Travelling to Tanzania

Tanzania is known for its history of stability and astounding natural beauty. A robust tourism industry provides all levels of tourist amenities, although higher-end facilities are concentrated mainly in the cities and selected game parks. The United Republic of Tanzania was formed in 1964 with the union of the mainland country of Tanganyika and the Zanzibar archipelago, which includes the islands of Unguja and Pemba. Unguja is the much larger and populous of the two islands and is commonly referred to as Zanzibar. The main city of Zanzibar is known as Stone Town. Although part of the union government, Zanzibar has its own president, court system, and legislature, and exercises considerable autonomy.

Entry, Exit & Visa Requirements
Yellow fever vaccinations are required for all travelers from yellow fever endemic countries/regions. All individuals in transit for twelve (12) hours or more, and/or who leave the immediate airport vicinity, in a yellow fever endemic area are required to show proof of vaccination upon arrival in any port of debarkation in Tanzania. However, direct arrivals from non-endemic countries in Europe and North America are not required to show the certificate. We recommend you have yellow fever immunization and carry your WHO immunization card with you in case you have emergency travel to a country that requires proof of immunization, such as South Africa. Please refer to the CDC website for a list of yellow fever endemic countries.

A passport valid for a minimum of six months beyond the visa issuance and a valid visa are required for travel to Tanzania. Visitors who enter on visas must present a roundtrip ticket and demonstrate they have sufficient funds for their stay in Tanzania. Ensure you have at least one completely blank visa page prior to entering the country. U.S. citizens with valid passports may obtain a visa from the Embassy of Tanzania before arrival in Tanzania or at any port of entry staffed by immigration officials. The U.S. Embassy recommends that U.S. citizens obtain their visas before arriving in Tanzania to avoid potential delays at entry points. The current fee for a visa is US $100 for a 12-month multiple-entry tourist visa. Some border posts and embassies may make hand-written annotations on the computer printed visa due to technical difficulties. Be prepared to show your passport and explain your visa status when entering or departing Zanzibar or when traveling around the mainland.

Tanzanian law governing visa categories is very strict. Volunteer activity – even if the traveler is paying for the opportunity – is prohibited on a tourist visa. If you are traveling to Tanzania for short or long-term volunteer, study, and/or research projects, you should ensure you have the right type of visa before entering the country. If you plan to engage in business or commercial transactions in Tanzania, please consult with the Embassy of Tanzania in Washington, D.C. and/or an attorney before you apply for entry to Tanzania. Fines for having the wrong type of visa can be as high as US $600. Contact the Embassy of Tanzania in Washington, D.C. prior to departure to obtain the most current visa information. Read the page on visas and immigration to ensure you will have the correct status during your visit to Tanzania.

Maintain control of your U.S. passport while in Tanzania. Keep a photocopy of your passport, visa, and/or residence permit in a separate location in case your passport is lost or stolen or if needed to prove your identity and U.S. citizenship. Travelers and U.S. citizens resident in Tanzania are strongly urged to maintain legal immigration status while in Tanzania to avoid difficulties with local immigration authorities. If you do not have the right type of visa and entry stamp when you leave Tanzania, you may need to visit the immigration office, incurring possible delays and financial obligations.