Entry Requirements
Foreigners seeking to enter the United Republic of Tanzania should be in possession of a valid passport. The passport is to be presented to the Immigration Control Officer at any entry point: border station, airport, harbour. The passport must be presented along with one of the following:
- A valid visa
- A resident permit
- A pass
N.B: A visitor must also present an onward or return ticket together with proof that the visitor has sufficient funds to support himself or herself while in Tanzania.
The Purpose of a Visa
The visa is permission granted to a foreigner who intends to travel to Tanzania on business, for a holiday, to study or conduct research, or for other approved activities. When entering Tanzania, the visitor with a visa may then obtain from the immigration control officer, a pass or any other authority to enter the country.
Those Who Require Visa
All foreigners from non-Commonwealth countries are required to have a valid visa unless their countries have agreements with Tanzania under which the visa requirement is waived. Exemptions: Citizens of Commonwealth countries are not required to obtain visas unless they are citizens of the United Kingdom, Canada, Nigeria, or India.
Types of Visa
There are five types of visa valid for entry into Tanzania:
1.Ordinary Visa
An ordinary visa is issued at any Tanzanian mission abroad. It enables the holder to be granted a visitor’s pass at any entry point (border, airport, harbour). However, a person coming from a country where there is no Tanzanian mission or where it is reasonably distant shall be issued a visa at the entry point in Tanzania.
2. Business Visa
The business visa is issued to prospective investors who intend to visit Tanzania for such purposes as making feasibility studies, establishing professional and business contacts, and making arrangements for investments during the startup period. The validity of the visa can vary from one month to six months. The fees for the visa are determined administratively, so it is advised that prospective investors consult the appropriate authorities before making application for visas.
3. Multiple-Entry Visa
Foreigners who, because of their business or investments, need to make frequent visits to the United Republic of Tanzania are issued multiple-entry visas. Their validity ranges from one month to a year. Applications for multiple-entry visas are usually submitted by local contacts on behalf of the applicants. The fees for the visa are determined administratively; so-it is advised that prospective investors consult the appropriate authorities before making application for visas.
4. Referred Visa
The referred visa is one that requires special clearance or permission from the Director of Immigration Services in Dar es Salaam or the Principal Immigration Officer in Zanzibar. This type of visa is required for nationals of Lebanon, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Somalia and for Refugees, stateless people and other nationalities as may be specified from time to time by the authorities. People affected by this regulation may make enquiries at the nearest Tanzania mission abroad.
5. Transit Visa
A transit visa is a permission to cross Tanzania from one entry point to another and is for people whose purpose in entering Tanzania is simply to pass through without visiting. It is issued for a maximum of two weeks. There is no special clearance required for this visa except for those specified in Paragraph 4.4 above. The transit visa is issued only to people with onward tickets, sufficient funds for the crossing in Tanzania, and an entry visa for the country of destination (or any proof that prior arrangements have been made that satisfy this requirement).
Visa-issuing Stations and Authorities
Visas are issued by the following:
- The office of the Director of Immigration Services, Dar es Salaam, and the office of the Principal Immigration Officer, Zanzibar.Tanzanian representatives abroad.
- Entry points to the United Republic of Tanzania: principally Namanga, Tunduma, Sirari, Horohoro, Kigoma port, Dar es Salaam International Airport, Kilimanjaro International Airport, Zanzibar Harbour and Zanzibar Airport.
- Any other gazetted entry point.
The visitor’s pass is issued to a prospective visitor to the United Republic of Tanzania who satisfies the authorized officer that he or she wishes to enter Tanzania for any of the following purposes:
- Spending a holiday
- Traveling
- Answering a subpoena or summons to attend court
- Obtaining medical treatment by a registered medical practitioner
- Any other reason deemed sufficient
Re-Entry Passes
foreigner residing in Tanzania who intends to return to Tanzania within the period of two years should obtain a re-entry pass before departing Tanzania.