Tanzania Immigration and Visas

Your Central Source for Information on Immigration, Visas and Permits in Tanzania

Free Case Assessment
5 Star Google Rating

Application to Tanzania Visas and Permits Starts Here

Tanzania is East Africa’s largest country. The capital is Dodoma, but the largest city, and former capital, is Dar Es Salaam. Many government offices are still in Dar Es Salaam.

Tanzania is known for its amazing landscapes and is home to Africa’s highest mountain, Kilimanjaro. Its other favourite attraction is the Serengeti National Park, where you can find Africa’s Big Five, the Elephant, Lion, Leopard, Buffalo, and Rhino.

Tanzania’s economy is recovering well from a downturn and is projected to grow nicely over the next few years.

All these factors make Tanzania an attractive destination for investors and those who want to work and live in the country.

Apply for a Tanzania Visa today!

Types of Tanzania Visas

There are three types of Tanzania visas:

  • Ordinary visa, also called a Single-Entry Visa
  • Business Visa
  • Multiple Entry Visa

Tanzania Ordinary Visa (Single Entry Visa)

Tanzania Ordinary Visa (Single Entry Visa)

Ordinary Tanzania visas are for those who want to visit Tanzania for a holiday, to visit family and friends, or as a tourist to see the sites.
The Ordinary Visa also for those attending a conference, seminar, workshop, etc., as well as for humanitarian and charity purposes.

It’s a single-entry visa only.
You can’t leave Tanzania briefly during your holiday and then return to finish your visit.

The ordinary visa is valid for up to 90 days.

Qualification Requirements for the Ordinary Visa in Tanzania

The applicant requires the necessary documents to enter Tanzania on one of the following purposes:

  • Visit
  • Tourism
  • Leisure
  • Holiday
  • attending Conference
  • Humanitarian and charity activities
  • Family Visit
  • Health Treatment

US citizens are not allowed to enter Tanzania with an Ordinary Visa and must apply for a Multiple Entry Visa for the above listed purposes.

Form/Documentation requirements for the Tanzania Ordinary Visa

An application for an Ordinary Visa (Single Entry Visa) should be accompanied with the following:

  • A copy of the applicant’s valid passport, including the biographic data page
  • Return air ticket
  • Proof of paid visa fees

Cost for Applying for the Tanzania Ordinary Visa

The fee for the Ordinary Visa for Tanzania is 900R.

Have a question? Ask us, it’s free!

Tanzania Business Visa

Tanzania Business Visa

Multiple-entry visas are for American citizens who want to visit Tanzania for a holiday or see family and friends.
They also cover work-related activities, including attending a conference.

American citizens aren’t entitled to an Ordinary Visa in Tanzania.

Multiple-entry visas are also issued to directors of companies registered in Tanzania who don’t live in the country.

They’re also for people engaged in bilateral meetings or are married to Tanzanian citizens or permanent residents.
This includes Government consultants, international NGO representatives, and any other person determined by the Commissioner General of Immigration or Commissioner of Immigration Zanzibar.

Contact IBN Immigration Solutions, and we’ll assign a specialist in Tanzania Visas and Permits to oversee your case.
Your Tanzania immigration consultant will help you determine precisely what type or class of visa suits your requirements.

Qualification Requirements for the Business Visa in Tanzania

The applicant requires the necessary documents to enter Tanzania on one of the following purposes:

  • To conduct special assignments such as fixing/repairing machines or to run short term training, etc.
  • To conduct short time professional roles such as auditing accounts, making feasibility studies, establishing professionals and business contacts, making arrangements for investments during the start-up period etc.
  • To conduct any other short term lawful business-related task recognised by the laws of the country and as may be determined by the issuing authority

Form/Documentation requirements for the Tanzania Business Visa

An application of Business Visa should be accompanied with the following:

  • A copy of the applicant’s valid passport, with the biographic data page
  • Return air ticket
  • Proof of paid visa fees
  • A work contract or any proof of the assignment to be carried out within three months

Cost for Applying for the Tanzania Business Visa

The fee for the Business Visa for Tanzania is 4500R.

Have a question? Ask us, it’s free!

Tanzania Multiple Entry Visa

Tanzania Multiple Entry Visa

Multiple-entry visas are for American citizens who want to visit Tanzania for a holiday or see family and friends. They also cover work-related activities, including attending a conference.

American citizens aren’t entitled to an Ordinary Visa in Tanzania.

Multiple-entry visas are also issued to directors of companies registered in Tanzania who don’t live in the country.

They’re also for people engaged in bilateral meetings or are married to Tanzanian citizens or permanent residents. Government consultants, international NGO representatives, and any other person determined by the Commissioner General of Immigration or Commissioner of Immigration Zanzibar.

Contact IBN Immigration Solutions, and we’ll assign a specialist in Tanzania visas and permits to oversee your case. Your Tanzania immigration consultant will help you determine precisely what type or class of visa suits your requirements.

Qualification Requirements for the Tanzania Multiple Entry Visa in Tanzania

Applicants applying for a multiple-entry visa for projects or bilateral meetings with government ministries or institutions must get a cover letter from said ministries and institutions and include the letters with their applications.

Applicants applying for the Tanzanian multiple-entry visa for family-related purposes must include proof of their relationship, for example, marriage or birth certificates.

Form/Documentation requirements for the Tanzania Multiple Entry Visa

An Application for the Tanzania Multiple Entry Visa, require and Should include:
  • A recent passport-size photo
  • A copy of the applicant’s valid passport, including the biographic data page
  • Return air ticket
  • A copy of the company’s registration certificate or certificate of compliance

If the applicant is applying for a visa as a director, they require a cover letter from the company or relevant government ministry or institution.

Alternatively, if the applicant is applying for consultancy with government ministers or bilateral agreements, they need a cover letter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation describing the bilateral agreement.

  • If the applicant is not visiting Tanzania for directors, government, or family purposes, they need a permission letter from the Commissioner General of Immigration or the Commissioner of Immigration Zanzibar.
  • If the applicant is visiting Tanzania to visit family and friends, they need an invitation from the host spouse or child. They must include a marriage or birth certificate, whichever is relevant.

The visitor must provide a valid passport or national ID of the spouse or child if applicable.

  • If the wife or child is a resident of Tanzania, they must provide a valid residence permit.
  • Proof of work qualification
  • Proof of paid visa fees

Your Tanzania visa expert will help you acquire all the necessary forms and documents to apply for your visa. This ensures you have everything you need to apply for your Tanzanian visa quickly and in one go, without pausing the application to hunt out forms you missed.

Cost for Applying for the Tanzania Multiple Entry Visa

The fee for the Mulitple Entry Visa for Tanzania is 1800R.

Have a question? Ask us, it’s free!

Tanzania Visa Costs

Costs for the types of visas vary according to several factors, one of which is the simplicity or complexity of the application process.

Tanzania Ordinary visa (single-entry): 900R

Tanzania Business visa: 4500R

Tanzania Multiple-entry visa: 1800R

Discuss your visa fees with your Tanzania immigration consultant so you can see what you’re paying for.
Remember that in some cases, you need to apply for two permits, so you’ll have to factor those costs into your estimate so you can budget for your move to Tanzania accordingly.

How to Apply for an Tanzania Visa

The application process for all three Tanzanian visas is the same.

  1. Go to the Immigration Services Website (www.immigration.go.tz)
  2. Click the “e-services” button and select “e-Visa Application Form”
  3. Upload and attach the scanned relevant documents
  4. You’ll receive an e-mail containing a User Identification Number, which you can use to track applications online.
  5. Once you complete the online visa application form, you must pay the visa fee.
    You can submit the online application for your Tanzanian visa when the payment has been successful.
  6. Lastly, you’ll receive a message of confirmation that the application to visit Tanzania has been received.
  7. Your Tanzanian immigration consultant will guide you through the application process to ensure you meet all the qualification requirements for your Tanzanian visa.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, you can’t work on a business visa.
Business visas are valid for 90 days only and aren’t renewable.

However, you may attend board meetings, go business prospecting, deliver a presentation, provide advisory or consulting services, and install machinery.

It is advisable to apply for a work and residence permit so you can work legally in Tanzania.

There are different types of work permits: Class A, B, and C.

Self-employed investors must apply for a Class A permit. Foreign employees must apply for a Class B permit. Class C permits are for other categories of residents, such as students and missionaries.

Applications for Class A and C permits should be forwarded directly to the Director of Immigration Services, while applications for Class B permits should be submitted to the Director of Immigration Services through the Labour Commissioner.

The Labour Department is only involved in the issuance of Class B permits.

Approved work authorisation allows you to work in Tanzania. However, you need a residence permit to live and work in Tanzania.

The Department of Immigration handles residence permit applications. Both work and residence permits are required to legally live and work in Tanzania.

Work permit applications must be submitted by our local provider because it’s necessary to approach local authorities.

After approval by the labour office, residence permit applications must be submitted to the immigration office so they can process the work permit. The processing time for a work permit is approximately 6-8 weeks, valid for up to 24 months.

It is important to ensure that the immigration part of the relocation process is started well before your actual assignment date, as requirements and procedures for applications in Tanzania are likely to change at times.

Work permits are not issued by Tanzania Missions but at the Ministry of Labour, Employment, and Youth Development. You must have received your work permit before arriving in Tanzania. Some of the requirements are:

  • Certified copies of your passport, which must be valid for at least six months
  • Your CV
  • Highest degree/education certificate
  • Passport photographs
  • Police Clearance Certificate
  • Medical Report
  • Employment contract
  • Motivational letter from the employer
  • Operating/business license and company registration documents

Residence permit holders can include a dependent on their permit by applying for a dependent pass. Family members dependent on you for their living and well-being, including your spouse, children, parents, and grandparents, can be added to your residence permit application and will be granted dependent passes.

Note: Family members can’t engage in any employment in Tanzania. Children must be under eighteen years of age, and parents/grandparents must completely depend on the applicant. You must have sufficient income to support your dependents.

We provide a full range of immigration services for Tanzania. With our professional and trusted network of partners, we stay up to day on policy issues and the realities which govern immigration rules & regulations.

We will first consult with you to determine which visa or permit is right for you. We advise on the required documentation and compile applications on your behalf. We will help you save time by gathering the required documents to finalise your application on your behalf.

It’s advantageous to have a reliable local representative who will apply in Tanzania and collect the resulting documents for you.

Related posts

Immigration News from Africa: January/February 2024

Immigration News from Africa: January/February 2024

This month, IBN Immigration Solutions brings you the latest immigration news from South Africa, Kenya, Côte d’Ivoire, and Mozambique.

Read More
Immigration News from Africa: December 2023

Immigration News from Africa: December 2023

This month, IBN Immigration Solutions brings you the latest immigration news from South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Lesotho.

Read More
Immigration News from Africa: October/November 2023

Immigration News from Africa: October/November 2023

This month, IBN Immigration Solutions brings you the latest immigration news from South Africa, Namibia, Zambia, and Kenya.

Read More