Tanzania Visa for Irish Citizens 2026: What Is Required?

Irish citizens need a visa to enter mainland Tanzania or Zanzibar in 2026. For a holiday or safari, the usual option is an ordinary single-entry tourist visa costing US$50; Ireland's Department of Foreign Affairs recommends applying for an eVisa before travelling, although a single-entry tourist or business visa may also be issued on arrival at Tanzania's main ports of entry.

There is no Ireland-specific processing guarantee in the central official guidance reviewed for this article. One Tanzanian diplomatic mission states that regular processing takes at least five working days and that applications are processed within ten days, so Irish travellers should apply well before departure rather than treating those figures as a guarantee.

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

This article provides general information, not legal advice. Immigration rules, fees and procedures can change at short notice.

Quick answer: Tanzania visa requirements for Irish citizens

Question	Answer for an Irish passport holder
Is a visa required?	Yes, for both mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar.
Which visa is normally used for a safari or holiday?	An ordinary tourist visa, normally issued for a single entry.
How much does it cost?	US$50 for an ordinary tourist visa when using Tanzania's official system.
Can Irish citizens apply online?	Yes. Tanzania operates an official online visa application service, and Ireland's Department of Foreign Affairs advises Irish citizens to apply for an eVisa before travel.
Is a visa on arrival possible?	A single-entry tourist or business visa may be available at Tanzania's main ports of entry, subject to all immigration requirements. A multiple-entry visa cannot be obtained on arrival.
How long does processing take?	An official Tanzanian mission publishes a minimum of five working days for regular processing and says applications are processed within ten days, but this is not an Ireland-specific guarantee.
What passport validity is needed?	At least six months from the date of entry, with at least one unused visa page.

Tanzania visa types and who needs one

The visa requirement applies to Irish citizens visiting mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar. Zanzibar is part of the United Republic of Tanzania for immigration purposes, so travellers planning a safari followed by an island stay should use the Tanzanian visa process described here.

Ordinary tourist visa

The ordinary visa is the relevant category for most Irish holidaymakers taking an African safari in Tanzania or combining the national parks with Zanzibar. Tanzania Immigration lists the government fee for an ordinary tourism visa as US$50. A commercial visa provider reports that Irish citizens can obtain a single-entry tourist visa allowing a stay of up to 90 days, but this duration is not confirmed in the central official material supplied for this article; verify the authorised stay shown on your visa or entry endorsement before travelling.

If the trip is still at the planning stage, travellers can compare safari packages on SafariFind. Those considering a beach extension can also review typical Tanzania safari and Zanzibar packages before entering accommodation and itinerary details in the application.

Business visa

Ireland's Department of Foreign Affairs says a single-entry business visa may be issued on arrival at main Tanzanian ports of entry if the traveller fulfils all immigration requirements. Tanzania Immigration lists the business visa fee as US$250. Business visitors should confirm the correct category and supporting documents directly with Tanzania Immigration because a tourist visa does not automatically authorise business, employment or professional activity.

Multiple-entry visa

Tanzania Immigration lists a multiple-entry visa fee of US$100, but eligibility depends on the applicant's circumstances and should not be assumed solely because the category appears in the fee schedule. Irish travellers cannot obtain a multiple-entry visa on arrival, according to Ireland's official travel advice.

Work, volunteering and journalism

A visitor planning to work or volunteer needs a valid work permit arranged before travel by the employer or volunteer organisation. Journalism requires a separate permit. Travellers undertaking those activities should not rely only on an ordinary tourist eVisa.

How to apply for a Tanzania eVisa from Ireland

1. Use the official Tanzania e-Immigration portal

Begin through the Tanzania Immigration Department's official e-services portal, which provides the online visa application service. Check that the website is an official Tanzanian government domain before entering passport or payment information. Tanzania Immigration warns that an invoice higher than US$50 for an ordinary visa indicates that the applicant has used an agent or an unauthorised visa link.

2. Select the visa category that matches the trip

Choose the ordinary visa for a conventional tourism itinerary. Do not select transit merely because the itinerary includes a short stay: Tanzania's official guidelines state that a transit visa is strictly for passing through Tanzania to another country and is not intended for tourism.

3. Enter the passport and travel details carefully

Use the details exactly as they appear in the Irish passport. Before applying, check that the passport will remain valid for at least six months from entry into Tanzania and contains at least one unused visa page. Ireland's travel advice contains an additional reference to six months of validity from the visa application date, so the safer practical approach is to satisfy both points where possible.

4. Prepare the required documents

Tanzania's eVisa guidelines identify the following core uploads or supporting documents:

• A copy of the valid passport's biographical data page.
• A return ticket.
• A compliant colour photograph.

Passengers may also be asked to show proof of their return journey at Tanzanian immigration. Keep accessible copies of the submitted documents for the journey.

5. Upload a compliant visa photograph

The photograph must be in colour, show the applicant facing the camera with the full head visible, have a plain background and display a natural expression without distracting shadows. The eyes must be open, and the file must be JPG or JPEG with a maximum file size of 500KB.

The official maximum dimensions are 45mm in length by 35mm in width. Regular glasses are permitted for applicants who normally wear them. Head coverings are permitted only for religious reasons, and the face must remain visible from the bottom of the chin to the top of the forehead and across both edges.

6. Pay the official fee and retain the application record

Pay through the official application channel and retain the payment confirmation and application reference. The government fee for the ordinary tourism visa is US$50. Applicants can use the official eVisa process to apply and pay online; once approved, the applicant receives a grant notice by email.

7. Check the approval against the passport

Review the name, passport number, visa category and authorised travel details as soon as the approval arrives. Carry an accessible copy of the grant notice when travelling, even if a digital version is also stored on a phone.

Tanzania visa fees and payment

Visa category	Official listed fee	Important limitation
Ordinary visa	US$50	The standard category for tourism; an agent may add separate service charges.
Multiple-entry visa	US$100	Cannot be obtained on arrival by Irish travellers.
Business visa	US$250	Use only when the proposed activity fits the business category.
Transit visa	US$30	Only for genuine transit to another country, not tourism.
Gratis visa	No fee	Only applies where the applicant qualifies for that category.

Tanzania Immigration explicitly states that the tourism fee for an ordinary visa is US$50. If an ordinary-visa invoice is higher, the department says this means the application was made through a visa agent or unauthorised link. This warning concerns the government fee; private companies may advertise their own service charges separately.

Visa costs are only one component of the trip budget. For travellers asking how much a safari in Tanzania typically costs, park fees, accommodation, transport and operator pricing usually need to be budgeted separately from the visa.

Processing times and visa validity

The official central eVisa material in the supplied research does not provide an Ireland-specific processing guarantee. A Tanzanian diplomatic mission states that regular visa processing takes a minimum of five working days and that an application will be processed within ten days. Because that guidance appears on a mission-specific page, Irish applicants should treat it as an indication rather than a guaranteed service level.

A commercial provider publishes a longer estimate of 15–17 business days for Irish applicants. This conflicts with the mission-level estimate and may reflect the provider's own service process rather than the government's processing time. Apply early and check the application status through the official channel rather than relying on a third-party deadline.

A third-party source describes the Irish tourist visa as a single-entry visa permitting a stay of up to 90 days. Confirm the actual validity and permitted stay on the approval notice and entry endorsement because the supplied official sources do not state an Irish-specific 90-day validity period.

What immigration may check on arrival

At the Tanzanian border, an Irish traveller should be ready to present a passport valid for at least six months from entry, with at least one unused visa page, together with the visa approval or grant notice. Immigration officers may ask for proof of the return journey.

The visa requirement applies whether the itinerary begins in mainland Tanzania or Zanzibar. Travellers combining Serengeti wildlife viewing with an island stay can use a planned itinerary such as a safari Tanzania and Zanzibar cost breakdown to keep flight, accommodation and operator details organised.

Possession of an eVisa approval does not remove the need to satisfy immigration checks on arrival. Keep the passport, return or onward ticket and approval record readily available rather than packed in checked baggage.

Transit visas, extensions and overstays

Transit through Tanzania

A transit visa costs US$30 and is strictly for travellers passing through Tanzania en route to another country. It is not valid for tourism or a short safari. The official requirements include a copy of the passport biographical page and an entry visa and/or onward ticket for the intended destination.

Extending a stay

The supplied official sources do not state a standard extension entitlement, fee or processing period for Irish tourists. Do not assume that an ordinary tourist visa can be extended automatically. Confirm the current procedure with Tanzania Immigration before the authorised stay expires; the department lists info@immigration.go.tz and visatanzania@immigration.go.tz for visa enquiries.

Overstaying

Irish official travel advice warns that overstaying a Tanzanian visa or permit can result in arrest, detention, a fine and deportation. Check the authorised period recorded by immigration and resolve any discrepancy before it expires.

Common Tanzania eVisa mistakes and rejection risks

• Using a non-official website: Tanzania Immigration warns that an ordinary-visa invoice above the US$50 government fee indicates use of an agent or unauthorised link.
• Uploading the wrong photograph: Files larger than 500KB, formats other than JPG or JPEG, distracting shadows or an obscured face do not meet the published photo specifications.
• Submitting an unclear passport page: The official guidelines require a copy of the valid passport's biographical data page.
• Ignoring passport validity: Irish passports should have at least six months' validity from entry and one unused visa page.
• Selecting transit for a tourism stop: A transit visa is not intended for tourism, regardless of how short the visit is.
• Assuming a multiple-entry visa is available at the airport: Irish travellers cannot obtain that category on arrival.
• Applying too close to departure: Published estimates range from at least five working days in official mission guidance to 15–17 business days through a commercial provider, and neither is an Ireland-specific government guarantee.
• Failing to carry onward-travel evidence: Immigration may ask passengers for proof of their return journey.

Visa rules should be checked alongside health and airline requirements, which are separate from immigration permission. Because vaccination rules can depend on the traveller's route and recent travel history, consult official health guidance rather than assuming that advice written for another nationality applies; SafariFind's overview of recommended vaccinations for a Tanzania trip can help identify questions to raise with an official travel-health service.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Irish citizens need a visa for Tanzania?

Yes. Irish citizens require a visa for both mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar, and Ireland's Department of Foreign Affairs recommends applying for an eVisa before travel.

How much is a Tanzania visa for Irish citizens in 2026?

The official fee for an ordinary tourist visa is US$50. Tanzania Immigration warns that a higher invoice for an ordinary visa indicates use of an agent or unauthorised application link.

Can Irish citizens get a Tanzania visa on arrival?

Yes, a single-entry tourist or business visa may be available at Tanzania's main ports of entry, subject to all immigration requirements. A multiple-entry visa cannot be obtained on arrival.

Should I apply for a Tanzania eVisa before travelling from Ireland?

Yes. Ireland's Department of Foreign Affairs advises Irish citizens to apply for an eVisa before travel, and Tanzania provides an official online visa application portal.

How long does a Tanzania eVisa take for an Irish citizen?

There is no Ireland-specific government guarantee in the supplied central guidance. One official Tanzanian mission publishes a minimum of five working days for regular processing and says applications are processed within ten days, while a commercial provider quotes 15–17 business days.

How long can an Irish citizen stay in Tanzania on a tourist visa?

A commercial visa source reports a stay of up to 90 days on a single-entry tourist visa for Irish citizens. Because the supplied central official sources do not confirm that Irish-specific period, check the authorised stay on the issued visa and entry endorsement.

What passport validity does Tanzania require from Irish travellers?

An Irish passport should be valid for at least six months from the date of entry and have at least one unused visa page. Ireland's advice also references six months from the visa application date, so satisfying both periods is the cautious approach.

What documents are needed for a Tanzania tourist eVisa?

The official guidelines require a copy of the passport biographical page, a compliant colour photograph and a return ticket. Immigration may also ask for proof of the return journey on arrival.

Do I need a separate visa for Zanzibar?

Irish citizens need a Tanzanian visa when entering either mainland Tanzania or Zanzibar. The official Irish advice treats both destinations under Tanzania's entry requirements rather than describing a separate Zanzibar tourist visa.

How much is a Tanzania transit visa?

The official transit visa fee is US$30. It is strictly for travel through Tanzania to another country and cannot be used for tourism.

Can I work or volunteer in Tanzania on a tourist visa?

A traveller planning to work or volunteer needs a valid work permit arranged before travel by the employer or volunteer organisation. Journalism requires a separate permit.

What happens if an Irish traveller overstays a Tanzania visa?

Overstaying can lead to arrest, detention, a fine and deportation. Confirm the authorised stay recorded by immigration and contact Tanzania Immigration before it expires if plans change.