Tanzania Visa for US Citizens
US citizens need a visa to visit Tanzania in 2026, and there is an important rule that catches many Americans off guard: you cannot get the standard $50 single-entry visa. Due to bilateral agreements between Tanzania and the United States, all US passport holders must apply for the Multiple Entry Visa at $100 USD, even if you only plan one trip. The good news is that this visa is valid for 12 months and allows unlimited entries, with each visit permitting up to 90 consecutive days. You can apply online through the official e-Visa portal at visa.immigration.go.tz (recommended, takes 5 to 10 business days) or get a visa on arrival at Kilimanjaro, Dar es Salaam, or Zanzibar airports.
Visa At a Glance
- Visa Type
- Multiple Entry Visa (Mandatory)
- Best Option
- e-Visa
- Cost
- $100
- Processing
- 5-10 days
- Validity
- 365 days
- Entries
- Multiple
E-Visa Application
RecommendedCost
$100
Processing
5-10 business days
Stay Permitted
90 days per visit
Entries
Multiple
How to Apply for E-Visa
Visit the official Tanzania e-Visa portal at visa.immigration.go.tz
Create a new account with your email address and set a password
Log in and select 'Multiple Entry Visa' (do NOT select Ordinary Visa; it will be rejected for US citizens)
Fill in the application form with your personal details, travel dates, and accommodation information
Upload a recent passport-sized photo (45x35mm, colored, white background, JPEG format, max 500KB)
Upload a clear colored scan of your passport bio page
Upload your return or onward flight ticket showing departure from Tanzania
Upload proof of accommodation (hotel booking, safari lodge confirmation, or invitation letter)
Pay $100 USD using Visa or Mastercard
Wait 5 to 10 business days for your application to be reviewed and approved
Download and print your approved e-Visa; carry multiple printed copies
Requirements
E-Visa Documents
- Valid US passport with at least 6 months validity beyond your date of entry into Tanzania
- At least one blank visa page in your passport
- Recent passport-sized photo (45x35mm, colored, white background, JPEG format, max 500KB file size)
- Colored scan of your passport bio page (the page with your photo and details)
- Return or onward flight ticket showing departure from Tanzania
- Proof of accommodation (hotel booking confirmation, safari lodge itinerary, or host invitation letter)
- Yellow fever vaccination certificate if arriving from an endemic country (not required for direct flights from the US, but recommended)
- Visa or Mastercard for the $100 USD payment
Passport Requirements
- Validity: At least 6 months beyond your entry date into Tanzania
- Blank Pages: At least 1 blank visa page (immigration stamps require space)
- Condition: Good condition with no damage, water stains, or torn pages
East Africa Tourist Visa
Visiting multiple East African countries? The East Africa Tourist Visa might be a better option.
Cost
$100
Validity
90 days
Entries
Multiple
Countries
Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda
When to choose: If visiting multiple East African countries on the same trip. For US citizens, this costs the same as a Tanzania-only Multiple Entry Visa ($100), making it excellent value if you plan to combine Tanzania with Kenya, Uganda, or Rwanda.
At Immigration
What to Present
- •Valid US passport with at least 6 months validity
- •Printed e-Visa approval letter (or be prepared to apply on arrival)
- •Completed arrival card (distributed on the plane or at immigration)
- •Return or onward flight ticket
- •Proof of accommodation (hotel booking or safari itinerary)
- •Yellow fever vaccination certificate (if arriving from an endemic country)
Tips
- •Have your printed e-Visa ready before joining the immigration queue
- •Know the name and address of your first hotel, lodge, or tour operator
- •Yellow fever vaccination certificate is checked if you are arriving from or transiting through an endemic country
- •Have your return flight details ready to show if asked by immigration officers
- •Fill out the arrival card completely on the plane to save time at immigration
- •Keep a pen handy for the arrival card; they are not always available at the airport
Typical processing time: 15 to 30 minutes with an approved e-Visa; 30 to 90 minutes for visa on arrival
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Selecting 'Ordinary Visa' on the e-Visa application (US citizens are not eligible; the application will be rejected and you lose time)
- Assuming the visa costs $50 (it is $100 for Americans due to the mandatory Multiple Entry Visa)
- Applying too late and missing the processing window (allow at least 2 to 3 weeks; processing takes 5 to 10 business days)
- Using unofficial or third-party visa websites that charge inflated fees (always use visa.immigration.go.tz)
- Not printing the e-Visa approval letter (digital copies on your phone work sometimes, but a printed copy is strongly recommended)
- Traveling with a passport that has less than 6 months validity (you will be denied entry)
- Forgetting the yellow fever certificate when arriving from Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, or other endemic countries
- Not having proof of return travel or accommodation ready for immigration officers
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the Tanzania visa for US citizens in 2026?
$100 USD. Americans must get the Multiple Entry Visa due to bilateral agreements between Tanzania and the United States. The $50 Ordinary Visa (single entry) is not available to US passport holders. This $100 fee applies whether you apply online through the e-Visa portal or get a visa on arrival.
Why do Americans pay more for a Tanzania visa?
Due to a bilateral agreement between Tanzania and the USA, American citizens are required to apply for the Multiple Entry Visa ($100) rather than the Ordinary Visa ($50) that most other nationalities can use. The upside is that the Multiple Entry Visa is valid for 12 months and allows unlimited entries, with each visit permitting up to 90 days.
Can US citizens get a Tanzania visa on arrival in 2026?
Yes, US citizens can get a visa on arrival at major airports including Kilimanjaro (JRO), Dar es Salaam (DAR), and Zanzibar (ZNZ). However, the e-Visa is strongly recommended to avoid long queues that can take 30 to 90 minutes. The cost is still $100 for the mandatory Multiple Entry Visa.
How long can US citizens stay in Tanzania?
Each visit allows a maximum stay of 90 consecutive days. The Multiple Entry Visa is valid for 12 months from the date of issue, so you can make unlimited entries throughout the year, with each stay capped at 90 days. Extensions are available at immigration offices.
How long does the Tanzania e-Visa take for Americans?
The Tanzania e-Visa typically takes 5 to 10 business days to process. Apply at least 2 to 3 weeks before your travel date to allow for any delays. You will receive an approval email with a downloadable e-Visa letter.
Do US citizens need a yellow fever vaccine for Tanzania?
A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required only if you are arriving from or transiting through a yellow fever endemic country (such as Kenya, Uganda, or Ethiopia). If you are flying directly from the United States, the vaccine is recommended by the CDC but not required by Tanzanian immigration.
Is the Tanzania visa single or multiple entry for Americans?
Always Multiple Entry. US citizens cannot get single-entry visas for Tanzania. The mandatory Multiple Entry Visa costs $100 and is valid for 12 months with unlimited entries.
What is the East Africa Tourist Visa and should US citizens get it?
The East Africa Tourist Visa costs $100 and covers Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda for 90 days with multiple entries between these countries. For US citizens, it costs the same as the Tanzania-only Multiple Entry Visa, so it is excellent value if your trip includes any neighboring countries. Apply through the country of first entry.
What documents do I need for a Tanzania tourist visa as a US citizen?
You need a valid US passport (6+ months validity), a passport-sized photo, a return or onward flight ticket, and proof of accommodation (hotel or safari booking). For the e-Visa, you also need digital copies of your passport bio page and photo in JPEG format. A yellow fever certificate is required if arriving from an endemic country.