The Tanzanian passport ranks 69th globally on the Henley Passport Index as of 2025. It gives holders visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to approximately 71 countries and territories.
That places Tanzania in the mid-range among African passports. Kenya and South Africa rank higher. Rwanda has climbed significantly in recent years due to its open visa policies.
Source: Henley Passport Index; Wikipedia – Visa Requirements for Tanzanian Citizens.
The numbers vary slightly depending on the index. VisaGuide’s Passport Index lists 50 visa-free destinations. Get Golden Visa counts 73 when including visa-on-arrival options. The difference comes down to how each index categorises visa on arrival and eVisa access.
What matters for you as a traveller is the practical breakdown: which countries let you in without applying for anything beforehand, which give you a visa at the airport, and which need an online application first.
If you are comparing your travel options with other passport holders, see our Sri Lankan passport visa-free countries or Bahrain passport visa-free countries pages.
In this article…
Visa-Free Countries for Tanzanian Citizens
These are countries and territories where Tanzanian passport holders can enter without any visa or prior online application. You show your passport at the border, get stamped in, and proceed.
Africa
- Benin (90 days)
- Botswana (90 days)
- Burundi (visa-free under EAC)
- Eswatini (30 days)
- Gambia (90 days)
- Ghana (90 days)
- Guinea (90 days)
- Kenya (visa-free under EAC)
- Lesotho (14 days)
- Madagascar (30 days)
- Malawi (90 days)
- Mauritius (90 days)
- Mozambique (30 days)
- Rwanda (visa-free under EAC)
- Senegal (90 days)
- Seychelles (3 months)
- South Sudan (visa-free under EAC)
- Uganda (visa-free under EAC)
- Zambia (90 days)
- Zimbabwe (90 days)
Source: EAC – Visa Free Entry; Wikipedia – Visa Requirements for Tanzanian Citizens.
💡 Tip: EAC member state citizens do not need visas to travel within the bloc. Carry your national passport. An East African Passport (6-month validity) is also accepted for regional travel.
Asia
- Bangladesh (90 days)
- Iran (15 days)
- Malaysia (90 days)
- Philippines (30 days)
- Singapore (30 days)
Caribbean and Americas
- Barbados (6 months)
- Dominica (21 days)
- Ecuador (90 days)
- Haiti (3 months)
- St. Vincent and the Grenadines (30 days)
- Trinidad and Tobago (90 days)
- Micronesia (30 days)
- Vanuatu (30 days)
If you hold a valid visa or residence permit from the US, UK, Canada, or a Schengen state, additional countries may also admit you without a separate visa.
This includes Albania, the Dominican Republic, Georgia, Mexico, Montenegro, and others. Each has its own conditions. Check the specific country’s policy before travelling.
For a general explanation of how this entry method works, see our page on how visa on arrival works.
💡 Tip: Buy travel health insurance before your trip.
Check out popular travel insurance plans and choose one that suits you.
Most plans only cost less than $20 a day.
Visa on Arrival Countries
These countries issue a visa at the airport or land border when you arrive. You typically fill out a form, pay a fee in cash (usually USD), and receive a stamp or sticker in your passport.
- Armenia (120 days, eVisa also available)
- Cambodia (30 days)
- Comoros (45 days)
- Djibouti
- Ethiopia (available at Addis Ababa Bole Airport only)
- Guinea-Bissau (90 days)
- Laos (30 days)
- Maldives (30 days)
- Mauritania (at Nouakchott Airport)
- Mozambique (30 days)
- Nepal (90 days)
- Palau (30 days)
- Samoa (60 days)
- Seychelles (3 months)
- Sierra Leone
- Somalia (at Mogadishu, Bosaso, Galcaio airports)
- Sri Lanka (30 days, eVisa also available)
- Timor-Leste (30 days)
- Togo (7 days)
- Tuvalu (30 days)
- Uganda (also visa-free for EAC, but VoA available as alternative)
Source: Wikipedia – Visa Requirements for Tanzanian Citizens; VisaGuide – Tanzanian Passport.
Fees vary. Cambodia charges $30. Nepal charges $30 for 15 days and $50 for 30 days. Maldives issues a free 30-day visa on arrival for all nationalities. Always carry passport photos and cash in USD as backup.
If you want to understand the difference between a visa on arrival and an eVisa, see our visa on arrival explainer.
💡 Tip: Not every border crossing accepts visa on arrival. Some countries restrict it to international airports only. Confirm the entry point before you travel.
eVisa Countries for Tanzanian Passport Holders
An eVisa requires an online application before travel. You fill out a form, upload documents, pay online, and receive approval by email. Print the approval letter and carry it when you board.
| Region | Countries |
|---|---|
| Africa | Cameroon, Cape Verde, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Kenya (ETA), Burkina Faso, Nigeria |
| Asia | Bahrain, India, Oman (conditions apply), Myanmar |
| Middle East | Qatar, Saudi Arabia (conditions apply) |
| Other | Australia (e600), Bhutan, Bolivia, Colombia, Cuba, El Salvador, Turkey |
Source: Wikipedia – Visa Requirements for Tanzanian Citizens; VisaGuide – Tanzanian Passport.
Some eVisas have conditions. India’s eVisa limits arrival to designated airports and seaports. Oman’s eVisa may require you to hold a GCC residence permit. Saudi Arabia’s eVisa has similar conditions depending on your residency status.
Always check the official eVisa portal of the destination country. Application fees typically range from $20 to $80 depending on the country.
For Indian eVisa details specifically, note that Tanzanian citizens can apply for the e-Tourist Visa, which allows up to two applications per calendar year.
If you plan to travel to Europe and need to apply for a Schengen visa, see our guide on Schengen visa processing times.
East African Community (EAC) Travel Privileges
Tanzania is a founding member of the East African Community. This gives Tanzanian citizens significant travel advantages within the bloc.
EAC member states: Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia, and Tanzania.
All EAC citizens (except DRC and Somalia, where implementation is still partial) can travel visa-free across the region.
Source: EAC – Visa Free Entry; EAC – Frequently Asked Questions.
Kenya now requires an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) for most visitors, but EAC citizens are handled separately under the free movement protocol. Rwanda offers visa-free access to all African nationals, not just EAC.
💡 Tip: An East African Passport can be used for travel within the EAC region. It has 6-month multiple-entry validity and simplifies border crossings.
Practical benefits for Tanzanians within the EAC:
- No visa fees at any EAC border (except DRC)
- Same entry rates as locals at tourist sites and accommodation
- Ability to use national ID cards for travel between Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda (though Tanzania nationals still need a passport)
- Right to drive personal vehicles across borders for up to 7 days without additional paperwork
The DRC and Somalia are newer members and have not fully aligned their visa policies with the rest of the bloc. DRC still requires a visa from Ugandan citizens, for example, despite both being EAC members.
For a different regional comparison, see how Bosnian passport holders benefit from their regional arrangements.
Countries That Need a Pre-Arranged Visa
For most of Europe, North America, and many parts of Asia, Tanzanian passport holders need to apply for a visa through an embassy, consulate, or visa application centre before travelling.
Major destinations requiring a visa:
- United States (B1/B2 tourist/business visa)
- United Kingdom (Standard Visitor Visa)
- All Schengen Area countries (Schengen visa)
- Canada (Temporary Resident Visa)
- Japan
- China (though some transit exemptions may apply)
- South Korea
- Brazil
- South Africa
For the US, the process involves a DS-160 form, visa interview, and biometrics. For more on this process, see our US visa application guide.
For the Schengen Area, you apply through the embassy of the main destination country. Standard processing takes 15 calendar days, though it can take longer during peak season. See our Schengen visa cost page for current fee details.
Improving Your Travel Access
Holding a valid visa or residence permit from certain countries can unlock additional destinations. This is sometimes called “visa piggybacking.”
With a valid US, UK, Canada, or Schengen visa or residence permit, Tanzanian citizens may gain visa-free or simplified entry to:
- Albania (no visa needed with valid multi-entry Schengen, UK, or US visa)
- Dominican Republic (visa-free with valid US, UK, Canada, or Schengen visa)
- Georgia (visa-free with valid Schengen, US, UK, or Canada visa)
- Mexico (visa-free with valid US, UK, Canada, Japan, or Schengen visa/residence)
- Montenegro (10 days with UAE residence permit)
- Oman (eVisa possible with GCC residence)
- Philippines (visa-free for 15 days with valid multi-entry US, UK, Canada, or Schengen visa)
- Turkey (eVisa possible with valid Schengen or US/UK/Ireland visa)
Source: Wikipedia – Visa Requirements for Tanzanian Citizens.
💡 Tip: If you already hold a valid Schengen or US visa, check whether your next destination offers visa-free entry based on that. It can save you an entire application process.
If this concept is new to you, our page explaining whether visa and passport are the same thing covers the basics.
Comparison: Visa-Free vs Visa on Arrival vs eVisa
| Feature | Visa-Free | Visa on Arrival | eVisa |
|---|---|---|---|
| Application before travel | None | None | Yes, online |
| Fee at entry | None | Paid at border (cash) | Paid online |
| Approval time | Instant | At immigration desk | 1 to 15 days before travel |
Visa-free is the easiest. You just show up. Visa on arrival requires cash and sometimes a wait at the counter. eVisas need advance planning but avoid embassy visits.
For countries where you need a full embassy visa, budget at least 3 to 6 weeks before your travel date. For Schengen specifically, apply no earlier than 6 months and no later than 15 days before travel.
See our Schengen visa documents guide if you are preparing an embassy application.
Travel Tips for Tanzanian Passport Holders
Passport validity: Most countries require at least 6 months of remaining validity beyond your planned stay. Some require blank pages for stamps. Always check before booking flights.
Travel insurance: Not mandatory everywhere but increasingly required, especially for Schengen applications (minimum €30,000 coverage) and some eVisa applications.
Yellow fever vaccination: Tanzania is a yellow fever risk country. Many destinations require proof of yellow fever vaccination (International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis) for entry. This is especially strictly enforced in Southern Africa and parts of Asia.
Carry cash in USD: For visa-on-arrival countries, USD is almost always the preferred currency for fee payment. Small bills ($50, $20) are useful.
💡 Tip: Get your yellow fever certificate before you travel. Some countries will refuse entry outright if you cannot prove vaccination, even if you have a valid visa.
For general guidance on why visa applications fail, see our visa refusal reasons page.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many countries can Tanzanians visit without a visa?
Approximately 50 countries offer visa-free entry. Including visa on arrival, the total rises to about 71, depending on the index used.
Do Tanzanian citizens need a visa for Kenya?
No. Kenya and Tanzania are both EAC member states. Tanzanians can enter Kenya without a visa.
Can I travel within the EAC using a national ID card?
Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda accept national ID cards from each other’s citizens. Tanzania has not yet implemented this. Tanzanians need a passport or East African Passport for EAC travel.
Do I need a visa for South Africa?
Yes. South Africa requires Tanzanian citizens to apply for a visa before travel.
Can a Schengen visa help me visit other countries?
Yes. A valid multi-entry Schengen visa can grant you visa-free or simplified access to Albania, Georgia, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Turkey, and others.
Is there an East African tourist visa?
There is an East Africa Tourist Visa that covers Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda on a single visa for non-EAC visitors. As a Tanzanian, you do not need it because you travel visa-free within the EAC.
How long can I stay in Malaysia without a visa?
Tanzanian citizens can stay in Malaysia for up to 90 days without a visa.
💡 Tip: Buy travel health insurance before your trip.
Check out popular travel insurance plans and choose one that suits you.
Most plans only cost less than $20 a day.
Disclaimer
Visa rules change. Fast.
The information on this page reflects the latest data available as of February 2026. Countries can change their visa policies at any time, sometimes without advance notice.
Always confirm requirements on the official immigration website of your destination country before booking travel.
This page is for general guidance and is not legal advice. VisitVisaGuide.com is not affiliated with any government, embassy, or consulate.
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