In Tanzania, a work permit is mandatory for a foreigner to work and engage in an income generating career. A work permit is a general phrase for a legal document that authorizes a person to work in another nation, in this case Tanzania. It’s most commonly used to describe situations in which a person is granted authorization to work in a nation where they don’t have citizenship. 

Unless a non Tanzanian has a valid work permit that enables him to work or engage in the occupation indicated in the legal work permit, a non-citizen may not engage in any employment for pay or profit.

Classes Of Work Permit

Work Permit Class

Non-Citizens concerned

Fee (US Dollar)

Maximum time of working in Tanzania

A

Investors or 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-citizens employed or engaged in approved religious or charitable activities

500

5 years

E

Refugees

Gratis

5 years

Required Documents

Before completing the Work Permit/Residence Permit Application Form, the applicant must scan and prepare all certified copies of the papers that must be attached/uploaded with the Form. The documentation necessary for all Work Permit Classes are shown in the table below.

The Following Documents Are Required to Be Submitted For Work Permit Application – Class A;

  • Justification Letter (Application letter)
  • Application Form TFN 901 (2 Forms)
  • Two recent passport size photographs of the applicant with blue background
  • Photocopy of a valid passport
  • Sectoral approval (Where applicable)
  • Previous work permit (for renewal application)
  • Industrial/Business/Operating license
  • Certificate of Tax Identification Number (TIN)
  • Certificate of Value Added Tax (Where applicable)
  • Certificate of Incorporation/Business name
  • Memorandum & Article of Association/Extract from the Registrar of Companies/Constitution/ any legal document
  • Certificate of Incentives (if any)

Note:-
– Work permit application forms TFN 901, TFN 903 are available at : www.kazi.go.tz
– All documents accompanied by Application forms must be certified as true copy of original.

The Following Documents Are Required To Be Submitted For Work Permit Application For Class B,C, And D:

  • A Justification Letter (Covering Letter)
  • Application Form TFN 901 (2Forms)
  • Contract of employment or engagement , as the case may be duly signed by relevant parties
  • Job or engagement description
  • Curriculum Vitae
  • Two recent passport size photographs of the application
  • Accreditation certificate, if any , from respective professional entities
  • Academic/professional certificates
  • Certified translation of certificates/documents by competent Authority or Embassy or Consular office (If they are in a languages other than English and Swahili)
  • Photocopy of a valid passport)
  • Previous work permit (for renewal application)
  • Industrial/Operating /Business license
  • Certificate of Incorporation, Business name and Extraction from the Registrar of Companies
  • Memorandum & Article of Association
  • Succession plan (for renewals) and
  • Letter of no objection (if any) from previous employer
  • Sectoral approval (where applicable)
  • Certificate of Incentives (if any)

Contact us to get help in applying for a work permit and knowing the costs of obtaining a work permit in Tanzania.