Russia entry requirements for Tanzania passport holders

Checked daily · Updated May 29, 2026·View sources
Visa required
Max stay
No fixed limit
Passport validity
6 months
Beyond entry date
Return ticket
Required
Or onward travel proof
Proof of funds
Recommended
May be checked

Tanzanian passport holders need a visa to enter Russia. Apply online before you travel — there are no visa-on-arrival options. Processing can take 2–3 weeks, so start your application at least a month before your trip.

Entry requirements

RequirementDetailsStatus
Visa application
Apply for a visa at the Russian Embassy or Consulate
Tanzanian passport holders need a visa before traveling to Russia. Apply at the Russian Embassy in Dar es Salaam or the nearest Russian consulate. Processing takes 10–20 working days, and you'll need a visa invitation letter (voucher) from a Russian travel agency or hotel.Apply for visaRequired
Valid passport
Must be valid for the entire stay
Your passport must be valid for the entire duration of your stay in Russia. No minimum validity beyond departure is required by Russian immigration, but airlines may enforce 6 months validity — check with your carrier before booking.Required
Return or onward ticket
Proof of departure from Russia
Immigration officers at Russian airports routinely ask for a return or onward ticket. Have a printed or digital copy ready showing your departure from Russia within your visa's validity period.Required
Proof of accommodation
Hotel booking or invitation letter
You need a confirmed hotel reservation or a visa invitation letter (voucher) showing your address in Russia. Immigration may ask for this at the border, and your visa application requires it.Recommended
Proof of funds
Show sufficient money for your stay
Russian immigration can ask for proof of funds — carry bank statements or cash equivalent to at least $500 USD per person for a short trip. Credit cards are widely accepted in major cities.Recommended
Visa processing takes time
Start your application at least 4 weeks before your trip. The e-visa can take 2–3 weeks to process, and you'll need time to gather documents and fix any issues.
No visa on arrival — apply online only
There is no visa-on-arrival option for Tanzanians. The only way to get a visa is through the official Russian e-visa portal. Ignore any third-party sites that promise faster processing — they're scams.

What happens at the border

1
Apply for your e-visa online
Go to https://evisa.kdmid.ru/ and create an account. Fill in your personal details, upload a passport-style photo and a scan of your passport bio page. Pay the visa fee (around $50–$80 depending on nationality). Submit and wait for approval — typically 2–3 weeks.
2
Prepare your documents
Print or save to your phone: the approved e-visa (PDF), your passport, return ticket, and hotel booking. Keep them together in a folder or a notes app.
3
Arrive at a Russian airport
At passport control, hand over your passport and the e-visa printout (or show it on your phone). The officer will scan your passport and stamp you in. Common entry points: Moscow Sheremetyevo (SVO), Domodedovo (DME), St Petersburg Pulkovo (LED).
4
Register your stay
Within 7 days of arrival, your hotel or host must register your visa with the local migration office. If you're in a hotel, they handle it automatically. If staying with friends, remind them to do it — it's a legal requirement.
Download Russia Entry Checklist
PDF · Tanzania Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated May 29, 2026
Download PDF

Staying longer & fees

Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:

Tourist visa (single entry)
Max stay30 days
Validity3 months from issue date
Cost~$50 USD

Standard option for short visits.

Tourist visa (multiple entry)
Max stay30 days per entry
Validity6 months from issue date
Cost~$100 USD

Suitable for multiple trips within validity.

Long-stay visa (work/study)
Max stayUp to 1 year
Validity1 year
Cost~$200 USD

Requires invitation from employer or educational institution.

work visa
Work Visa (Rabochaya Visa)
Up to 1 year, renewable
~$200 USD
For those with a job offer from a Russian employer. Requires work permit and invitation.
student visa
Student Visa (Uchebnaya Visa)
Duration of studies, up to 1 year renewable
~$100 USD
For enrollment in a Russian educational institution. Requires invitation from the institution.
investor visa
Investor Visa
Up to 3 years, renewable
~$500 USD
For significant investors in the Russian economy. Minimum investment amount applies.
Other fees
ServiceCost
Tourist visa (single entry)Standard fee for Tanzanian passport holders; subject to change.~$50 USD (equivalent in local currency)
Tourist visa (multiple entry)Allows multiple entries within validity period.~$100 USD (equivalent in local currency)
Overstay fine per dayMaximum cap may apply; check with immigration.~$10 USD per day

Common reasons for entry denial

Insufficient funds proof30%
No return ticket25%
Incomplete visa application20%

Approval probability calculator

Answer 6 quick questions — we'll estimate how likely you are to be approved for entry based on typical immigration patterns.

Transiting through Russia

Transit visa required

Tanzanian passport holders generally need a transit visa to change planes in Russia, even if staying airside.

Exceptions & conditions
  • Holders of valid US, UK, or Schengen visas may transit without a visa for up to 72 hours at certain airports.
Transit hubsSheremetyevo International Airport (SVO) · Domodedovo International Airport (DME) · Vnukovo International Airport (VKO)

Health & vaccines for Russia

Required for entry
Yellow FeverRequired if arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission.
Recommended vaccines
Hepatitis ARecommendedTyphoidConsiderRoutine vaccines (MMR, DTaP, polio, influenza)Essential
Health risks
Tick-borne encephalitisModerate risk

Risk in forested areas, especially in spring and summer.

RabiesLow risk

Risk from animal bites; avoid contact with stray animals.

Air pollutionModerate risk

Urban areas may have high pollution levels; consider masks if sensitive.

Based on CDC and WHO guidance. Consult a travel medicine clinic 4–6 weeks before departure for personalised advice.

Immigration offices for extensions

Moscow
Main Directorate for Migration Affairs of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia
ul. Bolshaya Lubyanka, 12, Moscow
Mon–Fri 09:00–18:00

Central office for visa extensions and registration.

Saint Petersburg
Migration Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs for Saint Petersburg and Leningrad Oblast
ul. Krasnogo Tekstilshchika, 10-12, Saint Petersburg
Mon–Fri 09:00–18:00

Handles visa-related issues for the region.

Practical information for TZ travellers

Country basics
CapitalMoscow
LanguageRussian
Driving sideRight-hand traffic
US driving licenceUS visitors can drive with a valid US license for up to 60 days, but an International Driving Permit is recommended.
Money
CurrencyRussian Ruble (RUB)
Exchange rate
1 USD = 71.07 RUB
updated May 30
Time zone
Local timeUTC+3
vs New York+8h
vs Los Angeles+11h
Electricity
Voltage220V / 50Hz
Plug types
C,FType C (two round pins) and Type F (two round pins with grounding clips)
⚠ US adapter needed
Water & health
Tap water
Not safe — use bottled
Tap water is not safe to drink; boil or use bottled water.
Emergency numbers
Police102
Medical103
US EmbassyFind contact

Frequently asked questions

No. Tanzania is not eligible for visa on arrival. You must apply for an e-visa online before you travel. The application is at evisa.kdmid.ru and takes 2–3 weeks to process.
The fee is typically around $50–$80 USD, depending on your nationality and processing speed. You pay online during the application. There are no additional fees at the airport.
The e-visa allows a maximum stay of 16 days from the date of entry. You cannot extend it. If you need longer, you must apply for a regular visa at the Russian embassy in Dar es Salaam.
If you're staying in the international transit zone and not passing through passport control, you don't need a visa. But if you leave the airport or change terminals that require exiting, you need a transit visa. Check with your airline before booking.
Your application will be rejected. You must renew your passport first. The 6-month validity is counted from the day you enter Russia, not the day you apply.
No. The e-visa is single-entry. If you leave Russia, you cannot re-enter on the same visa. You'd need to apply for a new one.
Yes. Your hotel or host must register your visa with the local migration office within 7 days of your arrival. Hotels do this automatically. If staying with friends, remind them — failure to register can result in fines or deportation.

Official sources

Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on May 29, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.