Just getting our visa application filled out for Tanzania. The Tanzanian Embassy is requiring things such as copies of a recent bank statement and/or a pay stub. Has anyone done this? If so, can I black out our account number info etc. This is a little strange. We have traveled to many countries and gotten visas for many and we have never had to provide a bank statement. Any thoughts/comments appreciated.

I thought it was really strange too, but Travisa (the service we used to get our visas) assured us that it was necessary. We provided an account statement with the number blacked out.

Chris

We got ours in Arusha after flying in from Wilson - I handed them the money & the application filled out & they did whatever is they do in their computer & stamped my passport and gave it to me. That was that! So easy, no line up, and they never asked for a bank statement.

We just received our visas (for a 35-day visit this August) from the Tanzanian embassy in Ottawa. We received them by mail within in a week of our sending in our application. We were not required to provide any banking information - just our passports, a passport photo, and copies of our flight itinerary. Robin

I've gotten my Tanzanian visa at the Kilimanjaro airport the last few trips. You can just use the form you've got, have US$100 ready (if you're an American citizen... less for others), and pay at the airport. No photo or bank info is needed. I'd suggest using smaller bills for the visa, not a $100 bill, as those are the most commonly counterfeited and they may be reluctant to take one. You'll just find the line for visas, do the transaction, and proceed to baggage claim. You don't have to go through the immigration line (at least at Kilimanjaro.) You'll have to stand in one line or the other, so why go through the hassle of getting your visa before you go?

Is this a request of the Tanzanian Embassy in the States? It seems Canadians (Lynda, Robin and myself) don't have to produce a bank statement. I've acquired Visa's by both means (mail-in and upon arrival at airport) and have never needed anything other than my $$, application and passport.

Just get your visa when you arrive in Tanzania. I really don't like sending my passport for any visas if I don't have to. I have done this for 7 years now without a single issue.

I have never provided banking info., just the $100 payment upon arrival. Like the others, I would avoid sending my passport through the mail. It is not big deal to get your visa upon arrival at Killi. Hint: gather a few fellow travelers around at airport and tell the visa official that there are a whole bunch of you needing visas. They will then expedite the entire groups paperwork. I have done this the last three times, each time it was the same script. Once I called the embassy in the US and they told me not to bother providing banking assurance statements. Trtavel agents will generally tell you that the most they may require is evidence that you do in fact have prepaid travel arrangements.
Ted

A number of recent queries here on Fodor's and TA on this subject for obtaining from Tanzania Embassy in Washington DC, have made same mention. Not sure whether the Consular office in NYC asks for the same, though haven't heard this from those who obtained visa there.

Best to just get your visa on arrival at JRO. Complete the application, hand over with passport and USD$100 (US passport holders) or USD$50 most others and joila... they stamp visa in passport. No photos required.

If you don't want to provide the info, which really isn't unual. Many countries want to be certain that visitors have sufficient funds so they aren't responsible for your upkeep if you don't leave on time, get ill, etc. However, if going on a prepaid safari, this info really shouldn't be necessary. Don't do it, if you feel uncomfortable.

Get visa on arrival!

Living near Washington, DC, I dropped into the Tanzania Embassy last year to get my visa. Sandi's right: if you've paid for your trip in advance, as I had, it's sufficient to show a receipt. I would be very reluctant to share account information (balances, acc't numbers). Steve

When you get to the border, there is a nice office/house where you step in and within minutes have your visa and are on your way. It was very easy, fast, and no problem.

You can provide a copy of your prepaid itinerary along with invoice from the safari provider... should be sufficient.

Still, just get on arrival.

In general, getting your visa at the border is probably a better option and cheaper too, depending on where you go. (Unless you plan on an extended stay, you probably don't need to get one in advance or if you're going to some place with political problems. ) Anywhere on the classic safari routes in East Africa or Southern Africa you can get by without having to get a visa in Advance. An exception is the Democratic Republic of Congo where you have to get a letter of invitation and other endorsements from within the country to go visit.

I think the reason why they ask you for a bank statement is to make sure you have the funds to travel, stay in the country and travel home.

Thank you EVERYONE for your replies. This provides me with better clarification. I greatly appreciate the advice and comments!