SHORT-TERM VISA

It is a type of visa issued to a foreigner national who enters the United Republic of Tanzania only for the purpose of tourism, business, seasonal work, attending conference, family visit, leisure’s, among others. This kind of Visa is only issued for a period not exceeding ninety (90) days. Things to note here; this kind of visa does not provide full access to a foreigner national to enter the United Republic of Tanzania because Visa is not only a final authority or requirement for a person to enter territories of the United Republic of Tanzania.

The Immigration officers at the entry point may require other additional requirements other than Visa for a person to enter the United Republic of Tanzania. In some circumstances, the immigration officer may refuse a foreign person to enter the territories of the United Republic of Tanzania if the holder of the Visa is unable to fulfil immigration entry requirements or if they satisfy that, the presence of such person or visitors into the United Republic of Tanzania would jeopardises National security.

Business Visa:

This Visa is issued only for a period not exceeding ninety (90) days to a foreign national who wish to enter the territory of the United Republic of Tanzania only for purpose of;-

1. To conduct special assignments such as fixing/repairing machines or to run short term training, etc.
2. To conduct short time professional roles such as auditing accounts, making feasibility studies, establishing professionals and business contacts, planning for investments during the start-up period etc.
3. To conduct any other short term lawful business-related task recognised by the laws of the country and as may be determined by the issuing authority.

Requirement for Business Visa:

Any foreign national who wish to acquire Business Visa should be accompanied with the following: –

1. Copy of the applicant’s valid passport (biographic data page).
2. Return ticket of the flight.
3. 250 USD visa fee.
4. A work contract or any proof of the work/assignment to be performed within a period not exceeding three months.

Ordinary Visa (Single Entry Visa):

This visa is granted to foreign national for the purposes of Visit, Tourism, Leisure, Holiday, attending Conference, Humanitarian and charity activities, Family Visit, Health Treatment or any other purpose as may be determined by the issuing authority. Its validity does not exceed 90 days for a single entry.

Requirement for Ordinary (Single Entry) Visa:

Any foreigner national who wish to apply for Ordinary Visa should be accompanied with the following: –

1. Copy of the applicant’s valid passport (biographic data page).
2. Return ticket of the flight.
3. Dully filled in declaration form.
4. 50 USD visa fee.

Gratis Visa:

This visa may be issued for a single entry or multiple entries to a holder of diplomatic, services or official passport or travel document of a recognized International Organization who is on official duty and their Dependents. It can be also issued to a holder of ordinary passport or Travel document as it may be directed by the Commissioner General of Immigration and Commissioner of Immigration Zanzibar.

Transit Visa:

Transit Visa is issued to the foreign nationals who transit through Tanzania to other destinations outside the United Republic of Tanzania for a period not exceeding 7 days. Transit Visa is issued only to assist a foreign national who travels from one place to another to pass-through Tanzania and cannot be used as a Tourism Visa. Once a person wishes to apply for this visa, he may be required by the authorities to provide proof that he only intends to enter in Tanzania as a transit to another destination.

Requirements for Transit Visa:

1. Copy of the applicant’s valid passport (biographic data page).
2. 30 USD visa fee.
3. An entry visa or onward ticket to the intended country of destination.

Multiple Entry Visa:

This visa is issued to persons whose nature of their businesses or activities require them to make frequent visits to the United Republic of Tanzania for a period not exceeding one year. Such persons are like those who engage into Bilateral Meetings, Directors of a Company Incorporated in Tanzania but he/ she does not reside in Tanzania, Government Consultants, Spouses married to Tanzanian/Residents, Representative of International NGO’s and any other person who may be determined by the Commissioner General of Immigration or Commissioner of Immigration of Zanzibar to qualify for a Multiple Entry visa. Multiple Entry Visa, may in accordance with the Bilateral Agreement between Tanzania and the United States of America, be issued to an American Citizen who wishes to visit the United Republic of Tanzania for Holiday or Tourism.

Although the Multiple Entry Visa is only issued for a maximum period of 12 months, any holder of such Visa is not allowed to be in Tanzania for all the 12 months, but rather he/she is required to exit the country after every 3 months. However, the Multiple Visa is not intended for those visitors coming on business purposes such as those described under Business Visa category.

Requirements Multiple Visa:

1. Copy of the applicant’s valid passport (biographic data page).
2. 100 USD Visa fee.
3. Valid passport or national ID of the person to be visited in Tanzania (host)
4. A covering letter of the host Institution detailing the reasons and frequency of Visits.
5. Duly filled security bond
6. Attached Certificate of marriage of a spouse and a passport/national ID, if the applicant comes to visit a spouse.
7. Return ticket of the flight.

Student Visa:

This is granted to a foreign national who enters in Tanzania for the purpose of Academic Activities such as Research Student, EAC Students, Volunteering, Interns, Exchange Student (EAC and Exchange Students are free of charge) or Prospective Students admitted in recognized and legally registered Institutions. Student Visa is only issued for a maximum of two years only.

Requirements of Student Visa:

1. Copy of the applicant’s valid passport (biographic data page).
2. 50 USD, 250 USD or 550 USD Visa fee depending on the category and duration.
3. Covering letter from the host institution/college where the foreign student will be hosted, the letter must detail the course/field and duration of the programme to be attended.

Keynote Prior to Visa Application

1. Applicants must ensure that their passports have a validity of at least six months and at least one unused visa page before submitting their application. Applicant is expected to apply for a right category of visa.
2. If the applicant is not sure about the type of visa, he/she requires, he/she is advised to seek guidance before making such application.
3. Visitors who wish to come for holiday or Tourism are advised to apply for Ordinary Visa. However, holders of American passports who come for holiday or tourism will have to apply for Multiple Entry Visa.
4. Any visa wrongly applied, or which lacks sufficient attachment may be rejected
5. No refund will be made in respect of any rejected visa application.
6. The Visa applications will be processed within ten days; therefore, applicants are strongly advised to observe the stipulated time frame while making their applications.
7. Payment of Visa fee.
8. Approval of Visa Application.
9. Visa application can be rejected. And once Visa application is rejected, Tanzania Immigration Service Department shall provide a reason for the rejection of your Visa.

REJECTION OF VISA

There are no common reasons or grounds for rejection of Visa in Tanzania but common ground for rejection of Visa in Tanzania can be –

1. Not fulfilling the requirement of Visa
2. Not having required police clearance certificate. The importance of this certificate is to assure the Visa issuing country that you have no criminal records from the country you originate from.

Important Notice:

This publication has been prepared for information purposes only, and it does not constitute professional advice. You should not act upon the information contained in this publication without obtaining specific professional advice. No representation or warranty (express or implied) is given as to the accuracy or completeness of the information contained in this publication, and, to the extent permitted by law, Cymbell Attorneys, its members, employees and agents do not accept or assume any liability, responsibility or duty of care for any consequences of you or anyone else acting, or refraining to act, in reliance on the information contained in this publication or for any decision based on it.