Getting a Tanzanian Visa at Kilimanjaro Airport
Being based in Hong Kong recently has been great for sorting out visas (I have got a Vietnamese, Myanmar, Chinese and North Korean all sorted in my time there). However I didn’t get my visa in advance for Tanzania, one of my recent trips. The main reason was time constraints, but also it’s the same price to get it on arrival. Here’s my advice on getting a Tanzanian Visa at Kilimanjaro Airport. I flew in from Addis Ababa in Ethiopia.
Getting a Tanzanian Visa at Kilimanjaro Airport
Getting a Tanzanian Visa at Kilimanjaro Airport
You can get your visa on arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport
Firstly, you’ll be in one of two situations when you land:
1. I Have A Visa.
2. I Don’t Have A Visa.
These two things are written on yellow signs in the arrivals and immigration area. If it’s number one, you can go straight through, once you have passed the Yellow Fever Certificate Check. If it’s number two, you need to fill in the form and join the queue. You’ll notice a massive queue if you don’t have a visa. Thanks to my travel buddy Raymond from Man on the Lam, for the amusing photo below. Yes, it really is like that!
Thanks to Raymond from Man on the Lam for this photo which sums up the two queues on arrival in Kilimanjaro Airport!
You’ll Need Your Yellow Fever Certificate
So firstly make sure you have your Yellow Fever Certificate with you. They check them at the airport in Kilimanjaro. I got my Yellow Fever Certificate in Australia in 2010 and ALWAYS carry it. It’s a travel essential. If you don’t have it, don’t worry, you’re not completely screwed but it will cost you!! You tell them when and where you had your injection and they will charge you $20 or $30 US (depending on circumstances) for an on-the-spot new certificate issuance. If for some strange reason you haven’t even had your injection, then you need to get vaccinated in the airport. This will cost you $50 US and will take time. So please don’t forget to get vaccinated and carry your certificate with you. If you’re from Tanzania you will have to pay $20 US for an on the spot certificate and vaccination.
Make sure you have your Yellow Fever Certificate on you – it will cost you otherwise!
Filling in the Blue Tanzanian Visa Immigration Form
Filling in the blue Tanzanian immigration form at Kilimanjaro Airport
After your Yellow Fever Certificate has been checked, you get the blue Tanzanian Visa Immigration form and fill it in. It’s easy to fill in – standard immigration form. After you have filled it in, head to booth number one and pay the visa fee. The visa fee is $50 US for most citizens, and $100 US for US citizens. That may be steep, but that’s the cost so pay it. Payment is ONLY in cash and in US Dollars. Euros and local currency would also be accepted, but trust me – pay in US Dollars. Then head to booth 2 to get your photo taken and the visa placed into your passport. The visa has a photo on it. You will also get your passport stamped at booth 2. Then head to booth 3 to get your fingerprints taken and you are good to go!
The back of the blue immigration form. It takes just a few minutes to fill in.
So it’s a 6 Step Process when getting a Tanzanian Visa at Kilimanjaro Airport
1. Show your Yellow Fever Certificate
2. Fill in the Tanzanian Visa Immigration Form
3. Join the queue that says “I Don’t Have A Visa”
4. Pay $50 US (or $100 US if you’re from the USA) at Booth 1
5. Get your photo taken, passport stamped and visa placed in your passport at Booth 2
6. Get your fingerprints scanned.
A deliberately blurred version of my Tanzanian Visa on arrival at Kilimanjaro
And that’s it – you’re in Tanzania!! You are there to enjoy this wonderful country. Be it climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, doing a safari, heading to Zanzibar or relaxing on a beach. I was in Tanzania as a guest of Shadows of Africa and would be on safari, as well as visiting a local school and an orphanage. So there you go – hope you enjoy my details on getting a Tanzanian Visa on arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport. This is correct as of August 2013 by the way, and can change at any time.
So get your Tanzanian Visa and get up close and personal to giraffes!!
ARE YOU PEOPLE STILL ISSUING TANZANIA VISA ON ARRIVAL AT THE AIRPORT THIS 2016?
Hi Alex, I’m a tourist and this is a travel blog, not a visa agency so I have no idea. I was there three years ago in 2013 so I’m not sure on the situation here in 2016, please check with the relevant authorities for up to date advice. Regards, Jonny
Wow Johhhy, you are awesome! I am heading to Kilimanjaro and your blog helps a lot.
I never stop living. I am making a living, living
Hi Elvie, thanks for your comment and positivity, have a great trip to Tanzania! Safe travels, Jonny
I recently received advice from the Tanzanian Health department that people who have not recently visited at risk places do not need a yellow fever shot or certificate. Can anyone advise if this is actually the case at the airport?
Hi John, sadly I am just a tourist like you, I am merely a travel writer, not with any huge authority on the subject. But when I was there in 2013, EVERYBODY needed the Yellow Fever Certificate and to be honest with you, I struggle to understand why any traveller would go anywhere without one. It is an essential item in my bag all the time. Safe travels. Jonny
Hi! Is the yellow fever vaccine compulsory? Or only people coming from endemic areas?
Hi Carmen, I visited in 2013 and at that time, it was compulsory for everyone who arrived by air to Kilimanjaro. If you didn’t have it, you were turned away or had to pay a huge amount of cash to get it done there. Of course, laws might have changed since then and it may also not apply to other airports or land borders. But as of August 2013, you had to have it. Safe travels. Jonny
Wow! This is the best set of instructions I have come across for visa on arrival at Kilimanjaro. Thank you.
Hi Vinayak, thanks. I am glad it helped you. Safe travels. Jonny
As of today, may 24, 2017. If you are arriving to Tanzania from the United States, you do not need the Yellow Fever injection. Its best to look on the CDC.gov website. I am getting my Visa ahead of time because I don’t want to stand in line at the airport or carry a lot of cash. Check the Tanzania government website for Visas to apply
Hi Lynda, thanks for the update. Safe travels. Jonny
i love that
Hi Joyce, thanks for the comment. Yes, I also enjoyed Tanzania. Safe travels. Jonny
Hoping to go to Kili in 4 weeks.
Tanzania have just initiated an eVisa system where you can apply in advance on line. My advice to anyone thinking of doing this is DO NOT DO IT!!
I paid, the cash left my account and Tazanian Immigration are denying that they have received payment even though I have proof. We all hate queing but avoid the eVisa system like the plague. I’m just hoping my insurance will cover the costs of cancellation.
Hi David, Thanks for the comment and I am extremely sorry for the huge delay in replying to you. I have been going through problems with depression and wasn’t checking the comments or messages that much. Thanks for the update about Tanzanian visas. Stay safe. Jonny
Johnny, I hope you are well.
I managed to sort out my visa before I travelled by complaining to the High Commission in London. For information half the passengers on my flight didn’t pre-arrange visas and simply did the paperwork on arrival.
Tanzania was amazing and Kili fantastic.
Hi David, thanks for the comment and glad you got your visa and backpacked Tanzania. When I was there, I got one on arrival and it was easy enough to sort out. Stay Safe. Jonny