How to Get a Job and Work in Tanzania as a Foreigner

Looking for jobs in Tanzania ?

To start working in Tanzania, there are things you should be familiar with, like, how to search for a job in Tanzania, also you should be aware of best job listing sites in Tanzania you can rely on during your career search in Tanzania.

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How to Find jobs in Tanzania ? 

As Swahili language is a most popular language used in Tanzania, it is also widely used during searching for a job, you will come across several keywords like nafasi za kazi Tanzania or ajira mpya tanzania, others they also be more specific and search for Nafasi za kazi makampuni binafsi or nafasi za kazi mashirika binafsi. It is important to use these keywords as they leads you to a better result. 

For government related jobs in Tanzania, people use keywords like.. Nafasi za kazi serikalini or Ajira mpya serikalini. Sometimes they use Ajira portal or nafasi za kazi Utumishi to target only government sectors'  jobs. Other emerging keywords you should be aware of while searching are Bongo jobs, kazi Tanzania, Ajira mpya za waalimu and ajira jeshi la polisi Tanzania. For English related keywords, you may target keywords like, safari jobs in Tanzania, NGO jobs in Tanzania or Government Jobs in Tanzania, you may also use searching keyword like Tanzania Recruitment Portal (Ajira Portal) to target government related jobs only.

List of Most Popular Jobs in Tanzania

Popular jobs in Tanzania for expats:

• Accounting and Finance jobs
• Healthy related Jobs
• Human Resources Jobs
• Administrative Jobs
• Teaching Jobs
• Driving Jobs
• Waiter or Waitress Jobs
• Customer Service Jobs
• Information Communication (IT) Jobs

Recommended:

Check Recent Job listings in Tanzania here!

In addition, it is also easier to find unskilled jobs in Tanzania, though these jobs are mostly available for local resident people. Some of these jobs include;

• Cleaner or janitor.
• Fast food worker.
• Construction laborer.
• Sewing machine operator (semi-automatic)
• Parking lot attendant. etc.

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Live and work in Tanzania

Find Visa to Work in Tanzania

Yes, You will need a VISA to work in Tanzania unless you are a citizen of an EAC member.

Types of Work Visas in Tanzania

Like any other country, Tanzania has specific guidelines in place for foreign nationals who plan to travel within its borders. A variety of visas are available to foreigners, and the most common types are:

• Ordinary/Tourist visa: This visa allows tourists and other visitors to travel to Tanzania through designated entry points along the border
• Business visa: This visa applies to foreigners who intend to invest in Tanzania and need to visit for related purposes, such as establishing professional contacts and conducting feasibility studies.
• Multiple-entry visa: Tanzanian officials issue this visa to foreigners who need to travel to the country frequently, typically for business and investment purposes. The validity of this visa ranges from a month to a year.
• Transit visa: This visa allows foreigners to travel through Tanzania without visiting on their way to another destination.
• Diplomatic visa: The diplomatic visa applies to diplomats and other representatives who plan to travel to Tanzania on official business.

In addition to these visas, Tanzania offers Five different categories of work and residence permits:

• Class A permits for foreign investors
• Class B permits for foreign employees with specialized skills who are filling a position for which there are no eligible workers in Tanzania
• Class C permits for missionaries, volunteers, students, researchers, and more
• Class D permit for Non-citizens employed or engaged in approved religious or charitable activities
• Class E permit for Refugees

Most employees will need to get a Class B work permit in Tanzania.

What are Work Visas Requirements in Tanzania?

Visa requirements for foreigners who plan to travel to or working in Tanzania include:

• A completed visa application form
• A passport that is valid for at least six months after the applicant’s intended date of entry
• Five passport photos
• Proof of vaccination against yellow fever
• Evidence of sufficient financial means

To get a Class B work and residence permit, applicants will need to provide the following:

• A signed employment contract
• A valid passport
• Passport photographs
• A copy of the applicant’s CV
• Copies of academic records and other qualifications for the job, including referrals from previous employers

Application Process

To access the Online System for application of Work/Residence Permit, applicants are required to visit the Prime Minister's Office - Policy, Parliament, Coordination, Labour, Youth, Employment and Persons with Disability official website: www.kazi.go.tz OR the Immigration Department official website: www.immigration.go.tz and click the link which will allow them to start application process. The following is a complete application process for Work and Residence Permit:-

1. Applicant is required to register to the Online Work/Residence Permit Application System using his/her existing email or create a new email.
2. The applicant will then be required to create an account in the System by filling his/her names and details of a company or institution that seeks to employ him/her.
3. In the same window, the applicant is required to create a password which will be used to log into the System any time when applying for a new permit and making follow up on already submitted application.
4. Then the applicant will submit the details by clicking the SUBMIT button and the account shall be created.
5. The Applicant will then be in a position to log in the OWAIS and continue filling out an Online Work/Residence Permit Application Form.
6. After filling out the Application Form, the applicant will submit the same electronically by clicking the SUBMIT button.

Work Permit Guidelines Full Description, find here!

Work Permit and Residence Permit Fees Payments

The applicant is required to submit the Application Form electronically in order to receive an online notification and Bill/Control number, which is automatically generated by the System for Work Permit. After receiving the Bill/Control number, the applicant shall: -

Make payment for Work Permit fee by depositing money directly into the Prime Minister's Office - Policy, Parliament, Coordination, Labour, Youth, Employment and Persons with Disability United States Dollar (USD) Bank Account by using the control number given in the bill for Work Permit Application or online by using VISA/Master Card.

Include in the documents to be uploaded with the Application Form receipt for payment of facilitation fees for applicants who are registered with the Tanzania Investment Centre (TIC) or Export Processing Zones Authority (EPZA).

When payment for Work Permit fee is made, the System will automatically forward the application to the Labour Commissioner who will scrutinise and make appropriate decision on the same. The System will then forward the application to the Commissioner General of Immigration, where the application is granted. The Commissioner General of Immigration will process the application for Residence Permit based on the documents submitted by the applicant and decision made by the Labour Commissioner.

The Commissioner General of Immigration will process the application for Residence Permit and make appropriate decision on the same. If the application is granted, the applicant will receive a notification to that effect and then the System will generate a control number for payment of Residence Permit fee. The applicant will be required to download the payment bill and make payment by using the control number provided as per instructions given in the bill of payment

More about Payment for Work Permit and Residence Permit Fees, find it here!