Ways to live in Tanzania
These are the residence routes in Bordr's guide that we have checked against official sources. Each one links to the government page.
Programme details are shown in English.
Work permit Work permits →
Residence Permit Class B (employment)
Permit for foreign specialists with skills that are scarce locally, hired by a company or institution in Tanzania.
- What you need
- A signed employment contract with a repatriation clause, the employer's registration, licence and tax clearance, a CV, an organisation chart and professional registration where needed. The work permit is approved by the Labour Commissioner first.
- Renewable
- Yes
- How to apply
- Through the Labour Commissioner and then the Director of Immigration Services; the applicant must be outside Tanzania while it is processed
- Family
- Family members can come with you
Student visa Student visas →
Residence Permit Class C (students)
Permit for foreigners enrolled at a school, college or university in Tanzania. Class C also covers researchers and volunteers.
- What you need
- Admission to a Tanzanian educational institution. The application must be made before arriving in Tanzania.
- Renewable
- Yes
- How to apply
- To the Director of Immigration Services, from outside Tanzania
Investment and golden visa Investment and golden visas →
Residence Permit Class A (investors and self-employed)
Permit for foreigners who invest in or run their own business in Tanzania, for example in trade, industry, mining, forestry or services.
- What you need
- Business licence, company registration, tax registration, proof of business premises, a CV and bank statements. Investors not registered with the Tanzania Investment Centre (TIC) must show capital or assets of at least $300,000.
- Savings
- about $300,000
- How long
- usually 2 years
- Renewable
- Yes
- How to apply
- To the Director of Immigration Services; Class A can be applied for from inside Tanzania
- Family
- Family members can come with you
Cost of living
Monthly amounts in US dollars.
| Room in a shared flat | $150 |
|---|---|
| One-bedroom flat | $400 |
| Two-bedroom flat | $700 |
| Bills | $60 |
| Typical local salary | $250 |
Some of these figures are estimates; treat them as a rough guide.
Cities to consider
- Dar es SalaamEast African port city
- ArushaSafari base by Kilimanjaro
- Zanzibar CitySpice island with Stone Town
Climate by month, neighbourhoods and costs for each city are in the Bordr guide.
What life is like
Programme details are shown in English.
Why people move
Few places match its wildlife, from the Serengeti to Ngorongoro. Expats base themselves in Dar es Salaam, Arusha near the safari circuit, or Zanzibar for white beaches and Swahili stone-town culture.
Day to day
Domestic flights save long road trips, and a newer railway links Dar es Salaam inland. Good private care is limited to major cities. Mobile money is everywhere. Swahili is the everyday language, and English is used in business.
Trade-offs
Malaria is present in many areas. Roads can be rough and slow, and power and water supply are not always reliable.
Before you move: visa-free entry
Most people arrive as visitors first, then apply from inside the country or come back with the right visa. How long you can stay as a visitor depends on your passport:
United StatesVOA · 90 d
United KingdomVOA · 90 d
AustraliaVOA · 90 d
CanadaVOA · 90 d
New ZealandVOA · 90 d
SwitzerlandVOA · 90 d
NorwayVOA · 90 d
Singapore90 days
JapanVOA · 90 d
South KoreaVOA · 90 d
IsraelVOA · 90 d
United Arab EmiratesVOA · 90 d
Hong Kong90 days
South Africa90 days
MexicoVOA · 90 d
BrazilVOA · 90 d
Questions
Does Tanzania have a digital nomad visa?
Not among the routes we have checked. Remote workers usually come as visitors within the visa-free limit or use one of the other routes on this page.
How can I move to Tanzania?
The routes we have checked are: Work permit, Student visa, Investment and golden visa.
Sources and last check
This page is general information, not legal or immigration advice. Requirements change; confirm with the official government page or a licensed adviser before you apply.
