Tanzania Visa for US Citizens
US citizens need a visa to visit Tanzania, but here's the catch: Americans cannot get a standard single-entry visa. Due to bilateral agreements between Tanzania and the United States, US passport holders must apply for a Multiple Entry Visa at $100, even for a single trip. This is double what other nationalities pay, but the visa is valid for 12 months with unlimited entries. Each visit allows a maximum stay of 90 consecutive days.
Visa At a Glance
- Visa Type
- Multiple Entry Visa (Mandatory)
- Best Option
- e-Visa
- Cost
- $100
- Processing
- 3-10 days
- Validity
- 365 days
- Entries
- Multiple
E-Visa Application
RecommendedCost
$100
Processing
Up to 10 business days
Stay Permitted
90 days per visit (consecutive)
Entries
Multiple
How to Apply for E-Visa
Go to visa.immigration.go.tz
Create an account or log in
Select 'Multiple Entry Visa'
Fill in application form with travel details
Upload passport photo (45x35mm, JPEG, max 500KB)
Upload passport bio page (colored scan)
Upload return/onward flight ticket
Pay $100 via Visa or Mastercard
Wait up to 10 business days for approval
Download and print approved e-Visa
Requirements
E-Visa Documents
- Valid US passport (6+ months validity beyond entry)
- One blank visa page in passport
- Recent passport photo (45x35mm, colored, JPEG, max 500KB)
- Colored scan of passport bio page
- Return or onward flight ticket
- Visa or Mastercard for payment
Passport Requirements
- Validity: At least 6 months beyond entry date
- Blank Pages: At least 1 blank visa page
- Condition: Good condition, no damage
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. Same price as Tanzania-only Multiple Visa for US citizens, so good value if combining destinations.
At Immigration
What to Present
- •Passport with 6+ months validity
- •Printed e-Visa approval
- •Return flight ticket
- •Yellow fever certificate (if arriving from endemic country)
Tips
- •Have printed e-Visa in hand before joining queue
- •Know your first hotel or lodge name and address
- •Yellow fever vaccination certificate needed if arriving from endemic area
- •Have return flight details ready to show if asked
Typical processing time: 15-30 minutes with e-Visa
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Applying for Ordinary Visa (US citizens are not eligible, application will be rejected)
- Thinking visa costs $50 (it's $100 for Americans)
- Applying too late (allow 2 weeks, processing takes up to 10 days)
- Using unofficial visa websites
- Not printing the e-Visa approval
- Passport validity less than 6 months
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is Tanzania visa for US citizens?
$100. Americans must get the Multiple Entry Visa. The $50 Ordinary Visa is not available to US passport holders.
Why do Americans pay more for Tanzania visa?
Due to bilateral agreements between Tanzania and the USA, Americans must apply for Multiple Entry Visa ($100) rather than the Ordinary Visa ($50) that other nationalities can use.
Can US citizens get Tanzania visa on arrival?
Yes, but e-Visa is recommended to avoid long queues. The cost is still $100 for the mandatory Multiple Entry Visa.
How long can US citizens stay in Tanzania?
Maximum 90 consecutive days per visit. The Multiple Entry Visa is valid for 12 months, allowing unlimited entries with 90-day stays each time.
How long does Tanzania e-Visa take for Americans?
Up to 10 business days. Apply at least 2 weeks before travel to be safe.
Do US citizens need yellow fever vaccine for Tanzania?
Only if arriving from a yellow fever endemic country. If flying direct from the US, it's recommended but not required.
Is Tanzania visa single or multiple entry for Americans?
Always Multiple Entry. US citizens cannot get single entry visas for Tanzania.