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Tanzania Visa for China Citizens 2026

Visa on Arrival

Chinese citizens can obtain a visa on arrival for Tanzania at designated entry points (Dar es Salaam DAR, Zanzibar ZNZ, Kilimanjaro JRO) for tourism or business; visa fees are USD 50 for Tourist and USD 100 for Business, payable in cash on arrival; stays up to 90 days; passport validity required is 6 months from entry; processing at the desk usually 30–60 minutes.

Guide last updated September 4, 2026. Always verify with official sources before travel.

What you need

  • Passport validity: passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry and have at least two blank visa pages.
  • Specific forms: no pre-departure visa application is required; on arrival you will fill a visa-on-arrival form at the desk (arrival declaration forms may be provided at the port).
  • Financial proof: there is no fixed minimum amount required, but you should be able to show you can cover your stay; carry accessible funds or bank statements if asked.
  • Accommodation and return ticket: a return or onward ticket is recommended; having a hotel/address confirmation helps, though not always strictly required.
  • Photo spec: one recent passport photo (2x2 inches / 51x51 mm) with a plain light background.
  • Biometrics: yes, biometric data may be collected at the visa-on-arrival desk.
  • Travel health insurance: not required by law, but strongly recommended.
  • Health/vaccination: yellow fever certificate is only required if coming from a country with a risk of yellow fever; China is not a yellow fever country, but carry any vaccination records if you have them and check current rules on the official portal.

Visa types

  • Tourist visa on arrival (Tourist Visa on Arrival): Official name typically shown as Tourist Visa on Arrival; Validity: up to 90 days; Max stay: up to 90 days; Entry: single; Fee: USD 50.
  • Business visa on arrival (Business Visa on Arrival): Official name typically shown as Business Visa on Arrival; Validity: up to 90 days; Max stay: up to 90 days; Entry: single; Fee: USD 100.
  • Student visa on arrival: Not available at ports of entry; requires pre-approval via an embassy/consulate or e-visa route (if available).
  • Work visa on arrival: Not available at ports of entry; requires official embassy/consulate processing or other approved channels.
  • Note: Always verify the current VOA offerings and any changes on the official Tanzania Immigration e-services portal and the Tanzania Ministry/Embassy site before travel.

Visa on arrival

  • Ports of entry: Visa on arrival is issued at designated entry points, primarily international airports such as Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR) in Dar es Salaam, Abeid Karume International Airport (Zanzibar), and Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO); some land border posts may also issue VOA, but this varies by port—confirm at the desk.
  • How to apply on arrival: proceed to the Visa on Arrival desk after passport control; present the passport, one passport photo, return/onward ticket, and hotel/address details if requested; complete any form provided at the desk; pay the visa fee in cash (USD is preferred).
  • Fees and currencies: Tourist visa on arrival costs USD 50; Business visa on arrival costs USD 100; fees are typically paid in cash at the desk; local currency (TZS) equivalents may be accepted at some ports at the official rate; confirm accepted currencies at the desk.
  • Processing time: expect 30–60 minutes at the desk depending on queues and port workload; have patience during peak travel periods.
  • Arrival outcome: a visa stamp or sticker is placed in your passport; proceed to immigration clearance with the visa in place.
  • Important notes: ensure your passport is valid for at least 6 months beyond entry; you may be asked for proof of onward travel and accommodation; VOA is usually single-entry and valid for up to 90 days.

Fees & processing time

  • Visa fee (local currency and approximate USD): Tourist visa USD 50 (approx TZS 115,000 if using a rough rate of 1 USD ≈ 2,300 TZS); Business visa USD 100 (approx TZS 230,000).
  • VFS/BLS service fee: Not applicable for visa on arrival at the port; VOA is processed directly at the entry point.
  • Total cost estimate: Tourist USD 50; Business USD 100 (plus any incidental port charges if applicable).
  • Standard processing time: 30–60 minutes at the VOA desk, depending on queue length and port workload.
  • Express/priority option: Not available for visa on arrival.

Tips for China travelers

  • How far in advance to apply: There is no pre-application for visa on arrival; plan for longer queues at peak travel times; if you want guaranteed pre-approval, consider an embassy/consulate visa or an e-visa route if available.
  • Common rejection reasons for China applicants specifically: Passport validity under 6 months or insufficient blank pages; lack of round-trip or onward ticket; lack of hotel/address details or insufficient funds evidence; passport photo not meeting specs; discrepancies between travel plans and documents; previous overstays or visa issues in Tanzania or other countries.
  • VFS/BLS vs direct embassy application: VOA is processed at the port directly and avoids prior appointment or third-party service fees; for pre-approved options, you can explore embassy/consulate visa routes or any available e-visa program via the official eservices portal (check if e-visa is currently offered for China nationals).
  • Travel advisories and bilateral notes: always check the latest travel advisories from your government and Tanzania’s official sources (eservices.immigration.go.tz and the embassy site at tanzania.go.tz) before travel for any updated entry requirements or health advisories.
  • Extension options inside Tanzania: stays under VOA are typically up to 90 days; extensions may be possible by applying with the Tanzania Immigration Services before your visa expires; extension is not guaranteed and may incur additional fees; always ensure you do not overstay while seeking an extension.

Official links & resources

Always confirm requirements with government or embassy sources before applying.

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This guide is for information only. Visa policies change without notice. Travel Visa Stack is not an immigration authority. Always verify with official government or embassy sources before making travel plans.