Quick answer: U.S. citizens need a visa to visit Tanzania. Under the reciprocal visa arrangement between the United States and Tanzania, U.S. tourists must apply for the $100 Multiple Entry Visa. The standard $50 single-entry tourist visa is not available to U.S. passport holders.
The visa may be valid for up to 12 months, but each stay is limited to 90 consecutive days.
Apply for an e-Visa before departure when possible. You can complete the visa process before your flight instead of handling it after you land, and the Tanzanian Embassy does not guarantee that a visa will be issued on arrival.
The same visa covers Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar. If Zanzibar is part of your trip, you must also obtain Zanzibar's mandatory inbound travel insurance before arrival.
Need Help With Your Application?
iVisa guides you through the form, reviews your uploaded documents, and submits the application to Tanzania Immigration.
iVisa is a private service and charges a service fee in addition to the $100 government visa fee. Prefer to complete the application without paid assistance? Apply directly through Tanzania Immigration.
Our role: U.S. Passport Service Guide is not a government agency. We explain the requirements and show you how to apply directly or use a paid service. We may earn a commission from sponsored links.
On This Page
- Tanzania entry requirements at a glance
- Rules to double-check before applying
- How to apply for a Tanzania e-Visa
- Tanzania visa on arrival and embassy applications
- Mainland Tanzania, Zanzibar, or both
- Other Tanzania entry requirements
- Frequently asked questions
Tanzania Entry Requirements at a Glance
| Requirement | What U.S. Travelers Need |
|---|---|
| Tourist visa | Required. Select the Multiple Entry Visa, even if you plan to enter only once. |
| Government fee | $100. The fee is non-refundable. |
| Visa validity | Up to 12 months from issuance. |
| Maximum stay | No more than 90 consecutive days per visit. |
| Passport validity | Your U.S. passport must be valid for at least 6 months when you apply and enter Tanzania. |
| Blank passport page | At least 1 unused visa page. |
| Return or onward travel | A return ticket or proof of onward travel is required for the application and may be requested at entry. |
| Passport sex marker | The U.S. State Department reports that Tanzania accepts passports with an "M" or "F" marker. Travelers with an "X" marker should contact the Tanzanian Embassy before booking. |
| Yellow fever | Not required for direct travel from the United States. The CDC reports that proof is required for travelers age 1 or older arriving from a yellow fever risk country, including an airport transit longer than 12 hours in a risk country. |
| Zanzibar insurance | Required for foreign visitors entering Zanzibar. This is separate from the Tanzania visa. |
Before You Apply, Double-Check These Rules
- U.S. tourists must select the $100 Multiple Entry Visa, even for a single trip.
- The visa may be valid for up to 12 months, but one stay cannot exceed 90 consecutive days.
- One Tanzania visa covers the mainland and Zanzibar. Zanzibar also requires separate inbound travel insurance.
- A visa on arrival may be requested, but issuance is not guaranteed.
- A tourist visa does not cover volunteer work, including unpaid work.
How to Apply for a Tanzania E-Visa
Apply online before departure when possible. That gives you a decision before you fly instead of requiring you to apply after you arrive.
Applying directly through Tanzania Immigration avoids a service fee. You choose the visa category, upload the documents, and monitor the application yourself. iVisa guides you through the form and reviews the documents. It then submits the application to Tanzania Immigration.
What to Prepare
- A recent passport-style digital photo.
- A clear copy of your passport's biographic information page.
- Your return ticket or other proof of onward travel.
- A payment method for the $100 government fee.
- Your lodging or local contact information.
Application Steps
- Complete the form. Enter your personal, passport, and travel information. Save the application ID so you can return to the application or check its status.
- Upload your documents. Add your passport photo, a clear copy of the passport information page, and your return or onward ticket.
- Choose the correct visa and pay. U.S. tourists must select the Multiple Entry Visa and pay the $100 government fee.
- Print the approval notice. Once the application is approved, print the Visa Grant Notice and carry it with your passport when you travel.
Check These Details Before You Submit
- You selected the Multiple Entry Visa for U.S. tourists.
- Your name and passport number match your passport exactly.
- Your passport information page and digital photo are clear and readable.
- Your return or onward ticket is included.
- You selected the location where you will first enter Tanzania.
- You saved your application ID before leaving the application.
When to apply: Tanzania Immigration says to submit the application at least 10 days before travel. We recommend applying 3 to 4 weeks before departure so you have time to fix an upload problem or respond if Immigration asks for more information.
Already applied? If you applied directly, use Tanzania Immigration's application status checker with your application ID. If you applied through iVisa, follow the updates sent through your iVisa account or email.
An approved Visa Grant Notice allows you to travel to Tanzania, but it does not guarantee admission. The immigration officer at the entry point makes the final decision.
Can U.S. Citizens Get a Tanzania Visa on Arrival?
Tanzania Immigration allows visitors to request a visa on arrival at an entry point. However, the Tanzanian Embassy in Washington warns that issuance on arrival is not guaranteed.
At the entry point, you will need to complete the required form, pay the visa fee, and present your passport and return or onward-travel evidence to immigration. Applying before departure avoids that extra step and gives you a decision before your trip.
If you use the visa-on-arrival process, bring your valid passport, return or onward ticket, and the $100 visa fee. Payment procedures can change, so confirm the current options with your airline or Tanzania Immigration before departure.
When to Contact the Tanzanian Embassy
Travelers who cannot complete the online application or need a visa category not covered by the tourist application should contact the Embassy of Tanzania before traveling. Consular applications may take considerably longer than an e-Visa.
Mainland Tanzania, Zanzibar, or Both?
| Your Itinerary | What You Need |
|---|---|
| Mainland Tanzania only | One Tanzania visa. Zanzibar insurance is not required if you do not enter Zanzibar. |
| Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar | One Tanzania visa plus Zanzibar inbound travel insurance. |
| Zanzibar only | One Tanzania visa plus Zanzibar inbound travel insurance. Select Zanzibar as your first entry location on the visa application. |
Do You Need a Separate Visa for Zanzibar?
No. One Tanzania visa covers both Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar. On the e-Visa form, choose the location you will enter first. You can travel between the mainland and Zanzibar without applying for another visa.
Foreign visitors entering Zanzibar must also obtain mandatory inbound travel insurance from the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation. The policy is separate from your visa and any private travel insurance you already carry. Save the insurance QR code so you can present it when requested.
Purchase or check Zanzibar inbound travel insurance on the official site.
Other Tanzania Entry Requirements
Yellow Fever Certificate
A yellow fever certificate is not required when you travel directly from the United States. According to the CDC's Tanzania guidance, it is required for travelers age 1 or older who arrive from a country with yellow fever transmission risk. The rule also applies when you spend more than 12 hours in an airport in a risk country during transit.
Tourist Visas Do Not Cover Work
A tourist visa does not authorize employment, professional assignments, internships, or volunteer work. That includes unpaid volunteer work. Review the business visa requirements and confirm the correct visa or permit with Tanzania Immigration before applying.
Each Traveler Needs an Application
Every passport holder needs a separate visa application, including children. A parent cannot add a child to the parent's e-Visa application.
Tanzania Visa Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. U.S. tourists must select the $100 Multiple Entry Visa even for one short trip.
No. Zanzibar's inbound travel insurance is a separate requirement for foreign visitors entering Zanzibar, even when you already have private travel insurance.
The U.S. State Department reports that Tanzania accepts passports with an "M" or "F" marker. Travelers with an "X" marker should contact the Tanzanian Embassy before booking travel.
No. A tourist visa does not authorize volunteer work, including unpaid volunteer work. Confirm the correct visa or permit with Tanzania Immigration before applying.
Yes. Tanzania Immigration requires a separate visa application for each passport holder, including children.
Apply With iVisa
iVisa can review your form and documents before submitting the application to Tanzania Immigration.
iVisa charges a service fee in addition to the government visa fee.
How we checked this page: We compared Tanzania Immigration's current visa and entry rules with U.S. State Department, CDC, and Zanzibar insurance guidance.
Last reviewed: July 29, 2026.
