HOW TO OBTAIN WORK PERMIT IN TANZANIA

1. OVERVIEW

Work permit application in Tanzania-In Mainland Tanzania, work permit applies for ‘non-citizen. The law defines non-citizen as a person who is not a Tanzanian pursuant to the Citizenship Act. Matters relating to work permit are regulated by different laws, but mainly are The Non-Citizens (Employment Regulation) Act No. 1 of 2015 which applies in Mainland Tanzania only, the Non-Citizens (Employment Regulation) Regulations, 2016, The Tanzania Citizenship Act Cap. 357 (R.E 2002) and The Immigration Act No. 7 of 1995.

The law grant authority to the Minister responsible for labour and employment matters to regulated all matters relating to employment and engagement of non-citizens in Tanzania. According to The Non-Citizens (Employment Regulation) Act, a Work Permit issued under the Act is not a legal document that permits a foreigner to reside in any part of Tanzania, but it permits a non-citizen who has acquired a valid residence permit to work in Tanzania. A valid residence is issued under The Immigration Act.

2. WHO IS REQUIRED TO APPLY FOR WORK PERMIT IN TANZANIA?

• Employer based in Mainland Tanzania

Any employer whether citizen or foreigner based in Mainland Tanzania who wishes to employ a non-citizen shall apply for work permit. This includes a local or foreign company as an employer of a non-citizen of Tanzania to work in Mainland Tanzania,

• Employee who is non-citizen

Any other non-citizen who intends to engage in any work, whether for reward or not, shall apply for a work permit. Work permit applications are applied to the Labour Commissioner.

3. TYPES OF WORK PERMITS IN TANZANIA

In Mainland Tanzania, the Law provides for four types of Work Permit basing on the nature of work:

1. Work Permit Class ‘A’

This type is issued for shareholders of a company/investors and self-employed.

2. Work Permit Class ‘B’

A company wishing to employ foreign employee must first apply for Work Part class ‘B’ for science expatriates (oil and gas engineers, science and mathematics teachers and University Lectures in Science and Mathematics)

3. Work Permit Class ‘C’

This is issued to directors who are not shareholders and expatriates of professions than for science expatriates (oil and gas engineers, science and mathematics teachers)

4. Work Permit Class ‘D’

This is issued to non-citizen employees or engaged in approved religious and charitable activities.

4. RESTRICTION FOR USE OF WORK PERMIT

It should be noted that, work permit is not alternative to residence permit.  Work permit in any case can not be construed as permitting a foreigner to reside in any part of the United Republic of Tanzania, unless he is possession of a valid residence permit issued under Immigration Act. Therefore, a foreigner to reside and work in Tanzania he needs to have both residence permit and work permit. A work permit issued shall not be transferable and shall be valid only for the purpose for which it was issued and within the specified time of its validity unless is earlier cancelled.

5. APPLICATION FOR WORK PERMIT CLASS ‘A’

Residence Permit Class A may be granted to a person who intends to enter or remain in Tanzania and engage on self-employed investment as a Professional Artist Investor, Diaspora Investors, Refugee Investors or any other sector/ Industry Investors.

Requirements for application of Work Permit Class ‘A’

1. Justification Letter (reasons for the application)
2. Two recent passport size photographs of the applicant
3. Copy of Photocopy of a valid passport
4. Sectorial approval (where applicable)
5. Original previous work permit (for renewal application)
6. Copy of Industrial/business/operating license
7. Copy of Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) Certificate
8. Copy of Value Added Tax Certificate (where applicable)
9. A copy of certificate of incorporation or business name and extract from the Registrar of Companies
10. Memorandum and Articles of Association (where applicable), and
11. Copy of Certificate of Incentive (if any)

6. APPLICATION OF WORK PERMIT CLASS ‘B, C and D’

Requirements

Work permit application in Tanzania shall be made in a prescribed form and accompanied by the following documents certified by the Commissioner for Oaths:

1. Justification Letter (reasons for the application)
2. Contract of employment or engagement, as the case may be, duly signed by relevant parties,
3. Job or engagement description;
4. Curriculum Vitae of non-citizen;
5. Two recent passport size photographs of the non-citizen;
6. Copy of academic or professional certificates of the non-citizen;
7. A copy of accreditation certificate, from respective professional entities; (where applicable)
8. Certified translation of certificates or documents by competent Authority, Embassy or Consular office (if they are in a language other than English and Kiswahili)
9. Photocopy of a valid passport;
10. Previous work permit (for renewal application):
11. A copy of industrial, business or operating license;
12. A copy of certificate of incorporation or business name and extract from the Registrar of Companies;
13. Memorandum and Article of Association;
14. A success plan (for renewal)
15. Sectorial approvals (where applicable); and
16. Certificate of Incentive (if any)

7. CLASSES OF WORK PERMIT AND RESPECTIVE FEES

Work Permit Class	Non- Citizen concerned	Fee (US Dollar)	Maximum time of working in Tanzania
A	Investors of self employed	1,000	Beyond 10 years/ as long as business exists
B	Non-citizen in possession of prescribed professions	500	5 years
C	Non- citizen in possession of other professions	1,000	5 years
D	Non – citizen employed or engaged in approved religious or charitable activities	500	5 years
E	Refugees	Gratis	5 years

8. PROCEDURE FOR APPLYING RESIDENCE PERMIT ONLINE

Residence Permits are generally to be sought by the company or employer while the prospective resident is still outside the country except in renewal cases. An employer who applies for a first grant Residence Permit while the prospective resident is within the country may be subjected to pay for Special Pass fee ($600) on top of the Residence Permit fee.

NEED HELP

If you are looking to apply for work permit application in Tanzania, feel free to contact Alin Law Care for free consultation via Email: info@alinlawcare.co.tz, Phone: +255 753 610 909, +255 673 030 412, or visit our website  https://www.alinlawcare.co.tz/ for more articles on different areas of interests.