Visa & Entry Requirements for Tanzania
Visa, health and entry rules can change at any time without notice. Always confirm current requirements on the official Tanzania immigration portal and your home country's foreign ministry travel advisory before booking flights.
Visa options for Tanzania
There are two ways to obtain your Tanzania visa. Both are valid, though applying online in advance is the recommended option to avoid delays at the border.
eVisa
RecommendedApply online before you travel. This is the fastest and most reliable way to avoid queues at the airport.
Only use this domain. Several third-party websites mimic the official government portal and charge fees that are not required. The .go.tz domain is the only official source.
Visa on Arrival
Visa on arrival remains available at major entry points for eligible nationalities, which includes travelers from Italy, Spain, France, Germany, the Netherlands and the UK. Officials still recommend applying online in advance, as on-arrival processing can involve long queues, especially in peak season (June to October).
Yellow fever certificates are checked here, if applicable to your trip.
Lines can be long during peak season (June to October), so allow extra time.
Complete a short form with your personal and travel details.
Taken on the spot — no need to bring your own photo for this process.
Pay at the next counter while your visa is processed.
Your visa is valid for 90 days (Ordinary Visa) or up to 1 year (Multiple Entry Visa), depending on the type you applied for.
Verify current fees at immigration.go.tz before travel. One visa covers both mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar — no separate visa is needed.
What you need to apply
For the eVisa — applied online in advance.
Health requirements
Most European visitors don't need any special vaccinations to enter Tanzania. The requirements below are organised by what's actually required, what's recommended, and what's situational — so you can quickly see what applies to your trip.
Health requirements and recommendations can change, and individual medical needs vary. Always confirm current requirements with the official Tanzania immigration portal, and speak with your doctor or a travel health clinic before your trip for advice specific to you. This page does not constitute medical advice.
Most travelers flying directly from Europe do not need this. It is only required if you are arriving from, or have transited for more than 12 hours through, a country with risk of yellow fever transmission.
The certificate is only valid starting 10 days after vaccination, and remains valid for life.
Check the WHO list of yellow fever risk countriesIf your trip includes Zanzibar, a travel insurance policy is mandatory and must be arranged through Zanzibar's official insurance portal. This is a separate, compulsory local policy — international travel insurance does not replace it.
Malaria is present in most parts of mainland Tanzania. There is no vaccine, but anti-malarial medication significantly reduces risk. Speak with your doctor or a travel clinic about the right option for you, and pack mosquito repellent for early morning and evening game drives.
Comprehensive travel insurance covering medical treatment and emergency evacuation is strongly recommended for any safari trip, given the remote nature of many of the parks.
It's worth checking that your routine vaccinations — tetanus, hepatitis A and B — are up to date before any international trip. These aren't Tanzania-specific requirements, just good general practice.
Only relevant if you anticipate close contact with animals beyond a standard safari vehicle experience — for example, certain volunteer or research-based trips.
Typhoid is contracted through contaminated food and water. Standard food and water precautions during your safari significantly reduce risk; vaccination is a personal choice to discuss with your doctor if you'd like extra protection.
Entry requirements by country
Visa and health requirements are the same for all eligible nationalities, but it's worth checking your own government's current travel advisory for Tanzania before you go, as this reflects any specific guidance or alerts for your country.
Links to each country's foreign ministry travel advisory page for Tanzania to be sourced and added before launch.
Practical tips for arrival
Frequently asked questions
Can I still get a visa on arrival, or do I need to apply online first?
Visa on arrival is still available for eligible nationalities, including travelers from Italy, Spain, France, Germany, the Netherlands and the UK. That said, applying for the eVisa in advance is recommended, since it avoids queues at the airport, especially during peak season.
How far in advance should I apply for my eVisa?
Standard processing takes around 10 business days. We recommend applying at least 3 to 4 weeks before your trip to allow a safety buffer.
Does my baby or child need a visa too?
Yes. Every passport holder needs their own visa, including infants and children. There is no exemption by age.
Do I need a separate visa for Zanzibar?
No. One Tanzania visa covers both the mainland and Zanzibar.
Can I pay for my visa or other fees by card, or withdraw cash locally?
No to both. Bring enough US dollars in cash with you. Card payments aren't reliably accepted at entry points, and you can't count on withdrawing cash on arrival. Plan your cash needs before you travel, or apply for your eVisa online in advance to reduce how much cash you need to carry.
Can I pay in euros instead of US dollars?
You can in some cases, but euros are often treated at a flat 1:1 rate with US dollars regardless of the actual exchange rate, and no change is given. A €50 note is treated the same as $50, which means you lose value. Bringing US dollars is the safer option.
What photo do I need for my visa application?
If you're applying online for your eVisa, you'll need to upload a recent colour photo — plain background, full face visible, no head covering unless for religious reasons, under 500KB, in JPG or JPEG format. If you're getting your visa on arrival in person, no photo upload is needed — it's taken for you at the border.
Is travel insurance mandatory for Tanzania?
Travel insurance isn't mandatory for mainland Tanzania, but it's strongly recommended. If your trip includes Zanzibar, a local travel insurance policy is mandatory.
Once the paperwork is sorted, it's all about the safari itself
If anything on this page is unclear, or you'd rather just talk it through with someone, our team is happy to help.
Contact Our TeamQuestions about visas or entry?
Our team is familiar with the full process for European travelers. If something here is unclear, just ask.
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