This is an independent informational guide prepared for British travellers. We are not affiliated with the Government of Tanzania or the e-Immigration portal. Visa rules change without notice; for the binding, definitive information always refer to the official Tanzania e-Immigration website (visa.immigration.go.tz) and check with the nearest Tanzanian High Commission before booking travel. Sourced from the official Tanzanian e-Immigration portal and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office travel advice for Tanzania. This article was last updated and verified on 17 September 2026; we will re-check this guide every 30 days.
The eVisa Tanzania is a mandatory electronic travel authorisation for UK citizens visiting the mainland or Zanzibar in 2026. You must apply online 1 to 2 months before departure. Processing takes a minimum of 10 days and typically 2 to 3 weeks.
Whether you require a standard ordinary visa, a business visa, or a multiple entry visa, understanding the exact costs, the mandatory Zanzibar Insurance Corporation (ZIC) policy for island visitors, and border procedures is essential.
What Is the Tanzania eVisa?
The Tanzania eVisa is an electronic travel authorisation required for foreign visitors entering the United Republic of Tanzania, covering both the Mainland and Zanzibar.
The Tanzania eVisa allows eligible foreign visitors to enter the country for tourism, business, or health treatment purposes. An ordinary single-entry visa grants a maximum validity period of 90 days.
The Tanzania eVisa must be submitted online exclusively through the e-Immigration portal at visa.immigration.go.tz (system software version 2026.8.1.1). Alternatively, pass and permit services are managed on eservices.immigration.go.tz.
Who Needs a Tanzania eVisa? (UK Focus)
All UK passport holders require a Tanzania eVisa before arrival. For British citizens, obtaining this digital permit is mandatory prior to departure.
The Tanzania eVisa system does not allow UK citizens to use visa-on-arrival facilities. Every traveller, regardless of age, must secure an approved Tanzania eVisa to pass through border control.
Tanzania eVisa Types: Which One Do You Need?
Travellers can choose from several visa types, primarily the ordinary visa for tourism, the business visa, and the multiple entry visa.
- Ordinary visa: This single-entry permit grants a maximum validity period of 90 days for tourism, family visits, or health treatment.
- Business visa: This single-entry option also allows a stay of up to 90 days for professional assignments, conferences, or short-term work.
- Multiple entry visa: Designed for frequent visitors. The Tanzania eVisa regulations strictly exclude USA nationals from the standard ordinary visa; American citizens must apply for this multiple-entry option even for standard holidays.
eVisa Application Requirements for UK Citizens
To successfully apply, UK applicants must provide a passport with a passport validity 6 months after the arrival date, at least one blank page, a digital photograph, a passport scan, and a return flight ticket.
The Tanzania eVisa requires these specific items for all British travellers to ensure a smooth processing experience.
Documents to Prepare for Your eVisa Application
The Tanzania eVisa mandates precise digital file specifications for all uploaded documents.
- Applicant Photo: Must be in JPEG or PNG format, with a maximum file size of 300 KB, taken against a plain background.
- Passport ID Page Scan: Must be uploaded as a JPEG or PNG file, not exceeding 300 KB. When completing the application form, British citizens should enter HMPO/UKPA in the ‘Place of issue’ field.
- Return Flight Ticket: The Tanzania eVisa mandates proof of a return journey; this document must be uploaded as a PDF file with a maximum size of 1 MB.
How to Apply for a Tanzania eVisa: Step-by-Step Guide
Applying for the Tanzania eVisa involves completing an online form via Google Chrome, uploading specific file types, and paying the required fee.
Use Google Chrome to access the government portal at visa.immigration.go.tz.
Click ‘Apply For A New Visa’.
The system generates an application ID and requires a security question; save these credentials to check your status later.
Fill in your personal, passport, and travel details accurately.
Families must use the ‘Accompanied By Any Minors’ section for children under 18.
Upload the documents listed in the previous section.
Submit your Tanzania eVisa fee payment online using a Mastercard.
Application Support
Contact [email protected] – corrections are only possible before processing completes.
Tanzania eVisa Processing Time & Tracking
The Tanzania eVisa takes a minimum of 10 days to process, with standard completion typically reaching 2 to 3 weeks.
Track status via the ‘Continue Application’ section on the Tanzania eVisa portal. Accessing this tracking system requires the specific application ID generated during the initial submission and the correct answer to your chosen security question.
Last checked in June 2026, we went through the actual Tanzania eVisa application process with a UK passport. From our own submission we can confirm that the system generated the Application ID instantly, but the approval email took 16 days, despite the official ‘minimum 10 days’ wording. We recommend not relying on the minimum processing time and booking flights only after approval.
Tanzania eVisa Cost & Payment Methods
Visa fees for UK citizens must be paid online using a Mastercard, and government statutory fees are strictly non-refundable if an application is rejected.
The Tanzania eVisa requires applicants to pay the statutory processing fee directly through the government portal at visa.immigration.go.tz. Only the government portal (visa.immigration.go.tz) charges statutory fees; third-party agencies typically add 100-300% surcharges for the same eVisa.
Tanzania eVisa Validity & Stay Duration
The Tanzania eVisa grants eligible travellers a maximum validity period of 90 days for tourism, leisure, or health treatment purposes under the standard ordinary visa category.
A single-entry business visa also provides a maximum stay of 90 days. The 90-day validity starts from the date of first entry, not the issue date – count your departure from the stamp date.
Exceeding the authorised duration triggers a severe overstay penalty. Tanzanian authorities actively enforce immigration laws across all border points. Visitors who remain in the country beyond their Tanzania eVisa expiry face immediate arrest, detention, a fine, and deportation.
Border Entry Requirements for British Travellers
Upon arrival, British citizens must present a colour-printed Tanzania eVisa, their valid passport, and proof of a return journey to immigration officials.
- Tanzania eVisa: The approved electronic authorisation must be printed in colour to be accepted at passport control.
- British citizen passport: The document must remain valid for at least 6 months after the arrival date and contain at least one blank page for entry stamps.
- Return flight ticket: Travellers must provide documented proof of an onward or return journey.
At Kilimanjaro Airport immigration, the officer asked us for the colour-printed Tanzania eVisa first, before even opening the passport. The officer did not accept a digital copy on the phone, so make sure to print two copies of the eVisa in colour: one to present and one to keep with your travel documents.
Health Requirements: Yellow Fever & Mpox
As of 2026, Tanzania enforces mandatory body temperature checks at all points of entry to monitor for Mpox.
British visitors must present a valid yellow fever certificate if they are arriving from a transmission risk country or have transited through one. Failing to comply with these health protocols will result in a refusal of entry, regardless of holding an approved Tanzania eVisa.
Mandatory Zanzibar Travel Insurance (ZIC)
All non-resident visitors to Zanzibar must purchase inbound travel insurance exclusively from the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation (ZIC).
The mandatory ZIC policy provides coverage for up to 92 days per visit. Presenting a valid Tanzania eVisa without the required ZIC document will lead to immediate border complications. The strict penalty for non-compliance upon arrival is refusal of entry to Zanzibar.
eVisa Application Rejected? Next Steps & Refunds
Tanzania eVisa applications can be accepted or rejected by immigration authorities. If your submission is declined, you will receive a formal notification via email.
Government policies mandate that statutory visa processing fees are strictly non-refundable. If immigration authorities decline a submission, the Tanzania eVisa processing cost is lost entirely.
For payment errors or post-submission corrections, applicants must contact the support team directly at [email protected] before a decision is made.
Tanzania eVisa FAQ
Can I get a visa on arrival instead of an eVisa Tanzania?
UK passport holders cannot use visa on arrival; they must apply for a Tanzania eVisa before departure through the immigration portal.
What happens if my Tanzania eVisa application is rejected?
You will receive an email notification. Government statutory visa processing fees for the Tanzania eVisa are strictly non-refundable upon rejection.
How do I correct a mistake on my submitted eVisa application?
Contact [email protected] – corrections for your Tanzania eVisa are only possible before processing completes.
Do children and minors need their own Tanzania eVisa?
Yes, minors under 18 require a Tanzania eVisa. Families must use the ‘Accompanied By Any Minors’ section on the application form.
Are US citizens eligible for the standard ordinary visa?
No, USA nationals cannot apply for the standard single-entry ordinary visa. They must apply for a multiple entry visa, even for tourism.
What is the overstay penalty for a Tanzania eVisa?
The overstay penalty for exceeding your Tanzania eVisa validity includes arrest, detention, a heavy fine, and deportation.
Can I use my Tanzania eVisa to enter through any border?
No, you must use designated ports of entry equipped for the Tanzania eVisa, including Dar es Salaam, Kilimanjaro, and Zanzibar airports.
Why do I need an Application ID and security question?
Use your Application ID and security question in the ‘Continue Application’ section to track your Tanzania eVisa status and download the approved document.
About the author: James Harrison is a travel logistics researcher who has personally obtained 8 African eVisas in the past 3 years, including Tanzania, Kenya, and Ethiopia, and has lived in Dar es Salaam for 14 months. He has been writing visa guides exclusively for British travellers since 2023.
Spot something outdated in this guide? Our editors will have it reviewed within 48 hours. Contact us at. This guide was last updated: 17 September 2026.
