Services for Foreign Nationals
Foreigners seeking to enter the United Republic of Tanzania should be in the possession of valid passports or any other travel document. The passport or any other travel document is to be presented to the Immigration Control Officer at any entry point, such as Border station, Airport or Harbour. The travel document must be presented along with one of the following:
1. Entry Requirements
Foreigners seeking to enter the United Republic of Tanzania should be in the possession of valid passports or any other travel document. The passport or any other travel document is to be presented to the Immigration Control Officer at any entry point, such as Border station, Airport or Harbour. The travel document must be presented along with one of the following:
N.B: A visitor must also present an onward or return ticket together with proof that he/she has sufficient funds to support himself or her self while in Tanzania.
2. Visas
A visa is a permission granted to a foreigner who intends to enter into Tanzania for business, holiday, studies or conduct research or any other approved activities. Visas should be obtained at Tanzania Embassies/High Commissions abroad or at the entry point.
After entering the country, a visitor with a visa may then obtain from the Immigration Control Officer, a pass or any other authority to stay in the country.
3. Who Requires a Visa?
All foreigners from Non-Commonwealth Countries are required to have a valid visa unless their countries have a visa abolition agreement with Tanzania.
Citizens of Commonwealth countries are not required to obtain visa, unless they are citizens of the United Kingdom, Canada, Nigeria, India, Pakistan or The Republic of South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. However, the list may change from time to time.
4. Types of Visas
There are five types of visas valid for entry into Tanzania:
i. Ordinary Visa
An Ordinary Visa is issued at any Tanzania Mission abroad or at any official entry point into Tanzania boarder.
ii. Carrying on Temporary Assignment (CTA)
CTA is issued to prospective visitors who intend to visit Tanzania for purposes of making feasibility studies, establishing professional and business contacts, and making arrangements for investments during the start-up period. The validity of this visa is two months. This type of visa is issued at the entry point.
iii. Multiple entry Visa
Foreigners who, because of the nature of their business or investments, need to make frequent visits to the United Republic of Tanzania may be issued with Multiple- entry visa. The validity ranges from
(3) months to one year. Applications for multiple-entry visa are usually submitted to the Director of Immigration services by local contacts on behalf of the applicant
iv. Referred Visa
There are some countries which their nationals require special clearance from the Commissioner General of Immigration or the Commissioner of Immigration (Zanzibar) prior to issuance of the Visa. These countries fall under the Referral Visa Category. Applicants whose nationals fall under this category are not advised to book flight tickets or make payments for any reservations in Tanzania before they get approval for their Visa. Applicants of Referral Visa are advised to apply at least two months before their date of travel.
Note: Refugees who hold Vienna Convention documents are also required to obtain referral visa prior to coming to Tanzania.
For more information kindly visit Service for Foreign Nationals
Tanzania National Services
The information below is provided to assist Tanzanian Nationals traveling or living abroad and to inform them of measures to take in case of any eventuality.
1. It should be noted that Passports are not issued at Tanzanian Missions but rather at the Immigration Department, Dar es Salaam.
2. Procedures for Application and Issuance of New Passports.
Application for a new passport is lodged by the applicant at the Immigration Headquarters, Zanzibar and or any Regional or District Immigration Office where the applicant resides.
3. Documents to be Submitted to Support Application for a New Passport
Any application for a passport shall be accompanied by:
In case of the applicant who is below the age of 16 years, the parent’s or legal guardian’s written consent.
4. Persons Entitled to Passport or Travel Documents
5. Visa Requirements
Tanzanian Nationals may require entry visa to enter some countries.
Some countries may require International Health Certificates of Vaccination against certain diseases like yellow fever, especially if the country one is traveling from is within the yellow fever zone.
Please check with your health
6. Issuance of an Emergency Traveling Document (ETD)
An Emergency Travel Document may be issued to a citizen of the United Republic who is traveling on an Emergency journey and does not fulfill the normal requirements of getting a passport. A person who is stranded abroad and cannot get a passport or is being deported back home. Such document are issued at Tanzania Missions
The cost of an emergency travel document is:
7. Lost or Stolen Passport/Travel Document
In case of loss of passport/travel document, please contact the Tanzania Embassy/High Commission. A police report of the stolen passport should be submitted at the Mission for further processes.
8. Registration of Tanzanian Nationals
Tanzania Nationals living abroad are strongly advised to register themselves at the nearest Tanzania Embassy/High Commission. Click here to register
9. Emergency
In the case of emergency please contact the nearest Tanzania Embassy/High Commission, Consul General Office of Honorary Consul Office.
The address list can be accessed at the following link: Tanzania Foreign Missions and Embassies
In the event of death of Tanzanian National abroad, the next of kin should inform the nearest Tanzania Mission.
10. Birth Certificates
Birth certificates are only issued by Registrar of Insolvency Trustee Agency (RITA).
Tanzanians living abroad may contact the Tanzania Embassy/High Commission for assistance.
In Zanzibar:
Application for Replacement of Passport.
Where a holder’s passport is lost, stolen or severely damaged an application for replacement shall be accompanied by sworn declaration of the circumstances surrounding the loss, theft or damage of the passport and authority to which the loss, theft or damage was reported.
Revocation of Passports and Travel Documents
The Commissioner of Immigration Services at any time can revoke the passport or travel documents granted or issued to the holder if:-
Legalisation of Documents
MFAIC Legal Unit and Department in Zanzibar Tanzanian Missions can assist in legalizing the following documents