Tanzania eVisa for Pakistani Citizens

Both routes are requested through the same online system, but they are handled differently. A standard eVisa is approved by the immigration department and emailed to you as a PDF. A referral visa is an application that requires extra clearance from authorities in Tanzania before it can be approved, and Pakistani applicants are sometimes routed this way. The processing details differ, so it helps to understand both:

• Who needs it: Every Pakistani traveller, including children and infants.
• Type: Electronic tourist visa, normally single-entry, applied for online — delivered as a PDF.
• Length of stay: Up to 90 days.
• Referral possibility: Pakistani applicants may be routed to a referral visa requiring extra clearance.
• Processing: Up to around 10 working days; referral cases take longer.
• When to apply: At least 2 to 3 weeks before departure.

A visa is mandatory for every Pakistani citizen travelling to Tanzania, regardless of age or reason for travel. There is no group or family visa: each traveller needs their own approved authorisation tied to their own passport. This includes children and infants, even when they are travelling on a parent's itinerary.

The tourist eVisa covers the typical reasons Pakistanis visit Tanzania — safari and wildlife tours, climbing Kilimanjaro, beach stays in Zanzibar, honeymoons, and visiting friends or relatives. Short business trips such as meetings or conferences may also be possible, but if your plans involve work, study or long-term residence rather than a short visit, you should confirm the correct visa category before you travel, as the tourist eVisa is intended for temporary stays.

The eVisa is requested online, but Tanzania still expects you to meet its entry conditions. Have the following ready before you apply, and keep them available for the airline and for immigration on arrival:

• A valid Pakistani passport, valid for at least 6 months beyond your arrival with blank pages.
• A return or onward air ticket out of Tanzania.
• Confirmed accommodation — a hotel booking, or an invitation letter if you will stay with friends or family.
• A recent passport-style photograph meeting the required format.
• Proof of sufficient funds to support your stay.
• A yellow-fever vaccination certificate if you are arriving from or transiting a yellow-fever country.
• A valid email address — your eVisa is sent here as a PDF.

1. Get your documents ready: a valid Pakistani passport, your return ticket, accommodation details, a passport photo and a payment card.
2. Start the online Tanzania eVisa application and enter your passport and personal details exactly as they appear in your passport.
3. Add your trip information — arrival date, accommodation and contact email.
4. Upload the required supporting documents, including your photo and passport scan, and review every field carefully.
5. Submit your application and complete the required payment.
6. Wait for processing — if your case is routed to a referral visa, allow extra time — and receive your approved eVisa by email as a PDF.

Because Pakistani applications can take up to around 10 working days, and referral cases longer, apply at least two to three weeks before your flight rather than close to departure.

For Pakistani applicants, the Tanzania eVisa is usually processed within around 10 working days, with the approval emailed as a PDF. If your application is routed to a referral visa, the additional clearance means it can take noticeably longer. Because you cannot know in advance which route your case will follow, the safest approach is to apply at least two to three weeks before departure. Avoid booking non-refundable arrangements until your visa is approved, and if any extra information is requested, respond quickly so your approval is not held up.

The Tanzania tourist eVisa is normally issued as a single-entry visa allowing a stay of up to 90 days. Single-entry means that once you leave Tanzania the visa is used up, so if you plan to exit and re-enter — for example crossing into a neighbouring country and returning — you should check whether your itinerary needs a different visa type. The eVisa is tied to the specific passport you used to apply, so if you renew or replace your passport, or plan a separate future trip, you will need to apply for a new eVisa linked to the current document.

The eVisa allows you to board your flight, but the final entry decision is made by an immigration officer on arrival. Be ready in Tanzania to present your valid Pakistani passport, your approved eVisa, a return or onward ticket, proof of confirmed accommodation, and evidence of sufficient funds for your stay. If you are arriving from or transiting a yellow-fever country, carry your yellow-fever certificate. Travellers heading to Zanzibar must also hold mandatory travel insurance through the official Zanzibar scheme, so arrange this before you go. Carrying these documents in an easy-to-reach folder — printed or on your phone — makes the arrival process faster and smoother.

• Mismatched passport details: the eVisa is linked to your exact passport number — check every field against your passport before submitting.
• Referral routing: Pakistani cases can be sent for extra clearance, which takes longer — apply two to three weeks early so this does not derail your plans.
• Missing accommodation proof: have a confirmed hotel booking, or an invitation letter if staying with friends or family.
• No onward ticket: a return or onward ticket is part of the entry conditions.
• Poor-quality photo or passport scan: blurred or incorrectly formatted uploads can hold up processing.
• Missing yellow-fever certificate: required if you arrive from or transit a yellow-fever country.
• Leaving it to the last minute: processing can take up to around 10 working days, so never wait until just before your flight to apply.

An approved eVisa allows you to board your flight, but the final decision to enter Tanzania rests with the immigration officer on arrival. Present the same passport you used to apply, along with your eVisa, and be ready to explain the purpose and length of your visit, where you will stay, and that you have the means to support your trip. If you travelled from or through a yellow-fever country, have your certificate ready, and if you are visiting Zanzibar, your mandatory Zanzibar insurance. Provided your documents are in order and consistent with your application, the officer will admit you and you can begin your stay.

Every traveller needs their own eVisa, including children and infants, because each one is linked to an individual passport. A parent or guardian can complete the application on a child's behalf using the child's own passport details. If you are travelling as a Pakistani family, submit a separate application for each member, and make sure each child's accommodation, return ticket and — for Zanzibar — insurance details are covered just as they are for the adults. Apply for the whole family at the same time so everyone's processing window, including any possible referral, runs together.