Foreigners seeking to enter the United Republic of Tanzania should be in the possession of valid passports or any other travel document. The passport or any other travel document is to be presented to the Immigration Control Officer at any entry point, such as Border station, Airport or Harbour. The travel document must be presented along with one of the following:

Tanzania offers divers world-class reefs and plentiful schools of tropical fish just offshore of the popular beaches and secluded locations.

"We believe that visa quotas should be lifted and people should visit anywhere they wish freely."

A visitor must also present an onward or return ticket together with proof that he/she has sufficient funds to support himself or herself while in Tanzania.

1. Residence permit or VISA

A visa is a permission granted to a foreigner who intends to enter into Tanzania for business, holiday, studies or conduct research or any other approved activities. Visas should be obtained at Tanzania Embassies/High Commissions abroad or at the entry point

After entering the country, a visitor with a visa may then obtain from the Immigration Control Officer, a pass or any other authority to stay in the country.

2. Who Requires a Visa?

All foreigners from Non-Commonwealth Countries are required to have a valid visa unless their countries have a visa abolition agreement with Tanzania. Citizens of Commonwealth countries are not required to obtain visa, unless they are citizens of the United Kingdom, Canada, Nigeria, India, Pakistan or The Republic of South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. However, the list may change from time to time

3. Types of Visas

There are five(5) types of visas valid for entry into Tanzania:

i. Ordinary Visa

An Ordinary Visa is issued at any Tanzania Mission abroad or at any official entry point into Tanzania boarder.

ii. Carrying on Temporary Assignment (CTA)

CTA is issued to prospective visitors who intend to visit Tanzania for purposes of making feasibility studies, establishing professional and business contacts, and making arrangements for investments during the start-up period. The validity of this visa is two months. This type of visa is issued at the entry point.

iii. Multiple entry Visa

Foreigners who, because of the nature of their business or investments, need to make frequent visits to the United Republic of Tanzania may be issued with Multiple- entry visa. The validity ranges from (3) months to one year. Applications for multiple-entry visa are usually submitted to the Director of Immigration services by local contacts on behalf of the applicant

iv. Referred Visa

A referred visa requires a permission of the Director of Immigration Services or the assistant Director of Immigration Services in Zanzibar. This type of a visa is required for the nationals of the following countries: Lebanon, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Somalia, Afghanistan, Senegal, Mali, Turkey, Iran, Iraq, Ethiopia, Syria, Egypt, Yemen, Morocco, Tunisia, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Sri lanka, Mauritania, Sierra Leone, Niger, Liberia and for refugees, stateless people and any other nationalities as may be specified from time to time by the authorities. Persons in need of this type of visa may make enquiries at any Tanzania Mission abroad.

v. Transit Visa

A Transit Visa is a permission to pass through Tanzania from one entry point to the exit point. It is for the people whose purpose of their entry into Tanzania is simply to pass through to the other destination abroad without visiting. This type of a visa is only issued to persons with onward tickets, sufficient funds for transit, and an entry visa to the country of destination or any proof that prior arrangements have been made that satisfy this requirement. There is no special clearance for transit visa, except for those specified in paragraph 4.4 above.

5. Visa Issuing Centres and Authorities

Visas are issued by the following: The office of the Director of Immigration Services, Dar es Salaam, and the Office of the Assistant Director of Immigration Services Zanzibar. Tanzania Missions abroad Entry points to the United Republic of Tanzania, i.e. Namanga, Tunduma, Sirari, Horohoro, Kigoma Port, Julius.K. Nyerere International Airport (JKNIA), Kilimanjaro International Airport, Zanzibar Harbour and Zanzibar International Airport (ZIA) and other gazetted entry points.

6. Visa Fee Rates

Visa fee for Holiday and Ordinary visa is US $. 50. Multiple visa 6 months to 1 year is US $ 100, while 3 months multiple visa fee is US $.50. You can download the following forms, fill in then return to our offices by clicking here: [www.moha.go.tz]

7. Extension of Stay:

You can extend your visas for three months at a time up to a maximum of six months at the immigration office in Dar es Salaam.

8. Temporary Residence:

Residence permits are granted to foreign nationals if they are employed by a Tanzanian company, or working long-term as missionaries or volunteers. You must apply for these through the Immigration Services Department (www.immigration.go.tz).

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

Residence Permits

Residence permits are not issued by Tanzania Missions but rather the Immigration Department. Application for residence permits must be done and obtained prior to arriving in Tanzania. The requirements are as follows:

Work Permits

Work permits are not issued by Tanzania Missions but rather the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Youth Development. Application of work permits must be done and obtained prior to arriving in Tanzania. The requirements are: Znz Min Labour, youth, women and children dev

Filming License

Filming licenses are required must and permits to import filming equipment must be obtained prior arrival in the country.

1. Entry Requirements

Foreigners seeking to enter the United Republic of Tanzania should be in the possession of valid passports or any other travel document. The passport or any other travel document is to be presented to the Immigration Control Officer at any entry point, such as Border station, Airport or Harbour. The travel document must be presented along with one of the following:

Why Visas Matter in Tourism

Border Security & Screening: Visas allow governments to run background checks before or upon arrival, which helps stop individuals who may pose public safety or national security risks.

Regulation of Stay and Laws: A visa defines the legal boundaries of a trip—such as the exact duration allowed (e.g., up to 90 days for an ordinary tourist visa in Tanzania) and a strict prohibition against working or conducting unsanctioned business

Economic Growth & Foreign Exchange: Streamlined visa systems (such as e-visas or visa-on-arrival programs) encourage higher tourist arrivals, generating revenue for local hotels, tour operators, national parks, and transport services

Governments use visa structures (single-entry vs. multiple-entry) to monitor, balance, and manage the volume of international visitors entering sensitive cultural, ecological, or urban regions.

Traveler Accountability: Requiring a visa, an onward/return ticket, and proof of funds ensures that tourists have the financial means to support themselves and will leave when their authorized stay expires

Travelling to a new country is an exhilarating experience, offering opportunities for cultural exploration, personal growth, and unforgettable memories. However, before you embark on your journey, there’s a crucial step that often requires careful consideration: obtaining the necessary visa. Obtaining a visa can be arduous and may require standing in long queues or waiting endlessly for the application to come through. At BLS, being efficient is our forte. We aim to touch the lives of people across the globe with our tech-enabled services that make the process of documentation and identification relatively easy and hassle-free for everyone. BLS ranks among the top three players globally in the domain of outsourcing visa processing services, consular, and citizen services due to our technology-driven, innovative solutions. In other words, we take pride in making the lives of travellers easy by offering stress-free and hassle-free visa assistance or visa services.

Obtaining a visa can be time-consuming, involving extensive paperwork and coordination with various authorities. BLS visa services are designed to expedite this process, utilizing the knowledge and resources to efficiently handle the paperwork, verify documentation, and liaise with the appropriate government agencies. This saves you precious time and allows you to focus on other aspects of your travel preparations.