What are the conditions of a Tanzania Visa on Arrival?

Planning a trip to Tanzania is almost as exciting as the trip itself. Reading about all the unique things to see, places to visit, and yes, also the safety measures to keep in mind. Starting with the world-renowned Kilimanjaro and safari Katavi to the most pristine beaches in Zanzibar. This destination is one to surprise and touch you to the depths of the heart. But with such a grand trip comes also a great deal of research and planning, including all the details about the necessary formalities. That is obviously why you are here, looking for more information about visa on arrival in Tanzania, right?

And let me tell you that in the following paragraphs you will definitely find a lot of information to kickstart your visa planning process. We will start with a bit of general insight into the Tanzania visa policy and afterward go into more details about the Tanzania visa on arrival application form, the application process, and processing time. And at last, you will hear information about how much is a Tanzania visa on arrival? There is a lot to find out so let’s start with the basic things.

What should I know about the Tanzania visa policy?

If we don’t delve into too much detail, this visa policy looks rather simple. There are a bunch of countries that are exempt from visas, but all the rest will need one even just to transit. And the easy thing is that if you need a visa then you are also eligible to get it done online or to be clear - obtain an eVisa. There are a bunch of other visa types, but let’s focus on the main topic of this article and start to unravel the important aspects.

What is Tanzania's on-arrival visa?

I think the name says it all. It means that you can arrive in Tanzania and without any unnecessary hassle get a visa-on-arrival. This means - if you are eligible then you will save some precious time on contacting the embassy and carrying out the formalities.

When applying you can choose to get either a single-entry visa or a multiple-entry one. If you go for the latter one, the officials will ask for more detailed explanations on your intentions and plans for entering the country. It might be an invitation letter or other document explaining your plans. And the duration of your visa will depend on your intentions, as well as the officer processing your application.

What are the conditions for a visa on arrival in Tanzania?

To be eligible for this visa you need to have a nationality of one of the below-mentioned countries:

Antigua & Barbuda, Anguilla, Ashmore & Certie Island, Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, Belize, Brunei, British Virgin Island, British Indian Ocean Territory, Botswana, Cyprus, Cayman Island, Channel Island, Cocos Island, Cook Island, Christmas Island, Dominica, Falkland Island, The Gambia, Ghana, Heard Island, Hong Kong, Isle of Man, Jamaica, Jersey, Kenya, Kiribati, Lesotho, Malawi, Montserrat, Malaysia, Madagascar, Malta, Mauritius, Macao, Mozambique, Nauru, Niue Island, Norfolk Island, Namibia, Papua New Guinea, Rwanda, Romania, Ross Dependency, Samoa, Seychelles, Singapore, Swaziland, Solomon Island, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, St. Helena, South African Republic, Trinidad & Tobago, Turks & Caicos Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Uganda, Zambia,
Zimbabwe, Gibraltar, Grenada, Guernsey, Guyana.

Please also be aware of the necessity to check if you might require a referral visa. If you are required to obtain such then keep in mind that you will NOT be eligible for a visa-on-arrival, and applying through the embassy will also take much longer time.

Where can I get the Tanzania visa on arrival forms?

Usually, you will get them in a specially designated place after landing. But the catch in this question is about the actual places where you can get this type of visa. Unfortunately, it is possible to obtain it ONLY in one of five designated ports of entry, so you should carefully consider your transportation and travel itinerary. If you have decided to opt for a visa-on-arrival then you should enter the country through one of these border points.

Arriving by air:

• Julius Nyere International Airport;
• Kilmanjaro International Airport;
• Abeid Amani Karume International Airport.

Arriving by land:

• Namanga Border Crossing;
• Tunduma Border Crossing.

Otherwise, you will be able to find a Tanzania visa on arrival form rather easily after landing, as getting a visa after arriving is quite a standard procedure. Just follow the signs or the officials to the processing area.

What documents do you need to get this visa?

The list is rather uncomplicated - you will need a valid passport (at least 6 months beyond your departure from Tanzania), detailed information on travel itinerary (ticket out of Tanzania as well as bookings for the accommodation), and proof of financial status. It might be a bank statement or other proof that shows that you can sustain yourself during this trip and take care of all the necessary expenses.

What is the procedure to obtain a visa on arrival in Tanzania?

The procedure is quite straightforward. You will be given a Tanzania visa on arrival application form, and fill it out. Then you will go to a window and submit it along with other required documents and the fee. The officer will check the Tanzania visa on arrival form for inconsistencies and might ask you for additional information, especially if you opt for a multiple-entry visa. And then you wait a moment and get your very desired document if everything is fine in your application.

Obtaining a visa on arrival might seem like a good deal, and you should definitely consider it as one of the options. Nonetheless, if you are not completely sure about the outcomes, it is always suggested to stick to a more safe option and apply for an eVisa online before departing. You will have a visa in your pocket and don’t risk being deported without being allowed in this beautiful country. And we wouldn’t want that waste of time, energy, and money.

How much is a Tanzania visa on arrival?

The system is relatively easy. If you opt for a single-entry visa, the Tanzania visa on arrival cost is 50 USD, but for the multiple-entry visa, it is 100 USD. At least, in most cases. For some nationalities, the fee might differ, so I suggest checking the exact amount on the official Tanzania visa website or with the embassy. Let me give you another tip - if you opt for this type of visa then make sure to have US Dollar bills with you to pay on the spot in cash. Neither debit/credit cards nor other currencies will be accepted and you risk being denied entry.

How long is the processing time for a visa on arrival in Tanzania?

Unsurprisingly, if you have all the documents ready and have no other hesitations then you will be able to get your visa-on-arrival in a matter of a few minutes. This means - that doing your research now is a good thing because you will be able to move through the process more smoothly and therefore - quickly. But there is one time-related consideration to keep in mind. I am talking about the actual visa obtaining process. In reality, it is very likely that you will be waiting in a rather long line and can also count that in the processing time. If you are a person who doesn’t like waiting in lines then I suggest applying for an eVisa online before departing your country!

Let’s wrap this up. First of all, I am happy to see that you are putting effort into researching the necessary formalities for your travel beforehand. Saved time and unnecessary problems! I hope that after reading all of this you now have a more profound clarity about all the necessary documents, procedures, and other things to expect. You might have enough clarity to decide between the available options (e-visa and the on-arrival one) and know more about particular details like Tanzania visa on arrival cost, or processing time. No need to ask where can I get the Tanzania visa on arrival forms, as it is a worry that you will think about after arriving in one of the designated ports of entry. Anyhow, whatever your final decisions are, and however you intend to carry out your trip. My dearest wish to you is to have the time of your life! Enjoy the beautiful land of Tanzania!

• I am sure you have encountered numerous articles and information about this topic already, but with my whole consciousness, I wouldn’t be able to leave you without mentioning a few things. Currently, it is quite risky traveling to Tanzania due to several reasons. First, the terrorist threats as well as the Coronavirus threats. Please be mindful of these aspects and consider your travel plans responsibly - safety first, right? Always read reliable online sources to find out more about the existing threats but even better - contact your embassy or ministry of foreign affairs to be completely sure.