Do Chinese citizens need a visa for Tanzania? Yes. PRC ordinary passport holders must obtain a visa before travelling or at the port of entry, whether they are going for tourism, to visit family or on business. The good news is that China is not on Tanzania’s “referral visa” list, which means approval is relatively straightforward: you can apply for an e-visa online without waiting for case-by-case referral to immigration headquarters.
This guide sets out the visa types, fees, documents, processing times and application channels that matter to Chinese citizens, and explains which route to take if you want to work, study or invest long term. Visa policies can change at any time. Every figure here is sourced and dated, but check the latest notices from Tanzania’s Immigration Department and the Tanzanian Embassy in Beijing before you travel.
Do Chinese citizens need a visa for Tanzania?
Yes. Tanzania currently has no visa waiver for PRC ordinary passports; diplomatic and service passports are covered by separate rules. Chinese citizens have three options:
- e-visa (recommended): apply and pay online through the Immigration Department’s official e-services portal, then print the approval letter to board.
- Embassy visa: submit a paper application to the Tanzanian Embassy in Beijing, useful for business trips and groups that need the embassy to review documents in person.
- Visa on arrival: the Tanzanian Embassy in Beijing says visas can also be obtained on arrival at designated entry points, and the e-visa guidelines state that only referral-category nationals cannot get one (China is not in that category). Check the fee and payment method at the port. Queues and requests for extra documents make it unpredictable, so it should not be your first choice.
Two changes from 2024–2026 are worth knowing. Since 1 October 2024, visitors to Zanzibar must buy mandatory travel insurance from the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation. And the Immigration Department’s e-visa guidelines state that approved e-visas currently require entry through one of five designated points: Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam, Kilimanjaro International Airport, Abeid Amani Karume International Airport in Zanzibar, and the Namanga and Tunduma land borders.
Tanzania visa types at a glance
| Visa | For | Length of stay | Fee | Where to apply |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ordinary visa (tourism / visiting) | Tourism, holidays, family visits, medical treatment | Single entry, up to 90 days | e-visa US$50; embassy tourist visa RMB 415 (express RMB 600) | e-visa, embassy in Beijing, port of entry |
| Business visa | Short trips, meetings, negotiations, short assignments | Up to 90 days, not extendable | US$250 (e-visa); RMB 1,700 at the embassy (express RMB 1,885) | e-visa, embassy in Beijing |
| Multiple-entry visa | Frequent business travellers and others | Valid up to 12 months, max. 90 days per stay (you must leave at least every three months) | US$100 (same in e-visa guidelines and at the embassy) | With supporting documents |
| Transit visa | Passing through to a third country | Up to 7 days | US$30 | e-visa, embassy in Beijing |
| Student visa | Study, exchange, research | Up to 2 years | Up to 3 months US$50; over 3 months US$250; research US$550 | e-visa (letter from institution needed) |
Note: the Immigration Department’s e-visa guidelines (checked 19 October 2026) list US$50 for an ordinary visa, US$250 for a business visa, US$100 for a multiple-entry visa and US$30 for a transit visa. The embassy in Beijing charges in RMB (RMB 415 for a tourist visa, RMB 1,700 for a business visa), and its US-dollar table also lists a one-year multiple-entry tourist visa for Chinese citizens at US$100. The amount shown by the system or the embassy when you apply is what counts, and visa fees are never refunded.
How to apply for a short-term visa
- Choose the right typeOrdinary visa for tourism and family visits; business visa for trips and meetings. Neither allows you to work.
- Check your passportAt least six months’ validity and at least one blank visa page.
- Apply onlineUse only the Immigration Department’s official portal and upload your passport bio page, photo, tickets and supporting documents.
- Pay onlineBy Visa or Mastercard, or by bank transfer as instructed; keep the payment confirmation.
- Wait for approvalImmigration says applications are processed within 10 days; apply at least two to three weeks ahead.
- Print the approval and travelPrint the visa approval letter and enter through a designated port; the officer decides your length of stay on arrival.
Document checklist
Compiled from the Tanzanian Embassy in Beijing’s visa notes and the Immigration Department’s e-visa guidelines (checked October 2026):
| Category | Main documents |
|---|---|
| All applicants | Passport valid for at least 6 months and a copy of the bio page; signed application form in English; two 2-inch photos on a light blue or white background; original yellow fever vaccination certificate; hotel confirmation |
| Individual tourists | Itinerary and hotel booking from a Tanzanian tour operator; stamped leave approval from your employer (retirees: retirement certificate; freelancers: bank statements showing at least RMB 50,000); return ticket within three months; parental consent for minors |
| Business | Invitation from the Tanzanian company; its certificate of incorporation, business licence, TIN and latest tax clearance; the inviter’s passport or Class A/B residence permit; dispatch letter and business licence copy from your Chinese employer; return ticket |
| Visiting family or friends | Invitation letter and the inviter’s passport; if the inviter is Tanzanian, a marriage certificate or household register proving the relationship; if the inviter is a foreigner, their residence permit, employer letter, company licence and tax clearance; leave approval and return ticket |
If your passport is about to expire or is short of blank pages, renew it in China first – see our guide to getting and renewing a Chinese passport (read it here).
Fees and processing times
- e-visa: ordinary visa US$50; Immigration says applications are usually processed within 10 days, while referral-list nationals must apply two months ahead (China is not on that list).
- Embassy in Beijing: tourist visa RMB 415 for standard processing (6 working days) or RMB 600 express (3 working days); business visa RMB 1,700 standard or RMB 1,885 express. The embassy fee table also lists surcharges of US$50 for next-day and US$100 for same-day collection.
- Payment: the embassy does not accept cash and must be paid as it instructs; e-visas are paid online by card. No visa fee is refundable.
Many look-alike “Tanzania e-visa” agency sites charge several times the official fee, and a few take the money and never apply. The only official platform is the Immigration Department’s e-services portal (eservices.immigration.go.tz).
Work and long-term residence
To work in Tanzania you need two documents: a work permit from the labour authorities and a residence permit from the Immigration Department. Under the Non-Citizens (Employment Regulation) Act 2015, the employer must first show that no Tanzanian can fill the job and then apply on the employee’s behalf. Since October 2022 work permits can be applied for online.
There are three classes of residence permit: Class A for investors and the self-employed, Class B for employed foreign professionals (the most common route for Chinese staff), and Class C for students, researchers, missionaries, volunteers, retired persons and others. A Class B application usually needs a signed employment contract, passport, photos, CV, academic and professional certificates, and references from previous employers. Degree certificates normally have to be notarised and legalised; see our guide to apostilles and legalisation (read it here).
Many employees of Chinese companies enter on a business visa and then try to “switch” to a work permit. This is risky: business visas explicitly do not allow work, and people caught working on one can be fined and deported. The correct way is for the employer to start the permit application before you travel.
Student visas
To study or do research in Tanzania you can apply for a student visa of up to two years. You need a letter from the Tanzanian institution stating the course and its length. Fees depend on duration: US$50 for up to three months, US$250 for longer, and US$550 for research; students from East African Community countries and exchange students pay nothing. Longer studies usually also require a Class C residence permit.
Family reunification
Spouses and children of work or residence permit holders can accompany them as dependants, with marriage and birth certificates. Chinese marriage certificates and birth certificates usually have to be notarised first and then apostilled or legalised. Spouses of Tanzanian citizens or residents have a dedicated category in the e-visa system (US$100), which requires the marriage certificate and the spouse’s passport or national ID.
Investment, digital nomad or retirement visas
Tanzania currently has no “golden visa”, digital nomad visa or stand-alone retirement visa for ordinary foreigners, although the Tanzanian Embassy in Beijing lists retired persons among those eligible for a Class C residence permit, so retirees can ask the Immigration Department about that route. Investors use the Class A residence permit: register a company, complete investment registration, then apply for a work permit and residence permit. Investment registration and incentives are handled by Tanzania’s investment authority, whose structure was reorganised from 2025, so check current official thresholds before you commit.
Where to apply in China
The Tanzanian Embassy is at 8 Liangmahe Nanlu, Sanlitun, Chaoyang District, Beijing (tel. +86 10 6532 1408, email beijing@nje.go.tz). Applications are accepted Monday to Friday 9:00–13:00 and collected Monday to Thursday 15:00–17:00 and Friday 12:00–14:00, with no appointment needed. Applicants outside Beijing are usually better off applying for an e-visa online and saving the trip.
Common reasons for refusal
- Wrong visa type: for example, applying for a tourist visa to work on a construction site. Immigration states that applications filed under the wrong category or without sufficient attachments may be rejected.
- Incomplete or unclear documents: invitations without company registration details, thin bank statements, non-compliant photos.
- Purpose and itinerary don’t match: flights, hotels and the stated reason for travel tell different stories.
- Previous overstays or illegal work: violations in Tanzania or elsewhere count against you.
A visa does not guarantee entry: the immigration officer can still refuse you. Carry your invitation, hotel booking, return ticket and yellow fever certificate, and keep your answers consistent with your application.
From visa to permanent residence and citizenship
Long-term residence in Tanzania rests on Class A, B and C residence permits, which must be renewed on schedule; renewals look again at your job or investment. Permit applications often require a Chinese police clearance certificate – see our guide to getting one (read it here). For renewals, dependants and other details, see our guide to Tanzanian residence permits (read it here).
Naturalisation after long residence depends on Tanzania’s citizenship law. China does not recognise dual nationality, and acquiring a foreign nationality means automatically losing Chinese nationality, so read our guide to dual nationality and China’s Nationality Law first (read it here). For life, health care and the Chinese community in Tanzania, go back to our complete Tanzania guide (read it here).
FAQ
How long does a Tanzania visa take?
e-visas are usually decided within 10 days; the embassy in Beijing takes 6 working days for standard processing and 3 for express. Peak season or document problems can add time, so apply at least three weeks ahead.
What documents do I need for a Tanzania tourist visa?
Passport, application form, photos, yellow fever certificate, hotel booking, return ticket, and a leave letter or proof of funds. For e-visas, upload whatever the system asks for.
Can I go on a tourist visa and look for work there?
Not advisable. Neither the ordinary nor the business visa allows work. The correct order is to find an employer, have them apply for your work and residence permits, and then travel.
Do I need a separate visa for Zanzibar?
No. Zanzibar is part of Tanzania and uses the same visa. Since 1 October 2024, however, foreign visitors must buy Zanzibar’s mandatory travel insurance, so arrange it before you go.
Sources
- Visa Guidelines, Tanzania Immigration Department e-Services (accessed October 2026)
- Visa Information, Embassy of the United Republic of Tanzania in Beijing (accessed October 2026)
- Embassy of the United Republic of Tanzania in Beijing (contacts) (accessed October 2026)
- Tanzania Immigration Department e-Services portal (accessed October 2026)
- Tanzania: Visas & Permits, G-P Globalpedia (employer-of-record firm; backup source) (accessed October 2026)
- Visa policy of Tanzania, Wikipedia (backup source for visa-on-arrival and Zanzibar insurance rules) (accessed October 2026)
- 对外投资合作国别（地区）指南：坦桑尼亚（2025年版），商务部 (accessed October 2026)
- VISA Entry Requirements, Embassy of the United Republic of Tanzania in Beijing (accessed October 2026)
- Residence and Work Permits Class A, B and C, Embassy of the United Republic of Tanzania in Beijing (accessed October 2026)
