Check the official site before you travel. imptmanhattan.com is a hotel and travel site; it does not issue visas or ESTAs and this is not legal advice. Rules change: confirm on esta.cbp.dhs.gov and travel.state.gov.
| Status | Visitor visas suspended |
|---|---|
| Visa or authorization | Partial suspension: B-1/B-2 visitor visas included |
| Where to apply | Check the State Department notice first |
| Fees and processing | Set by the US government: check the official site |
| Arrival | Inspection by US Customs and Border Protection at the airport |
Tanzania is not in the Visa Waiver Program, so an ESTA is not open to Tanzanian citizens. A US visitor visa is the usual route, but under Presidential Proclamation 10998 the issuance of new B-1/B-2 visas to Tanzanian nationals is partly suspended, with limited exceptions. Visas issued before the proclamation still stand. Check the State Department's announcement on travel.state.gov before you book or pay for anything.
What the status means
Tanzania does not take part in the Visa Waiver Program, so an ESTA is not available to Tanzanian passport holders traveling to the United States. A visitor visa, B-1 for business and B-2 for tourism, is the standard route to Manhattan. Under Presidential Proclamation 10998, in force since January 1, 2026, the issuance of new visitor visas to Tanzanian nationals is suspended (the partial suspension covers B-1/B-2 visitor visas), with a few limited exceptions.
The suspension applies to new visas. Visitor visas issued before the proclamation were not revoked, and existing holders can travel on them while they remain valid. If you are a dual national holding a passport from another country, an exception may apply. Read the State Department's announcement on travel.state.gov before you pay for flights, hotels or anything else that cannot be refunded.
Before you fly and on arrival
Applications are handled by the US embassy or consulate that covers Tanzania. Start with travel.state.gov for the current form, the photograph rules and the procedure for booking an appointment. A consular officer decides each case, and no third party can guarantee an outcome. Bring proof of your trip, your funds and your ties to home, because those papers support the interview.
New York's three main airports are John F. Kennedy, LaGuardia and Newark Liberty. On arrival, Customs and Border Protection officers inspect your passport and visa and ask about the purpose and length of your visit. Have your hotel address and your return or onward booking ready. Entry rules change, so confirm current requirements with the airline and the official US sites before departure.
Staying in Manhattan
A hotel confirmation with a Manhattan address helps at the border and at check-in. Book a rate that can be cancelled while your visa position is unclear, and keep the confirmation with your travel documents. The subway and commuter rail reach most of the island, so a room a few stops from the main sights can work well for a longer stay.
From Kennedy and Newark, public trains connect to Manhattan's main stations, and buses serve all three airports. Follow the signs in the terminal for ground transport and buy tickets from the official counters or machines. Check the current route and fare before you travel, since services and timetables change. A pre-booked car is another option, and road trips run longer at rush hour.
Longer stays, work or study
A visitor visa covers tourism, family visits and short business meetings. Study, employment, internships and stays of several months need a different category, such as a student or work visa, and each has its own requirements and sponsor. The embassy and consulate pages on travel.state.gov list the categories and the forms. Applying in the wrong category can delay a trip or lead to a refusal.
Nothing on this page is legal advice, and this guide does not issue visas or ESTAs. Confirm the current position with the US embassy or consulate before committing to a course, a semester or a job offer in New York. If a visitor visa is refused or not issued under the proclamation, an employer or school can explain the categories that may still be open.
Checklist
Step by step
- Read the State Department's announcement on Presidential Proclamation 10998 before making any travel plans.
- Check whether an exception fits, such as dual nationality or a visitor visa already issued.
- Contact the US embassy or consulate covering Tanzania about a new visitor visa application.
- Plan nothing non-refundable, including flights and hotels, until the visa position is clear.
- Check travel.state.gov again for any change to the rules shortly before departure.
Documents to carry
- Passport with any earlier US visas still inside
- Hotel confirmation showing a Manhattan address and your dates
- Return or onward ticket and a simple plan for the days in New York
- Evidence of funds for the trip and of ties to home
Tanzanian citizens: questions
Do Tanzanian citizens need a visa to visit Manhattan?
Yes. Tanzania is outside the Visa Waiver Program, so an ESTA is not available and a US visitor visa is required. Under Presidential Proclamation 10998 the issuance of new B-1/B-2 visas to Tanzanian nationals is partly suspended, with limited exceptions. Check travel.state.gov before booking.
Can Tanzanian citizens who already hold a US visa still travel?
Visas issued before the proclamation took effect were not revoked, so a valid visitor visa can still be used to travel and to ask for entry. The officer at the airport decides on admission. Carry the visa in the passport you used to apply, and check travel.state.gov for changes before departure.
Is an ESTA an option for Tanzanian passport holders?
No. ESTA is open only to travelers from Visa Waiver Program countries, and Tanzania is not one of them. A Tanzanian citizen who applies through esta.cbp.dhs.gov will not be approved and should not pay anything there. The visitor visa route through travel.state.gov is the one that applies.
Where do Tanzanian citizens apply for a US visitor visa?
Applications go through the US embassy or consulate that covers Tanzania. Start at travel.state.gov for the form, the photograph rules and the appointment procedure, then follow the local embassy instructions. Ask consular staff how the proclamation affects a new application, and keep copies of everything you submit.
What should Tanzanian citizens show at a New York airport?
Expect a short interview with Customs and Border Protection at Kennedy, LaGuardia or Newark. Officers ask about the purpose of the trip, the length of stay and where you will sleep in Manhattan. Keep the hotel confirmation, a return ticket and proof of funds within reach.
Where will you stay in Manhattan?
Midtown for a first visit, SoHo or the West Village for character, the Upper West Side for the park. Live prices for your dates open in the IMPT app.
Photo credits: Pexels.