If you have decided to visit Tanzania and thus take a trip to this beautiful location in Africa, you are probably also inquiring about all the bureaucratic aspects that can make your vacation peaceful and carefree. You should know, in fact, that in order to visit Tanzania you need to have a mandatory Tanzania visa, which as an entry visa is essential to enter the country, and can also be applied for online before departure.
Whether you want to explore the mainland or the paradise islands of Zanzibar, the process remains the same: a simplified procedure that allows you to obtain the document in just a few days. Let’s take a look at what the rules are, how a Tanzania visa can be applied for, what the costs are, and the turnaround time (also in reference to group travel).
Tanzania visa online: how to apply for it and basic rules
Fortunately, the entry visa for this country in Africa can be applied for and obtained directly online, and it is necessary whether you wish to visit this country as a tourist or if you are traveling for business or work. It is good to know that as of today it is not possible to apply for a visa at the Tanzanian Embassy in Rome, because it can only be obtained online through two official and authorized websites:
Government Portal (English language): https://visa.immigration.go.tz/ – in which must be requested at least ten days before departure, also taking into account possible delays especially on peak season days.
Honorary Consulate of Milan (Italian language): https://www.consolatotanzania.org/visti-online/ – available 24/7, including weekends and holidays, offering a simplified questionnaire and assistance in Italian.
It is good to know, in this regard, that the Consulate operates independently of the English-language processing agency, and in an emergency it can also release the documentation within 6 days of the request (although it does not respond to requests made at other unauthorized portals).
Beware of unauthorized portals: Please remember that all other portals, as non-government, are not authorized sites and therefore cannot be held accountable for any damage or scams to the traveler. If you wish to apply for a Tanzania visa safely, be sure to use only one of the two official channels listed above.
A basic rule is to respect the visa you have: it sometimes happens that someone thinks they are “being smart” and can use the tourist visa for other purposes, such as seeking employment in Tanzania.
Since each visa is classified in a specific category (and the documentation and rules required vary, depending on the purpose of travel) it is good to respect this classification and make regular applications.It sometimes happens that people are arrested or fined who are caught by the police in possession of visas that do not allow professional activities. Therefore, if there were purposes other than tourism, it is good to consult the Consulate website and obtain the necessary information before departure.
A final point concerns the International Health Insurance Certification, a mandatory document that must be stipulated before departure and must provide coverage for medical expenses and possible medical air repatriation (or transfer to another country) of the patient. Again, you can write to the Consulate email address for any additional information.
How much is a visa for Tanzania: costs and fees
The cost of the Tanzania visa is one of the most important factors to consider when planning your trip. According to official information from the Honorary Consulate of the Republic of Tanzania, the cost of a single visa is 50 euros, however, to which administrative fees must be added. For transfers from Italy the total cost is about 79 euros (50 euros government fee + 29 euros consular fee), while for transfers from abroad the cost rises to about 84 euros (including bank fees).
It is good that this should be emphasized, because very often in cases of documentation and visa applications (extended to other tourist locations as well) there is a risk of confusion. Since in addition to the two government channels that we have indicated, it is possible that there are also many third-party agencies that offer to make application, however, increasing the fees (which are usually commission costs and are variable, being able to reach up to 150-200 euros).
Types of visas and their costs:
- Single visa: €50 + administrative fee (validity 3 months, maximum stay 90 days)
- Dual entry visa: €70 + administrative fee (validity 6 months)
- Multiple visa: €100 + administrative fee (validity 12 months for US citizens)
- Business Visa: €250 + administrative fee
Regarding Zanzibar specifically, the cost of the Zanzibar visa is identical to that of mainland Tanzania, since Zanzibar is part of the United Republic of Tanzania. There is no separate visa for Zanzibar: the Tanzania visa applies to the entire country, including the islands of Zanzibar, Pemba and Unguja.
For all up-to-date and official information, therefore, it is advisable to always refer to the news that is released on the Consulate’s official website, where any cost changes or changes in procedures are communicated.
See also: costs Safari Tanzania.
Tanzania visa turnaround time: how long it takes
Tanzania visa turnaround times are variable, but it is always good to remember that the general advice is to move early, especially during high season periods when it is also possible for there to be some misunderstandings or delays.
In general, the estimated average delivery time is about 4-7 business days from the government portal, although the Consulate in Italian recommends a time frame of about 21 days as a maximum reference point, especially during busy tourist periods.
Factors that can cause delays:
- Incomplete applications or applications with incorrect data
- Documents uploaded in an unsuitable or unreadable format
- High volume of requests during tourist seasons (June to October and during holidays)
- Technical problems with the request platform
- Failure to pay or problems with credit card transaction
- Information absent or inconsistent with uploaded documents
Those with particular urgency (this is the case, for example, with so-called last-minute departures, which in many cases do not have 10 days’ notice, which is the minimum accepted for online visa applications) can apply uniquely at the airport upon landing or at the Tanzanian port of entry (or in Zanzibar) upon arrival, on their own responsibility. However, this option carries more risk and may not guarantee approval; it is always preferable to apply for the visa in advance.
Tip to avoid delays: It is recommended that the Tanzania visa application be submitted at least 4 weeks before the departure date, especially if travel is planned during peak tourist season periods (December-January, June-August).
Tourist visa for Tanzania: documents needed for application
Not all visas are the same: in fact, depending on the length of stay and the purpose for which one is entering Tanzania, the required documentation, type and validity of the visa may also vary.
Therefore, with regard to the tourist visa for Tanzania specifically, this is part of the so-called A1 category, which includes travel made for the purpose of vacation and leisure activities, and therefore is the standard category for those wishing to visit Tanzania for tourist purposes.
Documentation required for Tanzania tourist visa:
- Valid passport: scanned copy of biographical data page (.jpg format, maximum weight 300 KB). The passport must have a remaining validity of at least 6 months from the date of entry into Tanzania and at least 2 free pages for entry/exit stamps.
- Travel schedule: indication of the main cities or areas you will be visiting
- Personal contact information: email address, phone number, residential address
- Passport data: passport number, date of issue and expiration
- Passport photo: color photo maximum 6 months old with neutral expression (format .jpg, maximum weight 300 KB)
- Return air ticket: PDF copy of the connecting ticket to the country of origin or other destination (.pdf format, maximum weight 1000 KB)
- Certification of payment: proof of payment by credit card or wire transfer (.pdf format)
A passport is required to obtain a visa and, in any case, it must have a residual validity of at least 6 months: if not, it is best to contact the Embassy or Consulate directly for more direct and specific information on what to do.
Recommended (though not required) documents:
- Hotel reservation or invitation letter from your host
- Bank statement showing financial readiness
- Yellow fever vaccination certificate (if required by your country)
Regarding any vaccinations, it should be remembered that none are mandatory for those arriving from Europe, but as a complete precaution, malaria prophylaxis is officially recommended. Consult your doctor before departure to assess whether this precaution is suitable for you.
As for yellow fever vaccination, on the other hand, it is only required for those who have been in an at-risk country for more than 12 hours (and thus is not required for those, for example, who have been in the airport for a few hours to change aircraft).
The most common advice given to those thinking of visiting Tanzania is to refer to their doctor of choice, adhering to the most common hygiene precepts, such as keeping hands clean at all times, and drinking only bottled water.
Visa for Zanzibar: specific information
Although technically the Zanzibar visa does not exist as a separate document because Zanzibar is part of Tanzania, it is important to know that the procedure for obtaining the visa remains identical to that described for mainland Tanzania. The Tanzania tourist visa is valid for the entire country, including the islands of Zanzibar, and no additional documents are required to visit the archipelago.
However, some foreign tour operators offer“Zanzibar visa” application services as a business name, even though technically the official document is the Tanzania visa. Always remember to refer to official channels to avoid confusion or unnecessary additional costs.
What to do if you are in a group
If you are in a group, the procedure can be somewhat facilitated, although the rules are the same as for individual requests.
In fact, in this case, you can only make specific requests if you are in a group of at least 10 travelers by emailing gruppi@consolatotanzania.org, which can provide all the documentation and simplified forms. Consulate officials will be able to guide you through an expedited and potentially more cost-effective process than individual requests, depending on the size and specific needs of your group.
See also Group safari promos.
