All foreigners intending to reside in the United Republic of Tanzania for business, employment, investment or any other eligible purpose for a period exceeding 90 days must have a residence permit issued by the Tanzania Immigration Department. Basically, there are three types of residence permits, namely:

• Class A: For self-employed foreigners (investors)
• Class B: For foreigners working in companies/private institutions.
• Class C: For other categories of foreigners such as researchers, pensioners, missionaries, volunteers, etc.

The right to issue a residence permit belongs to the Commissioner General of the Immigration Service. Applicants dissatisfied with the Commissioner's decision may appeal to the Home Secretary while outside the country. The application for a residence permit must also be submitted while the applicant is outside the country.

CLASS "A" RESIDENCE CERTIFICATE

It may be granted to a person who intends to enter or remain in Tanzania and engage in independent investment in the fields of exploration and mining, agriculture and livestock, professions and consultancy services, professional arts, manufacturing and processing, large-scale investment and trade, hospitality business and related activities, information technology and IT activities, transport. The applicant can submit an electronic application to the Immigration Headquarters, Zanzibar Headquarters, Tanzania Investment Center (TIC), Export Processing Zone Authority (EPZA), and Zanzibar Investment Promotion Authority (ZIP).

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR OBTAINING A CLASS "A" RESIDENCE PERMIT:

https://eservices.immigration.go.tz/online/permit/guidelines 

CLASS "B" RESIDENCE CERTIFICATE

A Class "B" Residence Permit is issued to a foreigner who possesses qualifications or skills, mostly in highly technical occupations, that may not be readily available in the local labor market. This applies to foreigners of rare professions who have specific employment with a specific employer, as well as specialists who work in public and private strategic projects. The application must be submitted before the potential employee enters Tanzania.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR CLASS “B” RESIDENCE PERMIT

https://eservices.immigration.go.tz/online/permit/guidelines 

CLASS "C" RESIDENCE CERTIFICATE

Class "C" residence permit is issued to foreigners who do not have the right to receive class "A" or "B" permits. These include: researchers, retirees, missionaries, ex-employees, terminal cases, people undergoing treatment, volunteers, interns, parties and witnesses in courts and tribunals, etc. The application must be submitted before the potential applicant enters Tanzania, with the exception of retirees and liquidators.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR OBTAINING A CLASS "C" PERMIT

https://eservices.immigration.go.tz/online/permit/guidelines 

SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS (CLASS "C")

Special documents for a student-intern

1. Letter of approval from the receiving educational institution
2. Confirmation of sponsorship/scholarship
3. Letter of approval from the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training for student interns (internships)
4. Physical Verification Report (PVV) if required

Special documents for volunteers

1. Volunteer contract
2. Job description
3. Confirmation of the activity of the NGO from the relevant state institution, for example, social security
4. A copy of the organization's charter
5. Physical Verification Report (PVV) if applicable

Special documents for MISSIONARIES

1. Job description
2. Registration certificates from various authorities eg ERB, teaching license, medical practice, NBAA, depending on the job title 
3. Ordination certificate for a missionary priest
4. Volunteer contract for a volunteer missionary
5. Teaching license for teachers
6. Registration in the medical commission for doctors
7. Registration in the midwifery service for nurses
8. NBAA Registration for accountants (must be registered with the relevant board)
9. Physical Verification Report (PVV) as required

Special documents for researchers

1. Research permit from COSTECH
2. AUTOBIOGRAPHY
3. Academic certificates
4. Letter of recommendation from the relevant university/college/institute

Within the broad classification of residence permits, there are various sub-categories described in the Residence Permit Matrix, so you can download the Residence Permit Guide.

Any person who is not a Tanzanian citizen by birth or descent may apply for Tanzanian citizenship by naturalization to the Minister responsible for citizenship.

CONDITIONS FOR OBTAINING CITIZENSHIP THROUGH NATURALIZATION

The qualification requirements for a foreigner applying for Tanzanian citizenship are:

• that he/she resided in the United Republic during the twelve months immediately preceding the date of application,
• that during the ten years immediately preceding the said period of twelve months he/she had resided in the United Republic for periods totaling not less than seven years,
• that he/she has a sufficient command of Swahili or English,
• that he/she has a good character
• that from the point of view of his past and potential contribution to the national economy or scientific and technological progress, as well as to the national social and cultural welfare, he/she would be a suitable citizen of the United Republic,
• that if naturalized he/she intends to reside permanently in the United Republic.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

Applying for Tanzanian citizenship follows the following procedures:

1. The applicant fills out the established forms.
2. The applicant applies to the Executive Secretary of the Chamber or Shehia (in the case of Zanzibar) at the applicant's place of residence.
3. The Executive Secretary of the Chamber or Shehia submits the application to the District Immigration Office and the applicant pays a non-refundable application fee of US$1,500.
4. The applicant shall publish in two consecutive editions of daily newspapers registered in Tanzania on the mainland and in Zanzibar, a notice of intention to apply for naturalization.
5. The applicant must pass an interview with the district defense and security committee.
6. The district officer of the immigration service forwards the application to the regional officer of the immigration service, who forwards the said application to the regional defense and security committee for further consideration.
7. The regional officer of the immigration service sends the application to the chief commissioner of the immigration service for his recommendation to the minister.
8. In the case of Zanzibar, before the application is sent to the Chief Commissioner of Immigration, the Commissioner of Immigration of Zanzibar forwards the application to the office of the Second Vice-President for a recommendation, which is then forwarded to the Chief Commissioner of Immigration for his recommendation to the Minister.
9. The Chief Commissioner of Immigration forwards the recommended application to the Minister for a final decision.

The purchase of real estate is not a basis for granting a residence permit in Tanzania.

All foreigners who intend to reside in the United Republic of Tanzania for the purpose of investment, business, employment, or any other lawful activity may obtain a residence permit. There are three types of residence permits, they are Class A, B, and C residence permits.

However, there are various sub-categories of this broad classification of residence permits, as described in the residence permit matrix.

Class "C" permit can be issued to pensioners who have guaranteed sufficient income to support them and their dependents during their stay in the country.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR CLASS "C" PERMIT

1. Fully completed online application,
2. Cover letter from the educational institution
3. Work permit issued by the Labor Commissioner (Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar) or letter of dismissal from

the relevant body (for missionaries, volunteers, and NGO employees),

4. A copy of the applicant's passport (valid for at least six months),
5. National passport of dependents,
6. Passport-size photo,
7. Previous original of class C permit (in case of extension or replacement),
8. Letter of no objection for residence permit holders who move to a new institution,
9. Current immigration status of the applicant,
10. Physical Verification Report (PVV), if required*,
11. Enrollment process,
12. Other documents or requirements as directed by the Commissioner General of Immigration.

Special documents for retired persons

Confirmation of pension benefits

Submission of preliminary RP

Retirement letter

Certificate of residence