All foreigners intending to reside in the United Republic of Tanzania for investment, business, employment or any other legal activity may be issued with Residence Permit. There are three types of Residence Permits in Tanzania which are Residence Permit Class A, B, and C. However, there are various sub-categories to this broad classification of Residence Permit as described in the Residence Permit Matrix.

Types of Residence Permits in Tanzania

There are three types of residence permits, namely: –

• Class A: For self –employed foreigners (investors)
• Class B: For expatriates working in company/ private institutions.
• Class C: For other class of foreigners such as researchers, retired persons, Missionaries, Volunteers etc.

Resident Permit Issuance Statuses

Issuance statuses are designed to recognized and differentiate new applicants versus existing holders of residence; and to create uniformity in decision making among Immigration Officers in Residence Permit Section.

Residence Issuance Status Is as Follows

• First Grant (FG) – For first application.
• Returnee (RT) – For applicant who is re-joining his previous institution/ company after long time absence.
• Second Grant (SG) – For applicant changing from one category of residence to another e.g. from Class B to Class A in same institution/company.
• Replacement (RPL) – For applicant renewing his application after expiration.
• Re-Grant 1(RG1) – applicant changing from one institution to another in the same residence class. From Class A to Class A.
• Re-Grant 2(RG2) – applicant changing from one institution to another into different residence class. e.g. from Class B to Class A.

Residence Permit Class A

May be granted to a person who intends to enter or remain in Tanzania and engage on self-employed investment in the field of prospecting and Mining, Agriculture and animal husbandry, profession and Consultancy Services, Professional Arts, Manufacturing and Processing, Larger scale Investment and Trade, Hospitality Industry and related activities, Information Technology and IT activities, Transport and Linguistics, Construction Industry, Real Estate Industry and other Investments. The applicant can apply electronically to the Immigration headquarters, Zanzibar head office, Tanzania Investment Centre (TIC), Export Processing Zone Authority (EPZA) and Zanzibar Investment Promotion Authority (ZIPA)

General Requirements for Residence Permit Class ‘A’

• Dully filled online application
• Application letter
• A Copy of National Passport (With validity of not less than six months)
• Passport size photograph
• One full size photograph
• Registration Certificates from Relevant Authorities (in case the Business requires Authorization from specific Regulatory Authority)
• Certificate of Incentive (in case the business or project has been registered with Tanzania Investment Centre – TIC or Zanzibar Investment Promotion Authority – ZIPA and EPZA)
• Board Resolution I.e. Extract of the Board Meeting resolving to appoint the applicant as a Director (where the applicant is not among the first Director)
• Memorandum and Articles of Association or Extract from Registrar showing Company shareholders, share distribution and nominal capital of the company
• Certificate of incorporation or Certificate compliance or Business Name Registration or Certificate of change of name
• Valid Business license
• Tax payment slips
• Valid tax clearance certificate
• Lease agreement or Certificate of Occupancy
• List which shows company assets
• Physical Verification Visit Report (PVV) where necessary
• Company Current Bank Statement where necessary

Residence Permit Class B

Residence Permit Class “B” is issued to a foreigner who possesses qualification or skills, preferably in highly technical occupations, that are not readily available in the local labor market. This covers foreigners with rare professions having specific employment by specific employer and professionals working in Government and Private strategic projects. Application must be made prior to the entry of the prospective employee into Tanzania.

General Requirements for Residence Permit Class “B” (FG, SG, RT, RG1, RG2 & RPL)

• Dully filled online application
• Application letter
• Work Permit issued by Labor Commissioner (Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar)
• A Copy of National Passport (With validity of not less than six month)
• Covering letter from the employer
• Passport size photograph
• One full size photograph
• Curriculum Vitae of the employee
• Certified copies of the Academic Certificates
• Job description for the expatriate/employee
• Employment Contract
• Previous Original Class B permit (in case of renewal or replacement)
• Organization structure of the company
• Registration of certificates from professional boards where necessary e.g. NBAA, ERB, PSPTB, Nurses and Midwifery council, medical council etc. or qualifications that require registration with authorized Institutions and Certificate, Clearance or Licenses be issued. These include: Accountants, engineers, Architects, Surveyors, Doctors, Teachers, Nurses, Pilots, Employees in Security Companies, Executive Personnel in Financial Institutions such Banks, Bureau de Change, etc.
• Business License
• Memorandum and Articles of Association or Extract from Registrar showing Company shareholders, share distribution and nominal capital of the company
• Certificate of incorporation or Certificate compliance or Business Name Registration or Certificate of change of name
• Letter of no objection (if the application has shifted from another company)
• Tax Clearance
• Tax Payers’ Identification Number (TIN) Certificate

Do You Need of a Residence Permit?

Whether you have started the process of getting your residence permit in Tanzania and are stuck, or you have not yet started, our team can help you get it done. Give us a call today or visit our offices for more information regarding how to get your residence permit.