Do Emirati Citizens Need a Tanzania Visa in 2026?

Quick answer: Yes. Emirati citizens travelling from the United Arab Emirates to Tanzania need to arrange an electronic visa, according to the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs' destination guidance, which lists an electronic visa for normal, official, special and diplomatic UAE passports. Tanzania's official Immigration Department lists the ordinary visa for tourism at USD 50.

The official Tanzanian research provided here does not publish a guaranteed processing time or a general visa-validity period for Emirati applicants. Apply through Tanzania's official immigration portal and confirm the current fee, processing position, visa validity and permitted stay before booking non-refundable travel.

Last checked July 2026 — always confirm with official sources before travelling.

Do Emirati citizens need a visa for Tanzania?

Yes. Emirati citizens need to apply for Tanzania's electronic visa for tourism and should complete the application before departure. The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs destination page records "Electronic Visa" for normal, diplomatic, special and official UAE passports.

This guide is for people travelling on a UAE passport. A residence permit in the United Arab Emirates does not by itself determine Tanzania's visa requirement; the relevant factor is the passport used for the journey. Travellers using another nationality's passport should check the rules for that passport separately.

Tanzania includes both mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar. Check that the visa application and the approved document cover the part of the United Republic of Tanzania you intend to visit, and use the same passport for the application, airline check-in and entry.

Tanzania visa types and who needs one

For a standard holiday, the relevant category is the Ordinary Visa. Tanzania's official fee chart describes the ordinary visa as the tourism visa and lists a fee of USD 50.

Visa category	Official fee listed by Tanzania	Typical relevance to an Emirati traveller
Ordinary Visa	USD 50	Tourism and ordinary visits, subject to the approved application
Multiple Visa	USD 100	Travellers who qualify for and require multiple entry
Business Visa	USD 250	Business travel rather than an ordinary safari holiday
Transit Visa	USD 30	Eligible transit journeys

These amounts come from Tanzania Immigration's published visa-fee chart. The correct category depends on the purpose and circumstances of the trip. Do not select a multiple-entry or business category simply because it appears in the online form.

The official guidelines also show a multiple or family-visit section and refer to a USD 100 visa fee in that context. Because visa categories and eligibility can differ, confirm the category and current amount on the official portal before payment rather than relying on a third-party website.

How to apply: step-by-step Tanzania eVisa process

1. Start at the official immigration portal

Use Tanzania Immigration's official online services portal, which provides a Visa Application option. The Tanzania eVisa guidelines are also hosted on the official immigration domain. Be cautious with sponsored or intermediary websites that add service charges or display a fee different from Tanzania Immigration's published government fee.

2. Select the purpose and visa category

Choose the category that matches the trip. A safari, beach holiday or Tanzania safari and Zanzibar packages itinerary should normally be assessed under the tourism/ordinary category, but the final category is determined by Tanzanian immigration rules and the information in the application. The official fee chart lists the ordinary tourism visa at USD 50.

3. Enter passport and travel details accurately

Complete the application using the exact biographical information shown on the passport. Check spelling, passport number, nationality, date of birth and dates before submitting. A mismatch between the application and the travel document can create problems at check-in or immigration, although the supplied official sources do not publish a rejection-rate statistic or a guaranteed remedy.

4. Upload the required documents

Tanzania's official eVisa guidelines list the following documents for the relevant application instructions:

• A copy of the valid passport's biographic-data page.
• A return flight ticket.
• A recent passport-size photograph.

The guidelines also mention a covering letter from the relevant government ministry or institution, or a covering letter from Tanzania's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation describing a bilateral agreement, in the section associated with specific application types. That document is not a routine holiday document unless the selected category or circumstances require it. Follow the document list generated for your application.

5. Prepare the photograph correctly

The official guidelines specify that the photograph must be coloured and have a plain background. It should show an unmounted, full-face, front-facing view from the top of the hair to the bottom of the chin, with eyes open and a natural expression. Shadows or distracting images on the face or background are not permitted.

The image must not exceed 45 mm by 35 mm, the uploaded file must not exceed 500 KB, and the file format must be JPG or JPEG. Head coverings are not permitted except for religious reasons; where a religious covering is worn, the facial features from the bottom of the chin to the top of the forehead and both edges of the face must remain clearly visible. Applicants who regularly wear glasses may take the photograph with glasses on, according to the guidelines.

6. Pay and save the application record

Pay the fee shown in the official application flow and retain the application reference, payment record and submitted documents. Tanzania Immigration's published chart lists USD 50 for an ordinary visa, USD 100 for a multiple visa, USD 250 for a business visa and USD 30 for a transit visa. Confirm the current fee on the official portal before paying because online totals can change and intermediary sites may add charges.

7. Wait for the official decision and travel with the approval

Keep the approved electronic visa available with the passport used in the application. The supplied official sources do not state whether a digital copy alone is always sufficient at every airline or border checkpoint. For that reason, carry an accessible printed copy as well as a digital backup, and confirm airline document requirements before departure.

Fees and payment for Emirati citizens

The government fee for the ordinary tourism visa is USD 50 in Tanzania Immigration's fee chart. The same chart lists USD 100 for a multiple visa, USD 250 for a business visa and USD 30 for a transit visa.

The official immigration page warns that an ordinary tourism visa fee higher than USD 50 may indicate that an applicant used an agent or an unauthorised link. This does not mean every application total will display exactly USD 50: an authorised service provider, card issuer or payment channel could potentially apply its own charge. Confirm the government fee and the final amount on the official portal before submitting payment.

Visa costs are separate from flights, accommodation, park fees and safari arrangements. For planning the wider trip budget, compare current Tanzania safari prices and seven-day safari costs separately from the immigration fee.

Processing times and visa validity

The research supplied for this article does not establish an official guaranteed processing time for Emirati applications. Some commercial websites publish estimated business-day ranges, but those estimates are not official Tanzania Immigration commitments. Do not rely on a specific number of days unless the official portal or immigration authority confirms it for your application.

Apply well before the intended departure date, allowing time to correct an incomplete photograph, replace an incorrect passport scan or respond to a request for additional information. Do not submit duplicate applications merely because a decision has not arrived unless the official portal or immigration authority instructs you to do so.

The supplied official research also does not state a single visa-validity period or maximum stay applicable to every Emirati tourist. Read the validity dates, entries and permitted stay printed on the approved visa. Those details control your travel; a website's general statement about a 30-, 60- or 90-day stay should not override the approval issued for your passport.

Arrival in Tanzania: what immigration may check

At check-in and on arrival, keep your UAE passport, approved electronic visa and return ticket accessible. The official eVisa guidelines require a copy of the passport biographic page and a return ticket as application documents. Immigration officers may also compare the traveller, passport details and visa information with the application.

Make sure the passport presented is the same document used for the eVisa. If the passport is replaced after approval, contact Tanzania Immigration or the relevant official authority before travelling to confirm whether a new application is required. The supplied sources do not specify a general passport-validity threshold or a blank-page requirement, so confirm those points on the official portal rather than assuming a particular number.

Transit, extensions and overstays

Tanzania's official fee chart lists a transit visa at USD 30. Whether a transit visa is required depends on the itinerary, whether the traveller leaves the airport and the applicable immigration rules. Ask the airline and Tanzania Immigration about the exact routing before departure, particularly when connecting through Tanzania to another country.

For an extension, change of purpose or longer stay, contact Tanzania Immigration before the authorised period ends. The supplied official research does not publish a general extension process, extension fee or overstay penalty for Emirati citizens. Never assume that a tourist visa can be extended automatically, and do not remain beyond the permitted date shown on the approval.

Common mistakes that can delay or jeopardise an application

• Using an unofficial link: begin with Tanzania Immigration's official portal and compare the displayed government fee with the official fee chart.
• Uploading the wrong photograph: check the plain background, full-face framing, JPG/JPEG format and maximum 500 KB file size.
• Submitting a cropped or incomplete passport scan: upload the biographic-data page requested by the official guidelines.
• Leaving without a return ticket: Tanzania's guidelines list a return ticket among the supporting documents.
• Choosing the wrong category: ordinary tourism, multiple entry, business and transit visas have different official fee entries.
• Relying on an online processing promise: the supplied official research does not guarantee a fixed number of days, so confirm the current position on the official portal.
• Assuming visa rules answer health questions: visa documentation and health-entry rules are separate. Check current official health guidance for recommended vaccinations for a Tanzania trip; SafariFind's Tanzania vaccination guide provides travel-planning context, but it is not a substitute for official medical advice.

Planning a safari after your visa application

Visa preparation is only one part of planning an African safari Tanzania itinerary. Once the immigration requirements are clear, compare safari packages on SafariFind by route, accommodation style, dates and included services. The best time to visit Serengeti depends on the wildlife experience and travel dates you want, so confirm seasonal details directly with your operator rather than treating visa guidance as a safari calendar.

For travellers combining wildlife viewing with the coast, check the itinerary carefully to ensure the return or onward ticket information used in the visa application remains consistent with the trip. Keep copies of the final itinerary and the approved visa in both digital and printed form.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Emirati citizens need a visa for Tanzania?

Yes. Emirati citizens should obtain a Tanzania electronic visa before travelling. The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs lists an electronic visa for normal, official, special and diplomatic UAE passports.

How much is a Tanzania tourist visa for Emirati citizens?

The ordinary tourism visa is listed at USD 50 by Tanzania Immigration. Confirm the current amount and final payment total on the official portal before applying.

Can Emirati citizens apply for a Tanzania eVisa online?

Yes. Tanzania Immigration provides an online visa application service, and its eVisa guidelines explain the supporting documents and photograph specifications.

How long does a Tanzania visa take for Emirati citizens?

The supplied official research does not guarantee a processing time for Emirati applications. Apply well before departure and check the application status through the official portal rather than relying on a commercial website's estimate.

What documents do Emirati citizens need for a Tanzania eVisa?

The official guidelines list a copy of the valid passport biographic page, a return flight ticket and a recent passport-size photograph. Additional documents can apply to particular visa categories.

What photo size is required for a Tanzania eVisa?

The photograph must not exceed 45 mm by 35 mm, the file must not exceed 500 KB, and the upload must be JPG or JPEG. The image must be coloured, front-facing and taken against a plain background.

Is a Tanzania visa on arrival available to Emirati citizens?

The official UAE destination guidance identifies an electronic visa for Emirati passport holders. Because the supplied official sources do not confirm a general visa-on-arrival option, arrange the eVisa before travel and verify any alternative directly with Tanzania Immigration.

How long is a Tanzania visa valid for Emirati citizens?

The supplied official research does not state one universal validity period for every Emirati tourist visa. Follow the validity dates, number of entries and permitted stay printed on the visa approval.

Do I need a return ticket for a Tanzania visa?

Yes, Tanzania's official eVisa guidelines list a return flight ticket among the required documents for the relevant application instructions.

What is the Tanzania transit visa fee?

Tanzania Immigration's official fee chart lists the transit visa at USD 30. Whether that category applies depends on the itinerary and immigration rules, so confirm before travelling.