz for the mainland, inbound.visitzanzibar.go.tz for Zanzibar. Officials can refuse entry without it.
The government cover is basic. It won't pay for trip cancellation or a helicopter off Kilimanjaro, so keep a full policy as well. Our travel insurance guide covers what to look for.
Zanzibar visa on arrival: do you need a separate visa?
No. Zanzibar is part of the United Republic of Tanzania, so one Tanzanian visa, whether an eVisa or a visa on arrival, covers the mainland and the islands. You will still show your passport when you land in Zanzibar, even on a domestic flight from Arusha, and the insurance rule above applies there too.
Documents to have ready
- A passport valid for at least six months after you enter, with blank pages for stamps
- Your eVisa approval, printed and saved on your phone
- A return or onward flight ticket
- Your safari confirmation or first hotel booking
- Proof of the mandatory inbound insurance
- A yellow fever certificate, but only if you're arriving from, or transiting through, a country with yellow fever risk, such as Kenya. See our health and vaccinations guide.
Frequently asked questions
Can I still get a Tanzania visa on arrival?
Yes. The Tanzanian Embassy states that visas are issued at designated entry points as well as online. Applying for the eVisa in advance is still the more predictable choice.
How much is the Tanzania visa on arrival?
The same as the eVisa: US$50 for most nationalities and US$100 for US and Irish citizens.
How long can I stay on a tourist visa?
Up to 90 days per visit. The US multiple-entry visa allows repeated stays of up to 90 days within its 12 months.
Does the East Africa Tourist Visa cover Tanzania?
No. The East Africa Tourist Visa covers Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda only. For a Kenya and Tanzania trip you need a visa for each country.