Logo
e-Immigration Portal

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 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.

  • Applicants are institutions/companies/employers registered in Tanzania except for retired persons, sick persons and those attending cases at the court.
  • Applications for Residence Permits Class 'B' and 'C' should obtain their Residence Permit prior to coming into the country, except for Residence Permit Class "A".
  • Applicants should obtain relevant Registration Certificate or license from relevant professional boards as the case may be.
  • All applicants of Residence Permits should first obtain Work Permit from the Ministry of Labor, except those coming for such purposes like Studies, Research, attending court case and retired persons.

The procedure for application of Residence Permit Online is as follows:-

  • Visit the direct link: https://eservices.immigration.go.tz/online/permit or visit our website www.immigration.go.tz
  • Then Go to e-services and select Online Residence Permit Application.
  • The applicant is advised first to READ the Residence Permit Guidelines.
  • Then, applicant MUST first create an account. The applicant should click where it is written create account and he/she will be able to fill the e-mail, mobile number, telephone number, postal address and password.
  • When the account is created the applicant can proceed with filling the form, attach all the required documents (ALL DOCUMENTS SHOULD BE CERTIFIED) and finally submit the application.
  • Once an application has been approved for payment, applicant will be notified, and he/she will be required to pay the prescribed fee within sixty (60) days. After expiry of 60 days, if no payment has been done the application will be deleted automatically.
  • After payment the applicant will receive a Residence Permit Enrolment Notification, which requires the applicant to report to the nearest Immigration Office for fingerprints and photo capture (enrollment process).
  • Once the enrolment process is done the applicant will wait for his/her Residence Permit processing and issuance within a week
  • The Permit may be collected at the Regional Immigration Office where the company is located or at the Immigration Headquarters, Immigration Head Office Zanzibar, TIC, EPZA or ZIPA as the case may be.

NB:
Where it happens the application has insufficient document/information the applicant will be notified ONLINE (through the Residence Permit System) to rectify the relevant query so that the application can proceed.

For applicants who are registered under Tanzania Investment Center(TIC) and have been issued with certificate of incentive may lodge their applications online (Class A and B) through the window of TIC. Whereas applicats who are registered under EPZA and being issued with EPZA license may submit their applications through EPZA window.

For the case of Zanzibar, applicants who are registered with the Zanzibar Investment Promotion Authority and have been issued with certificate of incentive may lodge their applications through the window of ZIPA.

All foreigners intending to reside in the United Republic of Tanzania for business, work, investment or any other acceptable purpose for a period of more than 90 days, are required to hold a residence permit from Tanzania Immigration Department. Basically, there are three types of residence permits, namely :-

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

The power to issue a residence permit is vested to the Commissioner General of Immigration Service. Applicants who are not satisfied by the Commissioner’s decisions may appeal to the Minister of Home Affairs while they are outside the country. Application for residence permits should also be submitted while the applicant is outside the country.

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 are as follows:

  1. First Grant (FG) - For first application.
  2. Returnee (RT) - For applicant who is re-joining his previous institution/ company after long time absence.
  3. 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
  4. Replacement (RPL) - For applicant renewing his application after expiration.
  5. Re-Grant 1(RG1) - applicant changing from one institution to another in the same residence class. from Class A to Class A.
  6. Re-Grant 2(RG2) - applicant changing from one institution to another into different residence class. e.g. from Class B to 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’

  1. Dully filled online application
  2. Application letter
  3. Work Permit issued by Labour Commissioner (Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar)
  4. A Copy of National Passport (With validity of not less than six months)
  5. Passport size photograph,
  6. One full size photograph,
  7. Registration Certificates from Relevant Authorities (in case the Business requires Authorization from specific Regulatory Authority),
  8. 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),
  9. 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),
  10. Memorandum and Articles of Association or Extract from Registrar showing Company shareholders, share distribution and nominal capital of the company
  11. Certificate of incorporation or Certificate compliance or Business Name Registration or Certificate of change of name
  12. Valid Business license,
  13. Certificate of registration for Tax payers (TIN),
  14. Valid tax clearance certificate,
  15. Tax payment slips,
  16. Lease agreement or Certificate of Occupancy,
  17. List which shows company assets,
  18. Physical Verification Visit Report (PVV) where necessary*
  19. Company Current Bank Statement where necessary

RESIDENCE PERMIT CLASS “A” MATRIX

PERMIT CODE SECTOR/ OCCUPATION ACTIVITY/ELIGIBILITY FEE IN USD EAC CITIZENS FEE DIASPORA FEE
A-1 Professional Artist Investor Shareholder and Director of a company/institutionregistered by relevant authority who is intending to invest in artisanship/professional Artist. The company minimum investment capital should not be below the minimum capital stipulated in the Investment Act or any other written laws. 1,000 500 -
A-2 Diaspora Investors Shareholder and Director of a company/institution whose nationality of origin was Tanzania and subsequently renounced and acquired another nationality. The company minimum investment capital should not be below the minimum capital stipulated in the Investment Act or any other written laws. - - 1,000
A-3 Other sector/Industry Investors Shareholder and Director of a company/institution who is intending to invest in any other sector/Industry. The company minimum investment capital should not be below the minimum capital stipulated in the Investment Act or any other written laws. 3,000 1,500 -
A-4 Refugee Investors Shareholder and Director of a company/institution who has a refugee status 1,500 1,500 -

OBS - In case of investors and Entrepreneurs who engage in more than one sector, officials will be able to determine amount of capital and category of fee the applicant ought to pay

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)

  1. Dully filled online application,
  2. Application Letter
  3. Work Permit issued by Labour Commissioner (Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar),
  4. A Copy of National Passport (With validity of not less than six month),
  5. Covering letter from the employer,
  6. Passport size photograph,
  7. One full size photograph
  8. Curriculum Vitae of the employee,
  9. Certified copies of the Academic Certificates,
  10. Official translation of documents/certificates in case they are written in languages other than English or Swahili,
  11. Job description for the expatriate/employee,
  12. Employment Contract
  13. Previous Original Class B permit (in case of renewal or replacement),
  14. Organization structure of the company
  15. 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.
  16. Business License
  17. Memorandum and Articles of Association or Extract from Registrar showing Company shareholders, share distribution and nominal capital of the company
  18. Certificate of incorporation or Certificate compliance or Business Name Registration or Certificate of change of name
  19. Letter of no objection (if the application has shifted from another company)
  20. Tax Clearance
  21. Tax Payers’ Identification Number (TIN) Certificate

RESIDENCE PERMIT CLASS “B” MATRIX

PERMIT CODE SECTOR/OCCUPATION ELIGIBILITY FEE IN USD EAC CITIZENS FEE DIASPORA FEE
B-1 Specific employment by specific employer Person who have been offered specific employment by specific employer and have the required qualifications and experience 2,000 500 -
B-2 Specific employment by specific employer (Diaspora) A person who is a Diaspora and has been offered specific employment by specific employer and has the required qualifications and experience - - 500
B-3 Specific employment by specific employer (Short Term Residence Permit) Persons who have been offered specific employment by specific employer for the period of not more than 6 months and have the required qualifications and experience 500 250 250
B-4 Specific employment by specific employer(Refugees) Persons who have been offered specific employment by specific employer who have a refugee status. 500 500 500

Residence Permit Class ‘C’ is issued to a foreigner who are not eligible to obtain either Class “A” or “B” permits. These includes; researchers, retired persons, missionaries, former employees winding up affairs, individuals attending medical treatment, volunteers, intern, parties and witness in court of laws and tribunals e.tc. Application must be made prior to the entry of the prospective applicant into Tanzania except Retired persons and those winding up affairs.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR CLASS “C” PERMIT (FG, SG, RT, RG1, RG2 & RPL)

  1. Dully filled online application,
  2. Covering letter from institution, school or mission
  3. Work Permit issued by Labour Commissioner (Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar), or Exemption letter from Relevant authority (For Missionaries, Volunteer and NGO employees)
  4. A Copy of National Passport (With validity of not less than six months),
  5. Passport size photograph
  6. One Full size photograph
  7. Registration Certificates from Relevant Authorities (in case the activity requires Authorization from specific Regulatory Authority),
  8. Curriculum Vitae of the applicant,
  9. Job description
  10. Certified copies of Academic certificate,
  11. Official translation of documents or certificates in case they are written in languages other than English or Swahili,
  12. Certificate of registration of institution, school or mission,
  13. Pages of Constitution of an organization showing signatories, objective and members of organization;
  14. Previous Original Class C permit (in case of renewal or replacement),
  15. Letter of No Objection for holders of resident permits shifting to new Institution.

SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS (Class ‘C’)

Specific documents for Intern Student
  1. Letter of Approval from host institution
  2. Evidence of sponsorship/scholarship
  3. Letter of approval from ministry of education and vocational training for intern students(internship)
  4. Physical Verification Visit Report (PVV) where necessary
Specific documents for VOLUNTEERS
  1. Volunteer contract
  2. Job description
  3. Evidence of activities of NGO from relevant government institution i.e. social welfare
  4. A copy of constitution of an organization
  5. Physical Verification Visit Report (PVV) where necessary
Specific documents for MISSIONERIES
  1. Job description
  2. Registration certificates from various board i.e. ERB, teaching license, medical practitioner, NBAA depending with job title (what He/ She will specifically do)
  3. Ordination certificate for missionary priest.
  4. Volunteer contract for missionary volunteer
  5. Teaching license for teachers
  6. Registration with medical board for doctors
  7. Registration with nurse midwives for nurse
  8. Registration with NBAA for Accountants (be registered with relevant board)
  9. Physical Verification Visit Report (PVV) where necessary
Specific documents for RETIRED PERSONS
  1. Evidence of retirements beneficts
  2. Surrendering of previous RP
  3. Letter of retirement
  4. Evidence of place of occupancy
Specific documents for sick persons
  1. Evidence of sickness from government medical hospital (OFFICER)
  2. Evidence of status of his /her host i.e. local/foreigner
Specific documents for those attending cases before the court
  1. Evidence of trial before the court
  2. Copy of passport
  3. Application forms
Specific documents for researchers
  1. Research permit from COSTECH
  2. CV
  3. Academic certificates
  4. Letter of introduction from the relevant university/college/institute

RESIDENCE PERMIT CLASS “C” MATRIX

PERMIT CODE SECTOR/ OCCUPATION ELIGIBILITY FEE IN USD EAC CITIZENS FEE DIASPORA FEE
C-1 Researchers Persons who have been approved by a competent authority to conduct Research in the country 500 250 250
C-2 Retired persons Persons who retired in Tanzania or outside Tanzania and have an assured income to sustain them and their dependents. Their age must be from 55 and above. 500 250 250
C-3 Aproved religious activities (missionaries) Person engaged in religious activities aproved by Government 200 100 100
C-4 Winding up affairs Employees previously held residence permits class B requiring to wind up affairs immediately after termination of their employment contracts 200 100 100
C-5 Volunteers Person engaged in non-remunerated activities on volunteer basis. 200 100 100
C-6 Medical Treatment Persons attending medical treatment at recognized hospitals or medical institutions 200 100 100
C-7 NGO'S Employees Persons employed in NGOs with Charitable Certificate 500 250 250
C-8 Parties and Witnesses in Courts and Tribunals Persons attending Courts and Tribunals as parties and witnesses to various cases 500 250 250
C-9 Interns A person engaged in non-remunerated activities as an Intern 200 100 100
C-10 Professional Artists A person employed as a Professional Artist 500 250 250
C-11 Buyer of a real estate Persons who buy houses in real estate business but are not entitled to available categories of permits to stay in the United Republic. 500 250 250
C-12 Refugees A person who qualifies for any category of Residence Permit Class C but has a refugee status. - - -
C-13 Others Any other person whose qualification is not stated under Class C category but is eligible to a residence permit 500 250 250

CLASS A -First Grant (FG)
ATTACHMENTS REQUIRED
  1. Memorandum and Articles of Association or Extract from Registrar
  2. Memorandum page shows Company share holders
  3. Memorandum page shows Name of the Capital
  4. Certificate of incorporation or Certificate compliance or Business Name Registration.
  5. Valid Business license.
  6. Certificate of registration for Tax payers (TIN)
  7. Valid tax clearance certificate / tax exemption certificate
  8. Tax payment slips/ Tax payment exemption
  9. Lease agreement or Certificate of Occupancy.
  10. List which shows company assets
  11. Application letter
Sector Attachment
Refer to Sectoral Specific Requirements
Optional Class A First Grant (Not required for new companies)
  1. *Power of attorney for persons given power of attorney as Directors
  2. Board Resolution
  3. Document of Appointment of Directorship
  4. Evidence of Share/ Stock Transfer
  5. Current Directors and Share Holders of a New company from BRELA/BPRA
  6. Evidence of amount capital added to a company by applicant
  7. Company Current Bank Statement.
APPLICANT OF CLASS 'A' JOINING EXISTING COMPANY (RPA- First Grant – FG)
PERMIT CODE SECTOR/ OCCUPATION ACTIVITY SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS CAPITAL IN USD
(⅟2 FOR EAC)
FEE IN USD EAC CITIZENS FEE
A1 - A23 Any sector above Any of the above
  1. Power of attorney for a person given power of attorney as Directors
  2. Board Resolution
  3. Document of Appointment of Directorship
  4. Evidence of Share/ Stock Transfer
  5. Current Directors and Share Holders of a New company from BRELA/BPRA
  6. Evidence of amount capital added to a company by applicant
  7. Company Current Bank Statement
100,000 According to sector above According to sector above
CLASS A -Second Grant (SG)
ATTACHMEMENTS REQUIRED
  1. Memorandum and Articles of Association or Extract from Registrar
  2. Memorandum page shows Company share holders
  3. Memorandum page shows Name of the Capital
  4. Certificate of incorporation or Certificate compliance or Business Name Registration.
  5. Valid Business license.
  6. Certificate of registration for Tax payers (TIN)
  7. Valid tax clearance certificate
  8. Tax payment slips
  9. Lease agreement or Certificate of Occupancy.
  10. List which shows company assets
  11. Application letter

Sector Attachment
Refer to Sectoral Specific Requirements
Specific Requirements for Class A Second Grant (Refer to Residence Matrix)
  1. Board Resolution
  2. Document of Appointment of Directorship
  3. Evidence of Share/ Stock Transfer
  4. Current Directors and Share Holders of a New company from BRELA/BPRA
  5. Evidence of amount capital added to a company by applicant
  6. Company Current Bank Statement
APPLICANT CHANGING FROM CLASS B TO CLASS A, SAME COMPANY (SG- Second Grant)
PERMIT CODE SECTOR/ OCCUPATION ACTIVITY SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS CAPITAL IN USD
(⅟2 FOR EAC)
FEE IN USD EAC CITIZENS FEE
A1 - A23 Any sector above Any of the above
  1. Board Resolution
  2. Document of Appointment of Directorship
  3. Evidence of Share/ Stock Transfer
  4. Current Directors and Share Holders of a New company from BRELA/BPRA
  5. Evidence of amount capital added to a company by applicant
  6. Company Current Bank Statement
100,000 According to sector above According to sector above
CLASS A –Re-Grant 2 (RG2)
ATTACHMEMENTS REQUIRED
  1. Memorandum and Articles of Association or Extract from Registrar
  2. Memorandum page shows Company share holders
  3. Memorandum page shows Name of the Capital
  4. Certificate of incorporation or Certificate compliance or Business Name Registration.
  5. Valid Business license.
  6. Certificate of registration for Tax payers (TIN)
  7. Valid tax clearance certificate
  8. Tax payment slips
  9. Lease agreement or Certificate of Occupancy.
  10. List which shows company assets
  11. Application letter
  12. Letter of No Objection from former company
Sector Attachment
Refer to Sectoral Specific Requirements
Specific Requirements for Class A Re-Grant2 (Refer to Residence Matrix)
  1. Board Resolution
  2. Document of Appointment of Directorship
  3. Evidence of Share/ Stock Transfer
  4. Current Directors and Share Holders of a New company from BRELA/BPRA
  5. Evidence of amount capital added to a company by applicant
  6. Company Current Bank Statement
APPLICANT CHANGING FROM CLASS B TO CLASS A IN DIFFENT COMPANY- RG2 (Re- Grant2)
PERMIT CODE SECTOR/ OCCUPATION ACTIVITY SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS CAPITAL IN USD
(⅟2 FOR EAC)
FEE IN USD EAC CITIZENS FEE
A1 - A23 Any sector Any of the above
  1. Board Resolution
  2. Document of Appointment of Directorship
  3. Evidence of Share/ Stock Transfer
  4. Current Directors and Share Holders of a New company from BRELA/BPRA
  5. Evidence of amount capital added to a company by applicant
  6. Company Current Bank Statement.
  7. Letter of No- Objection from previous employer
100,000 According to sector above According to sector above
CLASS A –Re-Grant 1 (RG1)
ATTACHMEMENTS REQUIRED
  1. Memorandum and Articles of Association or Extract from Registrar
  2. Memorandum page shows Company share holders
  3. Memorandum page shows Name of the Capital
  4. Certificate of incorporation or Certificate compliance or Business Name Registration.
  5. Valid Business license.
  6. Certificate of registration for Tax payers (TIN)
  7. Valid tax clearance certificate
  8. Tax payment slips
  9. Lease agreement or Certificate of Occupancy.
  10. List which shows company assets
  11. Application letter
  12. Letter of No Objection from former company
Sector Attachment
Refer to Sectoral Specific Requirements
Specific Requirements for Class A Re-Grant1 (Refer to Residence Matrix)
  1. Board Resolution
  2. Document of Appointment of Directorship
  3. Evidence of Share/ Stock Transfer
  4. Current Directors and Share Holders of a New company from BRELA/BPRA
  5. Evidence of amount capital added to a company by applicant
  6. Company Current Bank Statement
APPLICANT CHANGING FROM CLASS A TO CLASS A IN DIFFENT COMPANY- RG1 (Re- Grant1)
PERMIT CODE SECTOR/ OCCUPATION ACTIVITY SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS CAPITAL IN USD
(⅟2 FOR EAC)
FEE IN USD EAC CITIZENS FEE
A1 - A23 Any sector Any of the above
  1. Board Resolution
  2. Document of Appointment of Directorship
  3. Evidence of Share/ Stock Transfer
  4. Current Directors and Share Holders of a New company from BRELA/BPRA
  5. Evidence of amount capital added to a company by applicant
  6. Company Current Bank Statement.
  7. Letter of No- Objection from previous employer
100,000 According to sector above According to sector above
CLASS A -Returnee (RT)
ATTACHMEMENTS REQUIRED
  1. Memorandum and Articles of Association or Extract from Registrar
  2. Memorandum page shows Company share holders
  3. Memorandum page shows Name of the Capital
  4. Certificate of incorporation or Certificate compliance or Business Name Registration.
  5. Valid Business license.
  6. Certificate of registration for Tax payers (TIN)
  7. Valid tax clearance certificate
  8. Tax payment slips
  9. Lease agreement or Certificate of Occupancy.
  10. List which shows company assets
  11. Application letter
Sector Attachment
Refer to Sectoral Specific Requirements
Specific Requirements for Class A Returnee (Refer to Residence Matrix)
  1. Current Directors and Share Holders of a New company from BRELA/BPRA
  2. Company Current Bank Statement.
CLASS A -Replacement (RPL)
ATTACHMEMENTS REQUIRED
  1. Memorandum and Articles of Association or Extract from Registrar
  2. Memorandum page shows Company share holders
  3. Memorandum page shows Name of the Capital
  4. Certificate of incorporation or Certificate compliance or Business Name Registration.
  5. Valid Business license.
  6. Certificate of registration for Tax payers (TIN)
  7. Valid tax clearance certificate
  8. Tax payment slips
  9. Lease agreement or Certificate of Occupancy.
  10. List which shows company assets
  11. Company Current Bank Statement
  12. Application letter
Sector Attachment
Refer to Sectoral Specific Requirements
Specific Requirements for Class A RPL (Refer to Residence Matrix)
  1. Current Directors and Share Holders status from BRELA/BPRA.
SPECIFIC REQUIREMENT ACCORDING TO SECTOR (Class ‘A’)
SECTOR REGISTRATION BODY REQUIREMENT
Company investing in Food TFDA TFDA Certificate
Drug sector PHARMACY COUNCIL PHARMACY COUNCIL
Company Investing in Construction CRB CRB Certificate
Company Investing in Engineering Consultancy ERB ERB Certificate
Company Investing in Insurance TIRA Tanzania Insurance Regulatory Activity (TIRA)
Company Investing in Financial Activities BOT Clearance from BOT
Tour Operators Ministry of Tourism Tour Operator License from Ministry of Tourism
AGRICULTURE&LIVESTOCK EXPORT LICENCE EXPORT LICENCE
Education Ministry of Education Registration from Ministry of Education
Health Ministry of Health Registration from Ministry of Health
Airport Ground Handing Services  TCAA Registration from TCAA
Air Service Operators TCAA License from TCAA
Radio, TV and telecom companies TCRA Registration from TCRA
Timber/Logs Exporters Ministry of Resource and Tourism Registration from Ministry of Resource and Tourism
Mining Mining Mining License
Quantity Surveyors   Architects and Quantity Surveyors Registration Board
CLASS B SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS ACCORDING TO
PROFFESSIONS
PROFFESSION DOCUMENT
Engineers ERB
Doctors CERTIFICATE FROM MEDICAL COUNCIL OF TANGANYIKA
Quantity Surveyors Architects and Quantity Surveyors Registration Board
Nurses NURSES AND MIDWIFERY COUNCIL
Accountants NBAA Certificate
Lawyers CLEARANCE FROM HIGH COURT OF TANZANIA & TLS
Hunters Hunting/ Trophy License
Insurers No Objection from Tanzania Insurance Regulatory Authority (TIRA)
Intern A letter from Ministry of Education
BANKS BOT CLEARANCE
Lecturers (Dr and Professors CLEARANCE FROM TCU
Teachers Teaching License

 

PILOT PILOT LICENCE from TCAA

For more information contact the following:

Version 2024.3

Support Email: permittanzania@immigration.go.tz