Registration system for foreign nationals awaits start

IMPACT – MEDIUM

What is the change? A recently announced plan to register and issue IDs to all foreign residents staying in Tanzania for longer than six months has not been implemented yet and is not yet part of the application process for long-term work permits.

What does the change mean? No deadline for foreign national registration has been set; the work permit application process remains the same until further notice by the Tanzanian government.

• Implementation time frame: Ongoing.
• Visas/permits affected: Registration for ID cards.
• Who is affected: Foreign nationals staying in Tanzania for longer than six months, including long-term work permit holders and their family members.
• Impact on processing times: No change.
• Business impact: When implemented, the registration and issuance of ID cards will add another step and additional cost for foreign employees living and working in Tanzania.
• Next steps: Currently, the registration system only covers Tanzanian civil servants. Foreign residents will be covered at a subsequent phase of the registration program.

Background: The National Identification Authority recently announced that it would register and issue ID cards to all residents staying in Tanzania for more than six months, including foreign nationals holding work and resident permits and family members over 18 years old.

The NIDA will charge a filing fee for registration and an ID card of US$50 for employees, US$100 for investors, and US$20 for dependents, researchers, students and missionaries.

The NIDA is currently registering civil service employees until Oct. 30 and has said it will issue a notice before beginning to register other residents.

BAL Analysis: Until further notice, foreign residents and work permit applicants are not yet required to register. Businesses and foreign employees should anticipate the additional step and government fees once registration procedures are announced and implemented.

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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