Visa information

Tanzanian citizens require a visa to enter the Schengen territory, i.e. Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

Finland represents Estonia and Hungary in Tanzania in visa matters.

It should be noted that some European countries such as Ireland, Russia, Turkey and the United Kingdom are not parties to the Schengen agreement.

• If you intend to visit only one Schengen country, you must apply at the Embassy or Consulate of that country.

• If you intend to visit several Schengen countries, you must apply for a visa at the Embassy or Consulate of the country that is your main destination/ longest stay.

• If you intend to visit several countries but do not have a main destination, you should apply for a visa at the Embassy or Consulate of the country of your first point of entry.

General information on the visa issues can be found on the web site of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs:

http://formin.finland.fi/public/default.aspx?contentid=69601&nodeid=15716&contentlan=2&culture=en-US

General Schengen Visa requirements:

Before submitting the application, please check that you have answered ALL questions duly and completely and that you have all the requested supporting documents. Incomplete applications will NOT be processed.

• Clearly and completely filled in and signed Schengen visa application EC 109 (available from consular web sites, or consular offices).
• Tanzanian passport, which must be valid for a period of at least 3 months beyond the applicant’s last day of stay in the Schengen states. Please ensure that the passport has a blank page to affix visa. Non-Tanzanian passports – applicants must have a valid work- or residence permit in Tanzania.
• One recent passport sized photograph in colour. The photo should be taken against a plain, light coloured background. The dimensions should be: height 47 mm, width 36 mm, the distance between the bottom of the chin and the top of the head without hair 32-36 mm. The photo must be clear and good quality.
• Proof of round trip airline reservation, such as a booking slip with dates and flight numbers specifying entry and exit from Schengen state. Wait-list is not accepted. Some Schengen authorities accept the itinerary when applying for the visa but request the original air-ticket when visa is collected. Please provide a copy as well.
• The visa of the final country of destination (if needed) must be obtained before applying for a Schengen visa.
• Proof of sufficient funds for duration of stay, e.g.:  € 30,00 per travelling day for Finland. Min. amount required is different in each country – please check with the appropriate consular authority  (Traveler's cheques, bank and credit card statements, payslip or other evidence to show that the applicant has enough money to support him/herself.           
• Travel/health/accident insurance with minimum medical coverage of Euro 30.000,00. (Applicants must present insurance policy and a photocopy). The insurance must be valid in all Schengen countries and for the whole period of staying in the Schengen area.
• Accommodation: confirmed hotel reservation (hotel vouchers are not necessarily accepted as proof of confirmed hotel booking). If applicant is staying with a relative or friend a letter from the host with copy of passport or ID. Document that has been stamped by the pertinent authorities may be requested
• For business: an official business letter from a company in a Schengen state and an introduction letter from employer stating purpose of visit must be presented.
• Certified parental consent, by both parents for children under 18 traveling alone. If the child travels with only one parent, the other parent must produce the notarized/certified consent. If only one parent has guardianship of minor, the court documents stating so must be presented. Certain consular authorities require that both parents sign before a consular official.  Original birth certificate or affidavit must be presented.
• Visit to family members –family ties must be documented, e.g. by providing original marriage or birth certificate.

Visa check-list (PDF)

It is the applicant’s responsibility to make copies of all the requested supporting documents, which should be kept together with the ticket/passports in case of questions at departure/entry points. Both originals and copies have to be submitted to the embassy. Once submitted to the embassy, it will not return any supporting documents except passport to the applicant.Additional documents:

The application must be submitted personally and the applicant shall be interviewed. Additional interviews may be requested.

Applications sent thru mail will not be processed.

• Proof of employment: (e.g. letter from company stating continuing employment after period of leave and duration of vacation etc)
• Bank and credit card statements for last 3 months.
• A personal interview with the applicant maybe requested at any time

Please note:

1. Visa applications will be rejected if application forms are not fully completed and signed and are not accompanied by the required documents.
2. The possession of a visa is only one of the prerequisites for entry into the territory of the Schengen state. Should the Schengen State’s border authority refuse entry, no claim to reimbursement of the visa can be submitted.
3. The Schengen State’s Consular offices reserve the right to request further documentation should it be deemed necessary.
4. For organized groups arrangements should be made well in advance with relevant issuing authority. There is no guarantee that a visa will be issued and no rights can be derived from the information obtained in the general Schengen visa requirements
5. Visa processing fees are not reimbursable if a visa application is withdrawn or reject.
6. The Schengen State’s Consular officers reserve the right to investigate into the genuinity of the documentation presented, either by the issuing authority (e.g. employer, immigration, registry of marriages deaths and births) or reference persons/companies in the country intended to visit.

The Embassy does not issue visas for participating entrance exams in Finland.

Handling time of visa applications varies between 10-30 calenadar days.

Handling fee must be paid in cash in Tanzanian shillings. Fee is equivalent of 60 euros (adults)/35 euros (for minors 6-12 years) according to the current exchange rate. The fee is non-refundable.

Spouses of EU citizens and their children under 21 do not pay the administrative fees for the processing of visas. Other groups exempted from the visa fee are children under six years of age and some others specified in the Degree of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the Fees for Services produced by the Foreign Service (http://www.finlex.fi/fi/laki/alkup/2011/20111353). Copies of spouse's EU passport, Marriage/Birth certificates etc. must be submitted with application as proof of relationship with EU spouse/parent.

Residents of Rwanda, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo submit their visa applications to the Embassy of Belgium in these countries.

http://diplomatie.belgium.be/rwanda/

http://diplomatie.belgium.be/burundi/

http://www.diplomatie.be/kinshasafr/default.asp?id=29&mnu=29