Effective from November 30, the Tanzanian government has announced the discontinuation of visas on arrival at airports, requiring travelers to obtain an e-Visa before departure.
To all residents and travelers planning to visit Tanzania:
Previously, visitors could apply for a visa on arrival at airports or border crossings in Tanzania. However, starting from November 30, travelers will only be able to apply for an e-Visa online prior to their trip.
This change applies to all short-term visitors, including tourists and business travelers, who will no longer be able to complete visa procedures upon arrival. To avoid complications, please ensure to apply for an e-Visa as early as possible, ideally at least three weeks before your departure. Starting in December, those who cannot verify their visa status may be denied boarding for their flights.
Note: Regarding e-Visas:
- Some applicants report not receiving a response email after applying.
- Some have experienced issues where funds were deducted after entering card information, but no visa was issued.
- Others have faced delays in processing fees, resulting in visa issuance delays.
The Tanzanian immigration authorities have been notified of these concerns, though complete resolution has not been achieved. The internet environment, email security settings, and server conditions may vary by country, possibly contributing to these issues.
Due to expected processing delays for e-Visas, it is advised that short-term visitors and business travelers apply for the appropriate visa well in advance. For those traveling on business from Japan or neighboring countries, please apply for a Business Visa, not an Ordinary Visa.
We have received reports from business travelers of near-detention incidents involving police or immigration officials due to misunderstanding the nature of their visa. In Tanzania, all business-related activities, such as site visits, negotiations, and contract signings, are categorized as business activities.
For further details on entry visa requirements, please contact the Tanzanian Embassy in Japan or the Tanzanian Immigration Department directly.
Embassy of Tanzania in Tokyo
https://www.jp.tzembassy.go.tz/
Tanzania Immigration Department
https://www.immigration.go.tz/
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