Any person who is not a citizen of Tanzania whether by birth or by descent may apply for Tanzania citizenship by naturalization to the Minister responsible for citizenship matters.
CONDITIONS FOR CITIZENSHIP BY NATURALIZATION
Qualifications for a foreigner who applies for Tanzania Citizenship are:
i. That he has resided in the United Republic throughout the period of twelve months immediately preceding the date of application,
ii. That during the ten years immediately preceding the said period of twelve months he resided in the United Republic for periods amounting in the aggregate do not less than seven years,
iii. That he has an adequate knowledge of Kiswahili or the English language,
iv. That he is of good character,
v. That, in terms of his past and potential contribution to the national economy, or scientific and technological advancement and to the national social and cultural welfare, he would be a suitable citizen of the United Republic,
vi. That he intends, if naturalized to continue to reside permanently in the United Republic.
APPLICATION PROCEDURES
Applications for Tanzania citizenship undergo the following procedures:-
i. An applicant fills in prescribed Forms.
ii. The applicant submits the application to the Ward Executive Secretary or Sheha (for the case of Zanzibar) where the applicant resides.
iii. The Ward Executive Secretary or Sheha submits the application to the District Immigration Office and the applicant pays a submission fee of USD 1500 which is non-refundable.
iv. The applicant publishes in two consecutive issues of the daily news papers registered in Tanzania Main land and Zanzibar a notice of intention to apply for naturalization.
v. The applicant has to be interviewed by the District Defense and Security Committee.
vi. The District Immigration Officer forward the application to the Regional Immigration Officer who forwards the said application to the Regional Defense and Security Committee for further scrutiny.
vii. The Regional Immigration Officer forwards the application to the Commissioner General of Immigration for his recommendation to the Minister.
viii. For the case of Zanzibar before the application is sent to the Commissioner General of Immigration, the Commissioner of Immigration Zanzibar forwards the application to the office of the Second Vice President for recommendation and it is later submitted to the Commissioner General of Immigration for his recommendation to the Minister.
ix. The Commissioner General of Immigration forwards the recommended application to the Minister for final decision.
3.1 Naturalization of Women Married to Citizens
A woman married to a citizen of the United Republic shall at any time during the life time of the husband be entitled upon making an application in a prescribed form, to be naturalized as a citizen of the United Republic.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE FOR A MARRIED WOMAN:
- The applicant fills in prescribed Forms.
- The applicant may submit the application to the District, Regional immigration office, Head office Zanzibar or at the Headquarters and pays a submission fee of USD 1500 which is non-refundable.
iii. The applicant publishes in two consecutive issues of the daily news papers registered in Tanzania Main land and Zanzibar a notice of intention to apply for naturalization.
- The District, Regional Immigration Officer or Commissioner of Immigration Zanzibar forwards the application to the Commissioner General of Immigration for his recommendations.
- The Commissioner General of Immigration forwards the application to the Minister for final decision.
REQUIREMENTS:
The application for Tanzania citizenship by a married woman should be attached with:
- Proof of husband's citizenship.
- Marriage certificate registered in Tanzania.
iii. A copy of valid national passport
- A proof of valid immigration status.
- Five recent passport size photographs.
3.2 Naturalization of Minor
The minister may cause the Minor child of any citizen of the United Republic to be naturalized as a citizen of the United Republic upon application made in the prescribed manner by a parent or guardian of a child.
APPLICATION PROCEDURES FOR A MINOR:
- The parent or guardian fills in prescribed Forms.
- The parent or guardian may submit the application to the District, Regional immigration office, Head office Zanzibar or at the Headquarters.
iii. The District or Regional Immigration Officer, Commissioner Zanzibar forwards the application to the Commissioner General of Immigration for recommendations.
- The Commissioner General of Immigration forwards the application to the Minister for final decision.
NOTE:
A Parent or guardian must be a citizen and he has to proof that he is a citizen of the United Republic.
REQUIREMENTS:
The application for Tanzania citizenship for a minor should be attached with:
- Proof of citizenship of parent or guardian
- Birth certificate of a child
iii. A valid Immigration status
- Five recent passport size photographs
- The parent or guardian pays a submission fee of USD 1500 which is non-refundable.