Your rights, in plain words.
For everyone, local citizens and immigrant communities alike. Describe what is happening the way you would tell a friend. Plainright explains the law that applies, the steps to take, the deadlines that matter and where to find free help.
Immigration: what you need to know now
Rules changed often in 2025 and 2026. See what changed, pick your situation, or ask about your own case.
Living in or visiting Tanzania: the essentials
Tanzania by the numbers
- South Africa: 90 days + 90
- Kenya: 90 days + 90
- Tanzania: 90 days
- Ghana: 30 days + 30
- Côte d'Ivoire: 90 days
Show as a table
| Country | First stay (days) | Extension (days) | Rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Africa | 90 | 90 | 90 days visa-free; one extension through VFS Global |
| Kenya | 90 | 90 | Up to 90 days on the eTA; extendable to 180 |
| Tanzania | 90 | None | Up to 90 days per entry |
| Ghana | 30 | 30 | As granted on arrival; extensions at the Ghana Immigration Service |
| Côte d'Ivoire | 90 | None | As stated on the visa, often up to 90 days |
Sources: Department of Home Affairs (South Africa); Directorate of Immigration Services and etakenya.go.ke (Kenya); Immigration Services Department (Tanzania); Ghana Immigration Service and Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Ghana); SNEDAI (Côte d'Ivoire). Checked 8 November 2026. Rules for your passport may differ.
Had an accident? What to do now
Car crashes, rental cars, uninsured drivers, injuries at work, falls and dog bites: the first steps, the deadlines that protect you and who pays.
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Tanzania: what to know before and after you arrive
Visas and costs, airports, getting to your hotel, renting a car, the laws that surprise visitors, buying property, getting married, what to avoid and what is important to know. Rules change often; each item links to the Ask tool for a full, current answer.
Tanzania compared with the region
- South Africa: 90 days + 90
- Kenya: 90 days + 90
- Tanzania: 90 days
- Ghana: 30 days + 30
- Côte d'Ivoire: 90 days
Show as a table
| Country | First stay (days) | Extension (days) | Rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Africa | 90 | 90 | 90 days visa-free; one extension through VFS Global |
| Kenya | 90 | 90 | Up to 90 days on the eTA; extendable to 180 |
| Tanzania | 90 | None | Up to 90 days per entry |
| Ghana | 30 | 30 | As granted on arrival; extensions at the Ghana Immigration Service |
| Côte d'Ivoire | 90 | None | As stated on the visa, often up to 90 days |
- South Africa: Free
- Kenya: US$31
- Tanzania: US$50
- Ghana: US$260
- Côte d'Ivoire: US$80
Show as a table
| Country | Cost (US$) | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| South Africa | 0 | Free for U.S., UK, EU and Canadian citizens; R500 ETA for visa-required nationalities |
| Kenya | 31 | eTA about US$30–32.50 |
| Tanzania | 50 | US$50 single entry; US$100 multiple entry for U.S. citizens |
| Ghana | 260 | E-visa fee announced at US$260 for non-Africans; free ETA for Africans |
| Côte d'Ivoire | 80 | E-visa about €73–80, paid online |
Sources: Department of Home Affairs (South Africa); Directorate of Immigration Services and etakenya.go.ke (Kenya); Immigration Services Department (Tanzania); Ghana Immigration Service and Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Ghana); SNEDAI (Côte d'Ivoire). Checked 8 November 2026. Rules for your passport may differ.
- South Africa: Open to foreigners on the same terms as citizens
- Kenya: Leases of up to 99 years; no freehold
- Tanzania: No land ownership; investment land through TIC
- Ghana: Leases of up to 50 years
- Côte d'Ivoire: Urban land with ACD; rural land reserved for Ivorians
Show as a table
| Country | Foreign cap | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| South Africa | None | Open to foreigners on the same terms as citizens |
| Kenya | None | Leases of up to 99 years; no freehold |
| Tanzania | None | No land ownership; investment land through TIC |
| Ghana | None | Leases of up to 50 years |
| Côte d'Ivoire | None | Urban land with ACD; rural land reserved for Ivorians |
Sources: Deeds Registries Act (South Africa); Constitution art. 65 (Kenya); Land Act 1999 (Tanzania); Constitution art. 266 and Land Act 2020 (Ghana); Law 98-750 (Côte d'Ivoire). Checked 8 November 2026.
How to spot a scam in Tanzania
Scams change every month, but they share the same warning signs. If two or more of these appear together, stop and check before you pay or share anything.
Warning signs
- Pressure to act now: a deadline of minutes or hours, or a threat of arrest, deportation or a frozen account.
- Payment in an unusual way: gift cards, cryptocurrency, a personal bank account, or cash handed to a courier.
- Someone you met online, often recently, who asks for money, an investment or help moving funds.
- A caller or message claiming to be police, immigration, a court, a bank or a delivery company and asking for codes, passwords or a transfer. Real officials never ask for one-time codes.
- Returns that are guaranteed or far above normal, or a 'task' job that pays you first and then asks you to deposit money.
- A link or QR code that leads to a site that looks official but has a slightly different address.
- A request to keep it secret from your family, your bank or the police.
- An offer to 'recover' money you already lost, for an upfront fee. This is a second scam.
Common scams in Tanzania
- Copy e-visa websites.
- Unlicensed Kilimanjaro and safari operators.
- Beach boys selling tours without receipts in Zanzibar.
- Money changers giving short counts.
- Fake 'park fees' collected outside gates.
Where to report
If it already happened: the first hour
- Stop paying and stop replying. Do not send 'one last fee'.
- Call your bank or e-wallet at once and ask them to stop or recall the transfer. Speed matters: minutes count.
- Keep the evidence: screenshots, phone numbers, account numbers, links, receipts and dates.
- Report it to the official channel listed on this page and to the police, and keep the report number.
- Change your passwords and turn on two-step verification on email, banking and social media.
- If you are a foreign national, tell your embassy or consulate; they can help with lost passports and contacts.
Real cases
An American bought a US$50 visa online and was told at the border it was wrong.
How to avoid it: U.S. citizens must buy the US$100 multiple-entry visa.
Travellers without insurance had to buy it at the airport.
How to avoid it: Buy it online before travel.
A volunteer on a tourist visa was told to leave.
How to avoid it: Get a Class C permit.
Visas and costs
- Ordinary tourist visa US$50, single entry, up to 90 days.
- U.S. citizens: US$100 multiple-entry visa, 12 months, 90 days per visit.
- Apply at visa.immigration.go.tz or on arrival.
- Zanzibar insurance is extra and mandatory.
Airports
- Kilimanjaro International (JRO) for Arusha, Moshi and safaris.
- Dar es Salaam – Julius Nyerere International (DAR).
- Zanzibar – Abeid Amani Karume International (ZNZ).
From the airport to your hotel
- Most lodges and climbing operators include airport transfers.
- At Dar es Salaam, use app rides or official taxis and agree fares first.
- In Zanzibar, agree the taxi fare to Stone Town or the beaches before leaving.
Renting a car or motorbike
- Driving is on the left.
- Carry an International Driving Permit.
- Parks require a licensed guide or registered vehicle.
- Police checkpoints are frequent; keep documents ready.
Laws and what to know
- Same-sex relations are criminalised.
- Single-use plastic bags are banned.
- Drones need a permit from the Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority.
- Dress modestly in Zanzibar towns.
Buying property
- Foreigners cannot own land outright.
- Investment land goes through the Tanzania Investment Centre.
- Zanzibar has its own rules through the Zanzibar Investment Promotion Authority.
- Never buy in a local nominee's name.
Getting married
- Civil marriage at the Registration Insolvency and Trusteeship Agency (RITA) or a district registrar.
- Notice of 21 days is usually required.
- Zanzibar weddings are registered with the Zanzibar civil registry.
What to avoid
- Copy e-visa websites.
- Unlicensed climbing or safari operators.
- Volunteering without a Class C permit.
- Beach boys selling tours without receipts.
Important to know
- Emergency: 112.
- Tourist police operate in Arusha and Zanzibar.
- Yellow fever certificate if arriving from a risk country.
Key local laws
- Constitution of the United Republic of Tanzania, 1977 (Zanzibar has its own 1984 Constitution).
- Immigration Act, Cap 54 — visas, residence permits and overstays.
- Employment and Labour Relations Act, Cap 366 — contracts and the CMA.
- Land Act, Cap 113 and Land Disputes Courts Act, Cap 216 — leases and land tribunals.
- Tanzania Investment Act 2022 — foreign investment and land through TIC.
- Road Traffic Act, Cap 168 and Motor Vehicles Insurance Act, Cap 169.
- Personal Data Protection Act 2022 and Cybercrimes Act 2015.
- Law of Marriage Act, Cap 29 and Probate and Administration of Estates Act, Cap 352.
City guides
Airports, immigration offices, hospitals and local rules in the places foreigners go most.
Arusha and Moshi
- Airport
- Kilimanjaro International (JRO).
- Immigration
- Regional immigration office in Arusha.
- Hospitals
- Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre; KCMC in Moshi.
- Know this
- Book climbs and safaris only with licensed operators.
Dar es Salaam
- Airport
- Julius Nyerere International (DAR).
- Immigration
- Immigration headquarters at Kurasini.
- Hospitals
- Aga Khan Hospital, Muhimbili National Hospital.
- Know this
- Agree taxi fares before leaving.
Zanzibar
- Airport
- Abeid Amani Karume International (ZNZ).
- Know this
- Mandatory inbound insurance; dress modestly in Stone Town.
Legal topics in depth
Property, marriage, children, inheritance, work, business, taxes and arrest.
Land and property
- Foreigners cannot own land outright.
- Investment land goes through the Tanzania Investment Centre.
- Zanzibar has its own rules.
- Never buy in a nominee's name.
Marriage
- Civil marriage at RITA or a district registrar after 21 days' notice.
- Zanzibar weddings are registered with the Zanzibar civil registry.
- Expect a certificate of no impediment.
Work and volunteering
- Volunteering needs a Class C residence permit.
- Employees need a work permit and residence permit.
- Apply online with the Immigration Services Department.
Taxes
- Staying more than 183 days can create tax residence.
- Residents are taxed on worldwide income.
- Check your country's tax treaty.
Arrest and police
- You have the right to a lawyer.
- Ask for your consulate to be told.
- Do not pay 'fines' without a receipt.
Consumer rights
- Agree safari and climbing prices in writing.
- Use licensed operators.
- Keep receipts.
Step by step
Office, time, cost, documents and each step for the most common procedures.
Get the tourist e-visa
Bring
- Passport
- Photo
- Return ticket
Steps
- Apply online
- Pay by card
- Print the grant notice
Buy Zanzibar insurance
Bring
- Passport
- Travel dates
Steps
- Buy online before travel
- Keep the certificate with your passport
Apply for a Class C permit
Bring
- Passport
- Host organisation letter
- Police clearance
Steps
- Apply online
- Submit documents
- Collect the permit
Real cases and scams
What actually happens to foreigners, and how to avoid it.
An American bought a US$50 visa online and was told at the border it was wrong.
How to avoid it: U.S. citizens must buy the US$100 multiple-entry visa.
Travellers without insurance had to buy it at the airport.
How to avoid it: Buy it online before travel.
A volunteer on a tourist visa was told to leave.
How to avoid it: Get a Class C permit.
A foreign buyer lost a plot registered in a friend's name.
How to avoid it: Use the Tanzania Investment Centre route.
Fees, offices and procedures in Tanzania change often. Confirm with the office or a licensed lawyer before you rely on them.
Visas and staying legal in Tanzania
Tourist e-visas (US$50, or US$100 multiple-entry for U.S. citizens), Zanzibar's mandatory insurance, residence permits, land rules and overstays. Rules change often; this page was last checked on .
Choose your situation
Forms finder
| Document | What it is for | Who needs it |
|---|
Deadlines you cannot miss
| What | When | Source |
|---|
How the law works
The building blocks behind every answer: where law comes from, how common law and precedent work, how courts are organized, and the core ideas of contracts, torts and property.
Time limits
Statutes of limitations. Exceptions exist, so confirm your deadline.
| Type of claim | Deadline | Source |
|---|
Key court system facts
Legal terms in plain words
Law libraries
Read the law yourself. These free, reliable libraries hold the statutes, regulations and court decisions that Plainright cites, for Tanzania.
What changed in the law
The latest visa, immigration and legal updates in Tanzania that affect visitors and residents, in plain words, with who is affected and a link to the source. Updated every week; last update .
Lawyers and free help near me
When your situation is serious, urgent or involves a court deadline, speak with a licensed attorney or a nonprofit legal service. Press one button and Plainright lists three to six highly rated law offices and the immigration help centers and legal aid offices near you, anywhere in Tanzania.
Talk to a lawyer licensed in Tanzania
Only a lawyer licensed in Tanzania can represent you in its courts and agencies. Use the finder below for highly rated law offices and free legal help, or open the map to see lawyers near you.
Find a licensed lawyer in Tanzania
Lawyer requests open as soon as Plainright's registration with Tanzania's Personal Data Protection Commission is complete. Until then, use the official lawyer registers below to find and check a licensed lawyer.
- Judiciary e-Wakili searchCheck an advocate by name or roll number.
- Tanganyika Law SocietyAdvocates in mainland Tanzania.
- Zanzibar Law SocietyAdvocates in Zanzibar.
How law offices are selected
- Open and operating according to its current public business listing.
- Rated 4.5 stars or higher from at least 25 reviews; low-rated and thinly reviewed offices are never shown.
- Practice match: the office's listing or its own website must name your type of problem.
- Reachable: a published phone number and website are required.
- Nearby: within about 25 miles of the location you give.
- No middlemen: referral directories and lead-generation sites are excluded.
- Fair ranking: offices are ordered by rating weighted by the number of reviews, so a few five-star reviews cannot outrank hundreds of strong ones.
- No payment: no office can pay to appear or to move up. Any future sponsored listing would be labelled and shown separately.
How help centers are selected
- Free help: government legal aid, bar association legal-aid centres and embassy lists of lawyers.
- Everyday legal problems: legal aid societies, legal services programs, court self-help centers, bar association programs and law-school clinics near you.
- Left out: notarios, tax and "multiservice" shops, insurance agencies and help centers rated below 4 stars.
- All of Tanzania: every region.
Listings and ratings come from Google; office websites are checked automatically. Always confirm a lawyer's licence with the Tanganyika Law Society before hiring.
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- You describe the situationIn your own words and your own language, with the place where it happened.
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