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Tanzania Visa for United Kingdom Citizens 2026

Visa on Arrival

UK citizens traveling to Tanzania can obtain a visa on arrival at designated ports (tourist or business); fees start at USD 50 for tourist and USD 100 for business, with processing at the port typically 15–60 minutes; tourist stays up to 90 days per entry, business up to 12 months, payable in USD or Tanzanian Shillings.

Guide last updated September 5, 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 form is required for visa on arrival; you will fill a Visa on Arrival form at the port of entry.
  • Financial proof: Not required; no fixed minimum funds; you should have enough funds for your stay.
  • Accommodation and return ticket: Proof of accommodation is not always checked, but having a confirmed address and a return/onward ticket is recommended.
  • Photo spec: Bring one recent passport photo (2x2 inches / 51x51 mm) with a white background; extra copies can help.
  • Biometrics: Yes; biometric data (photo and fingerprints) are captured at the port of entry as part of the visa on arrival.
  • Travel health insurance: Not mandatory but strongly recommended for international travel.

Visa types

  • Tourist visa (on arrival): Official name Tourist Visa; validity up to 90 days per stay; single-entry; approximate fee USD 50; can be issued on arrival at designated ports.
  • Business visa (on arrival): Official name Business Visa; validity up to 12 months; multiple-entry (per-entry stays typically up to 90 days); approximate fee USD 100.
  • Transit visa (on arrival): Official name Transit Visa; validity up to 7 days; single-entry; approximate fee USD 20.
  • Student visa / Work visa: Not available on arrival; these require pre-approval and processing at a Tanzanian embassy or consulate with longer-term residency requirements.

Visa on arrival

  • Designated entry points: Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR) in Dar es Salaam, Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), Abeid Karume International Airport (ZNZ) in Zanzibar (and other official ports as notified).
  • How to apply: Upon arrival, proceed to the visa on arrival desks with your passport, travel documents, and any required photo; fill the visa on arrival form if needed.
  • Fees and currencies: Pay the visa fee in USD or Tanzanian Shillings at the desk; cash is commonly accepted; some ports may accept cards where available.
  • Steps and processing: Submit documents, have biometrics captured, pay the fee, and receive your visa stamp; proceed to immigration after stamping.
  • Queue tips: Arrive early in the day to avoid long queues; having exact cash in USD or preferred TZSh can speed the process.
  • How approval arrives: Visa is issued directly at the port; no pre-approval email or online authorization is needed.

Fees & processing time

  • Tourist visa on arrival: USD 50; Tanzanian Shillings equivalent (approx. TZS 115,000–120,000 depending on rate); total cost about USD 50.
  • Business visa on arrival: USD 100; Tanzanian Shillings equivalent (approx. TZS 230,000–250,000 depending on rate);
  • Transit visa on arrival: USD 20; Tanzanian Shillings equivalent (approx. TZS 46,000–50,000);
  • VFS/BLS service fee: Not applicable for visa on arrival (these facilities are used for some embassy-based processes rather than on-arrival visas).
  • Standard processing time: approximately 15–60 minutes at the port, depending on queue and port workload.
  • Express/priority options: Generally not offered for visa on arrival; processing times depend on port traffic.

Tips for United Kingdom travelers

  • How far in advance to apply: No pre-arrival application is required for visa on arrival; plan ahead to accommodate possible queues at busy ports.
  • Common reasons for denial or delays (UK-specific): Passport validity less than 6 months, insufficient funds or lack of a return/onward ticket, failure to provide accommodation details or clear travel plans, or arriving at a port with a backlog.
  • VFS/BLS vs direct embassy application: Visa on arrival is handled directly at the port; for longer stays or other visa types (student, work, long-term residence), apply through the Tanzanian embassy/consulate or the official e-services portal as applicable.
  • Travel advisories or bilateral notes: Check the UK government travel advice for Tanzania before travel for the latest entry requirements, health guidance, and safety tips, as rules can change.
  • Extension options inside Tanzania: Extensions can be requested with the Tanzanian Immigration Department before your current visa expires; typical extensions may be granted for additional stay (fees apply) and are not guaranteed—processing times vary. Always verify the latest rules at the time of your stay.

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.