TANZANIA INTRODUCES ONLINE APPLICATION FOR VISAS AND RESIDENCE PERMITS; NEW CATEGORIES OF RESIDENCE PERMITS AND ISSUANCE STATUS TO FEATURE ONLINE APPLICATIONS.
In Brief:
- Online services are now available on the Tanzania immigration website immigration.go.tz
- Introduction of new categories of resident permits class A, B and C
- Introduction of Issuance Statuses
- Prospective employees must apply from outside the country.
1.0 Introduction
On the 27th day of December, 2018, the Tanzania Immigration Department introduced online visa, residence permit and emergency travel document services. All foreign nationals who wish to reside in Tanzania are to be issued with an immigration status based on the purpose or type of business he or she wants to do in the country. Visa and Residence Permit applications can now be applied for and acquired via online services portal introduced by the Immigration Department. An applicant (or his agent) is required to fill in an online form, make payment, and uploading (submit) the application online with relevant supporting documents.
2.0 Application process prior to introduction of the Online Services.
Prior to commencement of the Online Application System, application process was done manually. This means that, all application at the Immigration Department involved manual population of the application forms, compilation of the required documents in support of the application and physical submission at the Immigration Department. In a nutshell, the previous application procedures entailed the following:
- Filling the prescribed forms and preparation of the required entity’s documents and application letters
- Physical submission of the application
- Waiting for approval of the application (Normally 14 days’ maximum)
- Payment of the required fees (Via Bank)
- Issuance of the permit/ Visa (Normally within 5 days after payment)
3.0 The Current Online Application System
3.1 Visa Application
The application is now made through the aforesaid Online Application System. Users can access the system wherever they are. The applicant (or his agent) is required to fill in an online form, make payment, and submit the application online with relevant supporting documents.
After submission the applicant will receive an email message containing User Identification Number. The User Identification Number provided will be used by the applicant to check the application status as to whether the application has been accepted or rejected. The following types of Visa can be applied through the current Online System;
- Business Visa
- Ordinary Visa
- Multiple Entry Visa
- Transit Visa
3.2 Residence Permits
The Online System provides a link upon which one can apply for a residence permit. The same way it applies to Online Visa applications, the applicant (or his agent) is required to fill in an online form, make payment, and submit the application online with relevant supporting documents.
Again, after submission the applicant will receive an email message containing User Identification Number. The User Identification Number provided will be used by the applicant to check the application status as to whether the application has been accepted or rejected.
3.2.1 Issuance Status
This is a new feature designed and introduced by Residence Permit Guidelines. This feature is intended to recognize and differentiate new applicants vis-a-vis existing holders of residence permits; and to create uniformity in decision making among Immigration Officers in Residence Permit Section. The residence issuance statuses are as follows in the table;
| S/N | Issuance Status | Its Implication in the Application |
| a. | First Grant (FG) | For first Application |
| b. | Returnee (RT) | For applicant who is re-joining his previous institution/ company after long time absence. |
| c. | Second Grant (SG) | For applicant who is changing from one category of residence to another e.g. from Class B to Class A in same institution/company |
| d. | Replacement (RPL) | For applicant who is renewing his application after expiration. |
| e. | Re-Grant 1(RG1) | For applicant who is changing from one institution to another in the same residence permit class. e.g. from Class A to Class A. |
| f. | Re-Grant 2(RG2) | For applicant who is changing from one institution to another into different residence class. e.g. from Class B to Class A |
3.2.2 Residence Permit Class A
The guidelines as per e-Immigration Portal states that 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 Residence Permit Guidelines provides for new Sub-categories with regards to residence permit class A. Sub-categories provided under class A specifies peculiar requirements (in addition to general requirements), capital investment, and fees to be paid for each category.
Capital requirement and fees for the permit is also categorically differentiated between citizens from East African Community and investors from other countries.
3.2.2.1 Categories of Residence Permit Class A
Residence permit class A is categorised from A1 to A23. Depending on the type of business activity the capital investment starts from USD 100,000 to USD 500,000. Only half of the capital investment amount for each of the categories is required for citizens from East African Community.
3.2.3 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 labour 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.
Residence permits class B are further categorised as B1, B2, B3 and B4. The categorization is based on sector/occupation, the activities or tasks intended to be performed; specific requirements in support of the application and fees to be pain for the application. The fees for class B ranges from USD 2050 for B1, B2 to USD 3050 for B3. Category B3 covers Specific employment by specific employer (Non-rare professions). Persons who have been offered specific employment by specific employer and have the required qualification and experience. These persons will be required to produce certificates from Professional Boards. (Like National Board of Accountants and Auditors and Medical Council of Tanzania) where required. Fees for citizens from East African partner states is USD 550 for all categories. Category B4 is for citizens from East African partner states only.
3.2.4 Residence Permit Class C
All foreigners who are not eligible to be issued with either class A or B are issued with residence permit class C. These include; 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.
Class C is categorised into eleven sub-categories from C1 to C11. The fees payable for the citizens other than those from East African member states range from USD 250 to USD 550 depending on specified sub-category. Fees for citizens from East Africa member states range from USD 150 to 300.
Conclusion:
The Immigration Department at Breakthrough Attorneys commends the immigration department for this efficient move. The introduction of online application system is a significant step towards embracing technological developments in the digital era. Breakthrough Attorneys urges all foreign nationals and/ or their agents to effectively utilize these online services.
As opposed to the previous system of Application, whereby hard copies were to be submitted at Immigration offices, in the new system all documents will be submitted online. This will facilitate the process of issuance of visa and residence permits, and reduce time for the applications to be done.
Important notice
This publication has been prepared for information only, and it does not constitute professional advice. You should not act upon the information contained in this publication without obtaining specific professional advice. No representation or warranty (express or implied) is given as to the accuracy or completeness of the information contained in this publication, and, to the extent permitted by law, Breakthrough Attorneys, its members, employees and agents do not accept or assume any liability, responsibility or duty of care for any consequences of you or anyone else acting, or refraining to act, in reliance on the information contained in this publication or for any decision based on it.