Delays in Tanzania eVISA Processing
Since May 2025, several of our (Monkey Adventures) clients have reported delays in the processing of Tanzania’s electronic visas (eVISAs). These delays have affected tourists, with some applications taking considerably longer than the 1-2 weeks turnaround time for Normal Processing. As a result, many applicants are receiving approvals just days, or even hours, before their scheduled departure, causing unnecessary stress and travel uncertainty. Considering the situation, this article suggests recommendations to our clients to ensure a smooth and seamless VISA processing experience.
Our Recommendation: Apply for a Visa on Arrival
To avoid complications, we strongly advise our clients who are eligible for a visa on arrival to opt for this method instead of the eVISA, especially if travelling in the next few months. The visa on arrival process is straightforward, and most international airports in Tanzania (including Kilimanjaro, Dar es Salaam, and Zanzibar) have designated counters to facilitate this.
Note: This advice does not apply to clients from countries that require a referral visa. Such travelers must continue applying through the official eVISA system well in advance, as their visas cannot be issued upon arrival. The list of the countries whose citizens DO NOT require a visa and those that need referral visa can be found in the link below: https://visa.immigration.go.tz/guidelines#
How to Get a Visa on Arrival
You can click here to know important information regarding Tanzanian VISA. The following process must be followed for a VISA on arrival:
- Present your valid passport (at least 6 months before expiry and at least one unused visa page)
- Bring $50 USD (or $100 USD for U.S. citizens) in cash for the visa fee
- Fill out a short form at the immigration counter
- Receive your visa and proceed through entry
What To Do if You Have Already Applied for an eVISA
If you have already applied for an eVISA, we suggest you wait until 3 weeks are left for your travel date. Although there are some delays in the timelines, most travelers are still receiving their eVISAs. If you don’t have your eVISA until 3 weeks are left for you to begin your journey,, try to contact the nearest Tanzanian embassy from your location or the Tanzania immigration office in Dodoma ( +255 2850575, 2850576, 2850569, visatanzania@immigration.go.tz, info@immigration.go.tz). If the above options don’t work, please share with us your eVISA application number during the week before your arrival in Tanzania, and we will try to contact the immigration department and see if they can speed up your VISA processing. If that still doesn’t work, please keep the records of your payment details handy and board your flight. On arrival, go to the eVISA line and share with the immigration officer your application number and payment proof. Your Visa should then be approved without requiring additional payment.
Final Note
If your eVISA is delayed, do not worry. It is being delayed for most clients currently and you can expect to receive it before your departure but even otherwise, you can still board your flight and present your application number and payment proof record to the immigration official and your visa will be approved on arrival without additional payment.
If you haven’t yet applied for eVISA, we recommend you to not apply for it and opt for VISA on arrival (provided your passport is valid for 6+ months and you don’t need a referral visa based on your nationality). At Monkey Adventures, we want your safari in Tanzania to be smooth and stress-free from start to finish. Should you need any assistance or have questions about your visa status or eligibility, our professional sales team is here to help and guide you through the process.