Tanzania Visa Policy

Tanzania has a set of policies to conduct its visa system to make the trip for foreigners efficient and pleasing while also ensuring the safety and security of Tanzania. Tanzania has specific visa requirements for different categories of visitors. The following information is based on the most current information available and is subject to change. It is recommended that you check with the Embassy of Tanzania for the most up-to-date information. Here requirements for various sorts of visas are mentioned as follows:

Tanzania Visa requirements for tourists:

Tourists traveling to Tanzania need to obtain a visa before traveling. Visas can be acquired from a Tanzanian embassy or consulate in your home country or upon arrival at certain points of entry in Tanzania, such as Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam or Kilimanjaro International Airport. It is important that you obtain your visa beforehand to travel to Tanzania. Tourist visas are valid for a stay of up to three months. If you wish to stay longer, you can apply for an Tanzania extension visa at the Immigration Department in Dar es Salaam.

Tanzania Visa requirements for business travelers:

Business travelers to Tanzania need to obtain a business visa before traveling. Tanzania Business visas are valid for a stay of up to three months and can be extended for up to one year. To apply for a business visa, you will need an invitation letter from a Tanzanian company and a letter from your employer stating the purpose of your visit.

Tanzania Visa requirements for students:

Students who wish to study in Tanzania for more than three months need to obtain a student visa. To apply for a Tanzania student visa, you will need a letter of acceptance from a recognized educational institution in Tanzania and a letter of support from your home institution. Student visas are valid for the duration of your studies and can be extended if necessary.

Tanzania Visa requirements for residents and work permit holders:

If you are moving to Tanzania for work or to live permanently, you will need to obtain a Tanzania residence permit and a Tanzania work permit. To apply for a residence permit, you will need to provide proof of employment or other evidence of the purpose of your stays, such as a letter of acceptance from a recognized educational institution or a letter from a sponsoring organization. Work permits are issued to individuals who have been offered employment in Tanzania and are valid for the duration of the employment contract.

It is important to note that the visa and immigration requirements for Tanzania can change, so it is always best to check with the Embassy of the United Republic of Tanzania for the most up-to-date information.

Necessary conditions for Tanzanian Visa

There are several kinds of visas for Tanzania hence there are multiple ways to apply for a Tanzania visa. You will have to assess your situation and choose your visa type accordingly. Here, are some general instructions for the visa application for Tanzania (according to the Tanzania immigration website):

  • You should have a passport that has a minimum validity of six months and which has not less than one unused Visa page before Visa application submission;
  • If you/ your companions do not possess your national passports, must indicate your type of passport in the respective field within the online application;
  • You are required to select the right type of Visa. Applying for the wrong type of Visa may lead to rejection;
  • Ensure all supporting documents for a particular type of Visa are uploaded in the online application and if applying for a sticker visa then ensure all supporting documents are sent to your country’s Tanzanian embassy or consulate. All Visa application requirements are calculated based on general criteria and can vary due to various factors including but not limited to the information provided by the applicant;
  • You will be required to lodge Visa applications ten days before their expected date of travel and two months for those persons and applicants whose countries fall under the referral Visa category;
  • Once the online application form is submitted by you, further modifications are not allowed. Hence you have to check and validate the details before submitting the online application form;
  • If your visa is rejected, Tanzania holds the right to withhold the reasons for your visa rejection
  • In case a Visa approval / Grant notification has been issued, the applicant cannot make a request for such approval to be postponed or change the dates stipulated therein for its validity;
  • You are not expected to arrive in Tanzania before your visa application is approved. If for any reason you arrive before such approval, you will be subjected to pay a non - refundable respective Visa fee;
  • As the visa is granted, there will be a mentioned visa start date and a visa end date. You will have to observe the date and make your trip accordingly;
  • A Visa grant notification is not enough to enter Tanzania, the immigration officer at the entry point will be the one to make the final decision if you can enter Tanzania or not;

All Visa fees are prepaid, non-refundable, and non-transferable. The non-refundable policy applies in all and is not limited to the following circumstances;

  • Upon rejection/denial of the Visa application.
  • Upon cancellation of the Visa application after submission by your own cause.
  • Upon travel cancellation or postponement by your own due cause after being issued a Visa approval/grant notification.
  • Upon double payment, if you submit another Visa application of the same respect or of a different type of visa before the first Visa application submitted has been processed.
  • Upon double payment, if you arrive before your online visa is approved, and the Immigration Officer at the entry point subjects you to pay Visa on arrival.
  • Upon not receiving a Visa Grant notification in your email. NB: You are advised to track the progress of your applications online by using the credentials which you have submitted while filling out the visa application form.

Liability

The Immigration Services Department will not be liable by reason of any delay or cancellations of journeys caused by events that are outside the Department’s control including but not limited to, acts of God, natural calamities, government actions, war or national emergencies, acts of terrorism or other related events.

Modification of Terms and Conditions.

The Immigration Service Department reserves the right to change the terms and conditions without prior notice to you. You have to be responsible for regularly reviewing these terms and conditions.

According to the website of immigration of Tanzania, American citizens MUST apply for a Multiple Entry Visa, meaning they will not be able to apply for a Single Entry Visa. It is also highly recommended that the Tanzania Transit Visa is only for the purpose of transit for passengers and not for tourism purposes. Refugees and stateless persons will be required Vienna Convention documents so that they can be granted referral visas.

For your better understanding and planning to go to Tanzania, some entry points of Tanzania are stated as follows:

  • Julius Nyerere International Airport (JNIA);
  • Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA);
  • Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (AAKIA);
  • Namanga border;
  • Tunduma border.
 

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