Immigration law in Tanzania

The Immigration Act, Cap. 54 applies to the United Republic of Tanzania, including Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar, but Zanzibar may have separate immigration offices and additional entry or departure rules. The Immigration Services Department and Commissioner General handle national immigration matters; the Commissioner of Immigration Zanzibar also has responsibilities in Zanzibar. The Ministry of Home Affairs and the Labour Commissioner are involved in specific procedures. A traveller normally needs a passport valid for at least six months, an unused visa page and a visa, Residence Permit or appropriate pass. Visitors are usually expected to hold an onward or return ticket. Tanzania offers an online eVisa system for Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar. A Visa Grant Notice confirms an application outcome but does not bind the Immigration Officer at the border, who makes the entry decision. Referral Visa cases require online processing and approval by the Commissioner General; applicants should generally allow at least two months. An ordinary single-entry visa costs USD 50 and permits a stay of up to 90 days. A multiple-entry visa costs USD 100, is valid for up to 12 months, and normally limits each stay to 90 days. A business visa costs USD 250 for up to 90 days and does not replace a Residence Permit. A transit visa costs USD 30 for up to seven days and normally requires evidence of onward travel. Student visa fees depend on the duration and portal category, with listed amounts including USD 50 for up to 90 days and USD 250 for longer study periods. Some diplomatic, official and international-organisation documents qualify for free visas. Citizens of EAC member states and other officially listed countries may enter without a visa under the applicable rules. An EAC Visitor Pass can allow up to six months, while the ordinary Visitor Pass generally allows up to 90 days. Visa-free entry does not create a right to work, trade, practise a profession or settle. The EAC Common Market can provide mobility, work and residence rights through national procedures, subject to restrictions linked to public policy, security or health. A person who intends to remain in Tanzania for more than 90 days for work, business, investment or another lawful purpose generally needs a Residence Permit. Class A covers investors and self-employed applicants. Class B covers employment with a specific employer and requires a work permit, relevant qualifications or experience and evidence of the benefit to Tanzania. A Class B holder may work only for the employer and activity named in the permit; changing employer or ending the employment normally makes the permit invalid, and the employer must generally report the end of employment within 30 days. Class C covers other categories, including researchers, retired people, missionaries, volunteers, medical visitors, NGO workers, interns, artists, real-estate buyers and people appearing before a court. Researchers may need a COSTECH permit, curriculum vitae, qualifications and a letter from a university or institution. Volunteers and NGO workers may need a work permit or exemption letter. Residence Permits can generally be issued for up to three years and renewed for up to two years, with a usual total limit of five years. The Commissioner General has discretion in individual cases. Tanzania does not currently operate a general permanent-residence title within the official three-class system. After at least ten years of residence and a substantial economic or social contribution, a person may be considered for continued Class A residence, but this remains discretionary. Entry Passes, Student Passes, Dependant Passes, Special Passes, Exemption Certificates and Re-entry Passes serve different purposes. A Dependant Pass can cover a spouse, child or close relative when the relationship and the main holder's status are documented; it does not automatically authorise employment. Refugee protection is governed by the Refugees Act 1998. The Director of Refugees Services, the National Eligibility Committee and regional or district structures handle asylum-related procedures. An asylum seeker must register and obtain permission to remain while the claim is decided. A rejected claim must receive written notice, and a written appeal or review generally suspends removal until the process ends. Tanzania applies non-refoulement where return would expose a person to political persecution or physical attack. Refugees may need a Refugee Work Permit, and movement outside designated areas can require permission; staying outside a designated area is generally limited to 14 days without a longer authorisation. Family reunification applications go to the Minister through UNHCR or the Director, while resettlement and voluntary repatriation are separate outcomes. Citizenship may arise by birth or descent. A non-citizen without such a claim may apply for naturalisation after living in Tanzania for at least 12 months immediately before the application and for at least seven aggregate years during the preceding ten years. The process also considers Kiswahili or English ability, good character, contribution to the country and the intention to maintain permanent residence. Applications move through local and immigration structures, including the Ward Executive Secretary or Sheha in Zanzibar, district immigration authorities, security committees, the Principal Commissioner and the Minister. Published fee information is inconsistent: one official page lists USD 1,500 as non-refundable, while Form A lists TSh 150,000 on submission and TSh 450,000 as a balance. The current amount should be confirmed before filing. Naturalisation may require renunciation of another nationality, and adult dual citizenship is not generally assured. Immigration authorities may refuse entry, detain or remove a person, including where the person is considered destitute, has certain mental-health or criminal concerns, is linked to terrorism or trafficking, is subject to a deportation order or is otherwise prohibited. Visa refusal reasons may not always be disclosed, and a Visa Grant Notice cannot override a refusal at the border. Residence Permit refusals or variations can be appealed to the Minister under the Immigration Act, whose decision is final under that procedure. Fraud, false statements, unlawful stay or unauthorised work can lead to refusal, permit cancellation, criminal penalties or removal. A permit or pass offence can carry at least TSh 500,000 or up to three years' imprisonment; returning during a deportation order can carry at least TSh 1,000,000 or up to five years' imprisonment. Refugee decisions have a separate appeal or review period that is generally seven days. Visa processing should normally begin at least ten days before travel, but no reliable general service time is published for Residence Permits. Fees, categories and portal instructions can change or conflict, so the relevant Immigration authority should confirm them before payment or travel.