After several days of doubt as to whether the issuance of visas on arrival in Tanzania would be suspended, the authorities confirm that this possibility is maintained, but encourage visitors to apply for an e-Visa.
For several days now, many travelers have been contacting VisasNews to find out whether Tanzania will maintain the possibility of obtaining a visa on arrival in the country after November 30, 2024.
This uncertainty follows the circulation of a note from the Tanzanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the country’s diplomatic missions, dated November 1, a copy of which VisasNews was able to obtain.
In this circular, which does not bear the name or signature of its author, Tanzanian diplomacy states that it “intends to suspend the issuance of visa on arrival service by 30th November, 2024 with the aim of strengthening Online Visa Application Service (e-VISA) and efficiency”.
Travelers and Tanzanian embassies in doubt…
A few days before the diffusion of this note, the Tanzanian Embassy in Sweden announced on its social networks that the issuance of visas on arrival would be suspended, and that electronic visa would become the only way to obtain a visa.
For its part, the Tanzanian Embassy in Germany asked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to disseminate these potential new visa procedures to the relevant authorities, so that travellers could be promptly informed.
Adding further uncertainty to the perplexity of international travelers, since November 4, the portal for issuing e-Visa for Tanzania has been inaccessible, preventing all online visa applications…
Tanzania “has not stopped Visa on Arrival options”
Late on Tuesday November 5, Tanzania’s Immigration Department clarified the situation, reassuring travelers.
Immigration confirms in a Public Notice that “the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania has not stopped Visa on Arrival options” and assures that “this facility is available at all entry points for eligible travelers”.
Despite the maintenance of this entry solution, the authorities recommend that “all travellers wishing to visit the United Republic of Tanzania for various purposes apply for a Visa in advance through the online portal at https://visa.immigration.go.tz”.
The Immigration Department explains that “applying for a Visa online reduces the clearance time and unnecessary delay uppon arrival” and pledges to providing “better services to clients who come to Tanzania for various activities”.
The e-Visa, ideal for visiting mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar
In further good news for foreign visitors, the e-Visa system has been back up and running since the very end of yesterday.
The e-Visa for Tanzania is a digital travel permit that international visitors can obtain online prior to departure. The system simplifies the visa process for those wishing to visit Tanzania, whether for tourism, business or other reasons.
Accessible via the official visa.immigration.go.tz portal, the e-Visa is valid for 90 days from the date of issue and authorizes a stay in Tanzania, as well as Zanzibar, of up to 90 days.
Since October 1, 2024, travelers to Zanzibar have been required to take out mandatory travel insurance, underwritten by the government-run Zanzibar Insurance Corporation and priced at US$44.
