Additional corporate sponsor documents now required for residence permits

IMPACT – LOW

What is the change? Tanzanian immigration authorities have introduced additional corporate documentary requirements for resident permit applicants who are sponsored by an employer.

What does the change mean? Applicants must now additionally submit details of their employer’s shareholders as filed with the Tanzanian Business Registration and Licensing Agency and evidence of each shareholder’s current immigration status in Tanzania if the shareholder is a foreign national.

• Implementation time frame: Immediate.
• Visas/permits affected: Class B residence permits (foreign employees who have obtained specific employment in Tanzania).
• Who is affected: Employers sponsoring foreign nationals for residence permits.
• Business impact: The new requirements add to the document-gathering steps for sponsors.

Background: Foreign employees who are sponsored by an employer for a specific job must first apply for a work permit from the Ministry of Labor and then apply separately for a Class B residence permit from the Immigration Department of the Ministry of Home Affairs.  The additional document requirements relate to the latter application only.

BAL Analysis: Corporate sponsors should be aware of the new documentary requirements for foreign employees, and aim to obtain the information early in the process to avoid delays.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group and our network provider located in Tanzania. For additional information, please contact your BAL attorney.

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