United Republic of Tanzania visas
Tanzania splits responsibilities between two authorities: the Immigration Department issues residence permits (Class A for investors and the self-employed, Class B for employment, Class C for students, retirees and others), while the Prime Minister's Office handles work permits. A Class B residence permit requires a work permit first. Permanent residence exists but is discretionary and granted only after long residence.
5 routes · 3 without a sponsor · 1 lead to settlement
Official portal
Primary source
Tanzania Immigration Department ↗ · Immigration Department (Ministry of Home Affairs, Tanzania)
Link last verified:
Regulators of immigration advice
- Tanganyika Law Society (TLS) — Professional body of advocates in Tanzania. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator; representation is by licensed advocates.
Visa routes (5)
Residence Permit Class B (employment)
For expatriates taking up a job with a Tanzanian company or institution: the Class B residence permit lets you live in Tanzania for your employment, but it sits on top of a work permit, which the Prime Minister's Office (Labour) must grant first.
Sponsor required · Non-settlement · Last reviewed 11 July 2026
Residence Permit Class A (self-employed and investors)
For self-employed foreigners and investors running their own venture in Tanzania: the Class A residence permit lets you live in the country on the basis of your business or investment, and for registered investors it is usually arranged through the Tanzania Investment Centre.
No sponsor needed · Non-settlement · Last reviewed 11 July 2026
Residence Permit Class C (students, retirees, researchers, missionaries)
For foreigners living in Tanzania for a reason other than local employment or running a business - students, retirees, researchers, missionaries, volunteers and similar - the Class C residence permit is the catch-all residence route for your situation.
No sponsor needed · Non-settlement · Last reviewed 1 June 2026
Work Permit (Prime Minister's Office - Labour)
For foreigners taking up employment in Tanzania: the work permit is the labour-side authorisation that the Prime Minister's Office (Labour) must grant before the Immigration Department can issue your Class B residence permit.
Sponsor required · Non-settlement · Last reviewed 11 July 2026
Long-tenure Residence (high-value investors, discretionary)
For investors whose contribution to Tanzania is of great economic value: there is no standard permanent-residence category, but the Commissioner General of Immigration can, at discretion, grant much longer-tenure residence than the usual short renewable permits.
No sponsor needed · Leads to settlement · Last reviewed 1 June 2026
Frequently asked questions
How many visa routes does United Republic of Tanzania have?+
We cover 5 United Republic of Tanzania visa routes in these categories: sponsored work, investor, and general residence. Each one links to its primary government source and carries a last-reviewed date.
Which United Republic of Tanzania visas do not need an employer sponsor?+
3 of the 5 United Republic of Tanzania routes we cover can be pursued without an employer sponsor, which helps if you do not have a job offer yet. The remaining 2 are employer-sponsored.
Which United Republic of Tanzania visas lead to permanent residence?+
1 of the 5 routes can lead to settlement or permanent residence; the others are temporary. Open each route for its settlement detail and qualifying period.
Need tailored advice?
We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.
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