Tanzania Visa Guide

Tanzania is a jewel of East Africa; it has a little bit of everything. The calm coast with tranquil water, large nature parks with the ‘Big Five’ animals, charming villages, and the Maasai. It is a destination suitable for those who love the outdoors, culture, and adventure. The process for a Tanzania visa for Indians is straightforward through the official visa portal. Indian nationals can apply for a Tanzania eVisa online or a visa on arrival from major Tanzania entry points.

With IndiGo, you can book a flight to Dar es Salaam, a major coastal city, and travel across the country exploring magnificent sites. There’s the tallest mountain in Africa - Kilimanjaro, the Zanzibar archipelago with sandy beaches, birdwatchers' paradise in Lake Manyara, and Selous Game Reserve - the largest wildlife reserve in Africa. While the sightseeing is wonderful, with tonnes of places to see and things to do in Tanzania, remember to carefully submit the Tanzania visa application form to avoid visa rejection.

Yes, Indian nationals need a visa for Tanzania for leisure, study, business, etc. purposes. India is excluded from the visa-exempt countries, so you need to obtain a Tanzania visa before or upon arrival.

Before visiting the country, you have two options to obtain a Tanzania visa. You can apply for a visa to Tanzania online via the official eVisa portal or obtain a visa on arrival at any airport in Tanzania.

With a Tanzania visa for Indians, you can explore both the mainland and Zanzibar without obtaining a separate visa. However, to enter the island of Zanzibar, you will require travel insurance.

Tanzania visa on arrival for Indians

Tanzania is open to a visa on arrival for Indian nationals. India is on the Tanzania immigration list of nationalities who are eligible for both eVisa and visa on arrival. This type of Tanzania visa can be obtained at the official entry point. However, your entry into the country depends on whether you meet the immigration and visa requirements.

Documents to carry for Tanzania visa on arrival

• Valid passport with at least 6 months’ validity
• At least one unused blank visa page
• Return or onward flight ticket
• Proof of funds (at least 3 or 6 months of bank statements)
• Completed Tanzania visa application form
• Relevant supporting documents (for study, business, meeting, etc.)
• Tanzania visa fee receipt

Tanzania eVisa for Indians

To visit the United Republic of Tanzania, Indian nationals are required to obtain a Tanzania eVisa online from the official website. An eVisa is recommended, as it is easier to obtain and it allows you to know whether your visa is confirmed or rejected before travelling to Tanzania. You need to select the appropriate visa based on your purpose and complete the form.

Documents to carry for Tanzania eVisa

• Valid passport with at least 6 months’ validity
• At least one unused blank visa page
• Return or onward flight ticket
• Proof of funds (at least 3 or 6 months of bank statements)
• Completed Tanzania visa application form
• Relevant supporting documents (for study, business, meeting, etc.)
• Tanzania visa fee receipt

Tanzania has two types of visas: Visa on Arrival and eVisa. See the table below to understand the difference.

To apply for a Tanzania visa, you can visit the official government website and fill in the Tanzania visa application form, or apply through any authorised agency. If you are applying for a Tanzania visa for Indians, here are the steps:

• Visit the official Tanzania government website.
• Click the link below to apply for a new visa.
• Fill in the required information with email and passport number.
• Save the application ID for future reference.
• Provide personal information such as:
• Contact details
• Physical address
• Employment details
• Passport information
• Travel information, etc
• Make sure the information provided matches the information given on your passport.
• Upload passport-size photographs (no larger than 500 KB).
• Review everything and complete the declaration.
• Pay the Tanzania visa fee online.
• After submission, you will receive an email with confirmation for the Tanzania visa.
• Download the Tanzania visa confirmation and carry it when travelling to Tanzania.

You can easily track your Tanzania visa status by visiting the official website and heading to ‘Check Visa Status.’ This section is for applicants who have applied for visas. You will need to mention your application ID, email, security question and answer.

To visit Zanzibar, there is a separate inbound travel insurance requirement in addition to the Tanzania visa. It is an additional step from the Tanzania eVisa for Indians. It is mandatory to purchase the insurance online from the official portal before travelling to Tanzania.

Zanzibar is an island region of Tanzania; it requires separate travel insurance because it has its own tourism administration. Travellers can choose between individual, family, group or student.

There are various types of visas for Tanzania, depending on your purpose of travel. Their details are given below:

The Tanzania tourist visa is issued for a single entry for Indian citizens. It allows an individual to explore the popular cities like Dar es Salaam and the island of Zanzibar (additional insurance).

Documents required for Tanzania tourist visa:

Indian travellers visiting Tanzania on a tourist visa generally need to carry the following documents:

• Valid Indian passport with at least 6 months' validity.
• Completed Tanzania visa application form.
• Recent passport-size photograph no larger than 500 KB.
• Flight itinerary (return flight tickets).
• Proof of accommodation in the city.
• Bank statement (at least three months).
• Signed notarised consent letter for minors under 18.

The Tanzania multiple visas are useful for individuals who enter the country several times. The visit could be for either business or foreign investment.

Documents required for Tanzania multiple visa:

Indian travellers visiting Tanzania on a multiple-entry visa generally need to carry the following documents:

• Valid Indian passport with at least 6 months' validity.
• Completed Tanzania visa application form.
• Recent passport-size photograph no larger than 500 KB.
• Flight itinerary (return flight tickets).
• Proof of accommodation in the city.
• Bank statement (at least three months).
• Evidence of frequent travel to Tanzania.

Tanzania business visa is valid for an individual coming for a short-term business activity or assignment for a company in Tanzania.

Documents required for Tanzania business visa:

Indian travellers visiting Tanzania on a business visa generally need to carry the following documents:

• Valid Indian passport with at least 6 months' validity.
• Completed Tanzania visa application form.
• Recent passport-size photograph no larger than 500 KB.
• Flight itinerary (return flight tickets).
• Proof of accommodation in the city.
• Bank statement (at least three months).
• Invitation letter from the company.
• Proof of work to be carried out in Tanzania.

The transit visa for Tanzania is granted to those who have an onward flight and require a layover in the city.

Documents required for Tanzania transit visa:

Indian travellers visiting Tanzania on a transit visa generally need to carry the following documents:

• Valid Indian passport with at least 6 months' validity.
• Completed Tanzania visa application form.
• Entry visa for the end destination (if a visa is required for that country).
• Recent passport-size photograph no larger than 500 KB.
• Flight itinerary (onward flight tickets).
• Bank statement (at least three months).
• Applicable visa fee.

Student visa for Tanzania is provided only for academic purposes. During this period of stay in the country, an individual is not permitted to work. Internship comes under the student visa for Indians. 

Documents required for Tanzania student visa:

Indian travellers visiting Tanzania on a student visa generally need to carry the following documents:

• Valid Indian passport with at least 6 months' validity.
• Completed Tanzania visa application form.
• Cover letter from the institution/college (or specific field of study)
• Recent passport-size photograph no larger than 500 KB.
• Flight itinerary (open return ticket).
• Bank statement (at least three months).
• Academic transcript.
• Additional supporting documents (if requested).

There might be a few reasons why your Tanzania visa got rejected. Most of the time, your Tanzania visa can get rejected due to incorrect information or missing documents. Here are some of the Tanzania visa rejection reasons:

• Wrong visa type: Choosing the wrong visa can lead to rejection. For example, if you choose a tourist visa for business in Tanzania, it can lead to rejection.
• Incorrect information: Inconsistencies in details can lead to your Tanzania visa being rejected. Make sure to carefully check all information for tourism or education properly before submitting the Tanzania visa application form.
• Missing travel documents: If you provide your visa form with the wrong document or missing travel documents, it could lead to either rejection or a long wait for visa confirmation. Make sure you have a proper flight itinerary, accommodation, etc.
• Passport requirements: Your Tanzania visa can also be rejected if you have less than six months of validity and do not have one unused page at the end of your passport book.
• Not suitable photograph: Sometimes, even a minor mistake can lead to your Tanzania visa rejection. Tanzania visa requires a coloured photograph with a plain background. The file should not exceed 500 KB when uploading online.
• Incomplete information: Submitting incomplete information can lead to a visa rejection. It is recommended to gather all supporting documents before uploading for submission.
• Not providing specific documents: To visit Zanzibar, additional travel insurance is required. Along with that, a multiple-entry visa may need an invitation letter and proof of relationship. Failing to display the proof can lead to your visa rejection.

After your Tanzania visa is approved, most of your worries are over. However, it does not guarantee entry into the country; the final deciding factor lies with the immigration officer at the Tanzania entry points. The officer will check your documents to ensure the entry requirements are met.

• Check the Tanzania visa details: Check your information on the Visa Grant Notice, such as passport number, visa category, and travel dates.
• Download and print the Visa Grant Notice: Once your Tanzania visa is approved, you will receive a confirmation email. You can download and print the Visa Grant Notice from the official Tanzania eVisa portal.
• Keep your return or onward flight ticket with you: Make sure to keep your travel documents close to you; Tanzania immigration may ask to see the return ticket upon arrival.
• Carry a printed copy of your supporting documents: Keep your supporting documents close to you, such as hotel booking confirmation, travel itinerary, proof of funds, along with your approved visa.
• Zanzibar travel insurance: If your travel itinerary includes a visit to the island, make sure you have the mandatory inbound travel insurance.
• Travel within visa validity period: Do not stay beyond the given date of the visa expiry, as it could lead to legal troubles for you.