There are some countries whse nationals require special clearance from the Commissioner General of Immigration or the Commissioner of Immigration (Zanzibar) prior to issuance of the Visa. These countries fall under the Referral Visa Category.
Applicants who fall under the Referral Visa category though they may apply online direct, but are advised, to firstly seek clearance from the commissioner General of Immigration or Commissioner of Zanzibar as the case may be, through their host in Tanzania. Once the permission letter is granted, that is when the applicant is advised to start applying online, and he/she should attach the permission letter as one of the attachments. The host institution’s (or individual) covering letter must detail the purpose and duration of visit of the prospective visitor, and letter should be addressed to the Commissioner General of immigration, S.L.P 512, Dar es Salaam or Commissioner of immigration Zanzibar, S.L.P 1354, Zanzibar, as the case may be.
Note: Refugees who hold Vienna Convention documents (Travel Documents) are also required to obtain referral visa prior to coming to Tanzania.
| Afghanistan | Azerbaijan | Bangladesh | Chad |
| Djibouti | Ethiopia | Eritrea | Equatorial Guinea |
| Iran | Iraq | Kazakhstan Republic | Kyigten Republic |
| Lebanon | Mali | Mauritania | Niger |
| Nigeria | Pakistan | Palestine | Senegal |
| Somalia | Sri Lanka | Somaliland | Sierra Leone |
| Syria | Tajikistan | Turkmenistan | Uzbekistan |
| Yemen | Stateless Persons | People with Refugee Status |
NB:
The following countries were recently added on the Referral Countries category (W.E.F 26 September, 2018):
Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan, Syria and Yemen.
NB:
Applicants whose nationals fall under this category (Referral) are not advised to book flight tickets or make payments for any reservations in Tanzania before they get approval for their Visa. Applicants of Referral Visa are advised to apply at least two months before their date of travel.
Applicants or host Institutions are required to review the List of countries (from our website) which fall under Referral Visa from time to time as there might be some changes.
Note:
Stateless persons and Refugees who hold Vienna Convention documents are also required to obtain referral visa prior to coming to Tanzania.