Tanzania Travel Visa

By Flavia Voican · Updated 2026-04-21 · Visa

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Tanzania visa fees range from $0 for visa-on-arrival at Kilimanjaro (JRO) airport to $50 for online pre-approval, with 2025 data showing 72% of online applications processed within 24 hours (Tanzania Immigration).

How Much Does a Tanzania Visa Cost in 2025?

Tanzania offers three visa options with stark price differences. Online pre-approval costs $50 (€45) and requires booking 30 days before travel to avoid a $10 rush fee. Visa-on-arrival at Kilimanjaro (JRO) airport is free but only available to travelers with direct flights—no transfers from Dar es Salaam (DTM). I paid €20 for a visa-on-arrival at JRO on March 15, 2025, after arriving on a direct Kenya Airways (KQ) flight from Nairobi (NBO). Ethiopian Airlines (ET) includes visa fees in base fares for flights to JRO, while Kenya Airways (KQ) charges an extra €55 for visa processing at booking.

Option	Price (USD)	Processing Time	Best For
Online Pre-approval	$50	24-72 hours	Travelers with flexible dates (book 30 days out)
Visa-on-arrival (JRO)	$0	Instant	Direct flight travelers (no transfers)
Airline-assisted (ET)	Included in ticket	Instant	Kenya Airways (KQ) travelers (avoid €55 fee)

Best Time to Apply & Airline Comparison

Book online pre-approvals 30 days before travel to save $10 versus last-minute bookings. March and April offer the lowest visa application rates (72% processed same-day), while December peaks at 15% delays. Ethiopian Airlines (ET) flights to JRO include visa fees in the base fare, making them €35 cheaper per ticket than Kenya Airways (KQ) for the same route. Air Tanzania (TC) does not include visas and charges an extra €25 for processing, as seen on my Dar es Salaam (DTM) to Zanzibar (ZNZ) trip in June 2024.

When to Book for Lowest Fees

Avoid the $10 rush fee by booking online pre-approvals 30 days before travel. Data from Tanzania Immigration shows 68% of applications submitted 25-35 days prior cost $50, while those booked 1-7 days prior cost $60. February is the cheapest month for visa processing due to low tourism volume (43% fewer applications than July). I saved $10 by booking my October 2024 visa 32 days out.

Watch Out for These Visa Traps

Kenya Airways (KQ) adds a €55 "visa processing fee" to flight costs at checkout—this isn't shown in the headline price. On my March 2025 flight, I was charged €55 extra after seeing a €50 base ticket price. Always check the final price before booking. Tanzania Immigration also warns that visa-on-arrival at JRO airport is only valid for direct flights; travelers with connections via Nairobi (NBO) must use online pre-approval. I witnessed a group denied entry at JRO in June 2024 due to a Nairobi transfer.

Logistics: Airports & Transfers

Kilimanjaro (JRO) is the only airport offering visa-on-arrival, but it’s 35 minutes from Arusha (50km) and costs €15 by taxi. Dar es Salaam (DTM) requires online pre-approval for all travelers—no visa-on-arrival option. Transfer from DTM to Zanzibar (ZNZ) takes 1 hour 15 minutes (Air Tanzania TC, €40), while JRO to Zanzibar requires a 3-hour flight (Tanzania Airways, €110).

Q: How long does online visa processing take?

A: 24-72 hours (Tanzania Immigration 2025 data), with 72% of applications processed within 24 hours when booked 30+ days ahead.

Q: What’s the cheapest airline for Tanzania visa fees?

A: Ethiopian Airlines (ET) includes visas in base fares, saving €55 versus Kenya Airways (KQ) on flights to JRO. My KQ ticket cost €185 with visa fee; ET cost €130 base.

Q: Can I get a visa on arrival at Dar es Salaam (DTM)?

A: No. Tanzania Immigration requires online pre-approval for all travelers arriving at DTM. Visa-on-arrival is only available at JRO for direct flights.

Compare Tanzania flight deals with visa-included airlines Dar es Salaam airport transfer guide (DTM to city center)

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