
What is Residence Permit?
Residence Permit is issued to a non-citizen, who intends to live and stay in Tanzania or Zanzibar, the permit is issued by the Government of Tanzania, under the Immigration Department.
Any non-citizen intending to reside in Tanzania or Zanzibar for investment, business, employment or any other legal activity is eligible to secure the Permit.
Who Qualify for the Permit?
As indicated above, the residence permit is issued only to foreigner who are intending to reside in Tanzania or Zanzibar. Hence, the following are eligible for the Permit in Tanzania or Zanzibar.
- Any non-citizen who has secured employment, invest, or establish a business in Tanzania or Zanzibar, and has been issued with a “Work Permit” by the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
- Any foreigner who is above the age of 60 years, have retired from his work and have enough fund to sustain life in Tanzania or Zanzibar.
- Any foreign Investor who purchases a landed property worth of US$ 100,000 and above from the approved Projects in Tanzania or Zanzibar.
What are the categories of Residence permit?
1. Residence permit Class A
Under this class, the Permit is granted to a foreigner who intends to reside in Tanzania or Zanzibar and engage in trade, Business, Profession, and Agriculture, Animal husbandry, prospecting of Minerals or manufacturing. Generally speaking, the permit is issued to a foreigner who investor or self-employed and has secured a work permit from Ministry of Labour and Employment.
2. Residence permit Class B
Under this Class the permit is issued to a foreigner who has obtained specified employment in Tanzania or Zanzibar and has been granted with a Work Permit from the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
3. Residence Permit Class C
Under this Class the permit is issued to the following categories of persons: Students; Researchers; Volunteers; Persons attending cases in Courts of Law; Persons who have formerly been residents and are about to leave the country (i.e. winding up affairs) and; Persons attending medical treatment in hospitals, and Buyers of Real Estate in approved Projects.
Who Can Apply for the Permit?
Though any non-citizen with legal activity and intention to reside in Tanzania or Zanzibar is eligible for resident permit, them personally cannot apply for the permit, except they are retired person and aged 60 years and above and the buyers of Real Estate form approved projects.
As such, only the Domestic incorporated companies and Foreign companies with certificate of compliance and permanent place of business in Tanzania or Zanzibar, are allowed applicants for residence permits. Hence, the company will apply for the permit on behalf of its Directors and Employees, and once issued the permit remains to be property of the company.
What are the Requirement for Residence Permit Application?
Each Residence Permit Category has its special requirements, which is different from the other. However, there are general requirements which applies for all the permit categories as follows:
- Application forms (T.I.F.1) in duplicate duly filled.
- Valid Work Permit.
- Curriculum Vitae (CV).
- A copy of valid Passport (with validity of not less six months).
- Covering letter
- Certified copies of Academic Certificates.
- Evidence of capital of the company. This includes:-Bank Statement; Balance Sheet; A list of the company’s assets with their value; Proof of ownership of assets/properties
- Evidence of the Premises of the company. This may include:-
- Lease Agreement – (if it is a leased premise) or Title deed (if it is a company’s property).
- Certificate of Incorporation, Compliance or Registration of the Company/Business as the case may be.
- Memorandum and Articles of Association;
- Value Added Tax (VAT) Certificate (for VAT registered Companies)
- Tax Payer’s Identity Number (T.I.N.) Certificate;
- Tax Clearance Certificate;
- Business License
- Certificate of Incentive (in case the Business or project is registered with the Tanzania Investment Centre – T.I.C., Export License from Export Processing Zone, or Zanzibar Investment Promotion Authority – ZIPA for Zanzibar);
- Current Search Report of the company (where the applicant is a shareholder in a registered company);
- One Passport Size photograph.
How and When to apply for Residence permit?
The Residence Permit is applied and filed at the Immigration Department Headquarter of Tanzania or Zanzibar, through its online application system (e-service). The application for this permit can be made only after the company has already setup its business in Tanzania and when the applicant has secured the Work Permit, as this is the mandatory document to be attached with the application, except for the retired persons.
Is the Permit Permanent?
If successfully granted, the Residence Permit is valid for two years only, and subject to renewal after every such period. As explained above, with the exception of retired persons, without Work Permit one cannot get Resident Permit, as such the date which the resident permit start to run is the same date as that of work permit was granted and they both expire after two years. Further, the renewal of resident permit depend on securing the renewal of Work Permit.
Further Information:
At Eden Law Chambers, we assist Clients to secure Work Permit and Residence Permit, by making sure that all the required procedures are adhered, preparing required documents and submitting the applications to the relevant authorities. You may contact us through our below email Address;
Email; info@edenlawchambers.co.tz
Disclaimer
This article cannot and does not contain legal advice. The legal information is provided for general information and education purposes only, and is not a substitute for legal advice. Accordingly, before taking any actions based upon the provided information, we encourage you to consult Eden Law chambers or any licensed attorney for further legal advice.