UPDATES ON RESIDENCE PERMIT APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS IN TANZANIA
- The Additional requirements for Residence permits Class A and B
- Uncodified requirements are largely practical on the ground and not
1.0 Introduction:
Recently, the office of the Commissioner-General, Ministry of Home Affairs Immigration Department, Tanzania, introduced some new developments regarding Class A and B residence permit applications.
The new developments are introduced following the taking over of the new government in Tanzania as well as the new management of the Immigration office. The new government measures and policiesare focused on a strong drive against corruption and tax evasion as well as immigration laws compliance in the private sectors i.e. specifically foreign investors.
This period of aggression and system overhaul by the new government measures have greatly influenced the changes in the immigration sector as far as foreign investors and their employment affairs are concerned. The changes, sporadic though not unreasonable, are introduced in both Residence Permit Class A, the permit for foreign investors in Tanzania and Residence Permit Class B, the permit for foreign employees.
2.0 The Additional requirements in Residence permit Class A and B
For all new and renewal applications for Residence permit Class A and B, there are three additional requirements which have been introduced;
- Current status of Shareholders from the Business Registration and Licensing Authority (BRELA)
- Tax Clearance Certificate, and;
- Tax Payment Slips
3.0 The Current Status of Shareholders from BRELA:
In all new and renewable applications for Residence Permit Class A and B it is a trite requirement that the applications should be accompanied with a letter from the Registrar of Companies at BRELA giving out the latest information regarding the shareholders of the Company which is a subject to those applications. The letter can be acquired by lodging an online official search for the required information in BRELA’s OBRS System. The online Search is subject to a fee of Tanzanian Shillings Twenty Two Thousand only. Once payment is made the applicant can submit the online search application. The Online Search feedback will be issued by the Registrar online. The feedback can be printed out and attached to the other documents in support of the residence permit application and submitted at the immigration offices together with the other required documents.
4.0 Tax Clearance Certificate
The latest Tax Clearance from the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) must accompany an application for Residence permit class A and B. The certificate is deemed to be a declaration by TRA that the Company does not owe any tax to the Authority. This requirement is only put to ensure that all corporations and businesses working in Tanzania are tax compliant and therefore the Immigration Department in this aspect acts as compliance officer/agent for TRA.
5.0 Tax Payment Slips
The certified copies of receipt(s) from TRA evidencing payment of corporate tax by the Company should accompany the application.
Important Notice:
This publication has been prepared for general guidance on matters of interest only, and 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.