Work and Residence Permits

The issuance of Work and Residence Permits is governed by the Employment Act No.11 of 2005 and the Immigration Act No.7 Cap 54 respectively. The Zanzibar Investment Promotion and Protection Act No.14 of 2018 provides an opportunity for the approved projects to employ expatriates in key positions that are determined by ZIPA. Through its One Stop Centre the work and resident permits are processed within 24 hours given all the supporting documents have been approved.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

• All permit applications should be submitted to ZIPA office at Maruhubi on working days from 08:00AM to 02:00PM.
• All documents should be submitted in English or Swahili language. The State University of Zanzibar (SUZA) and Investors respective Embassies may be used for documents translation (if necessary).
• All applications should be accompanied with all required documents. Incomplete applications shall not be received.
• Full submission of documents does not guarantee the issuance of permits. The Competent Authorities reserve the right to approve/disapprove any application.
• All Academic and Professional certificates must be certified by Competent Authorities such as University, High Court and the like
• Evidence of original Police Clearance shall be required during submission of the application for which Investors should bring with them during the submission of application.
• Permit renewal must be done timely to avoid penalty. Any delay in submitting application to ZIPA for renewal of permits shall attract a penalty of United State Dollars ten (US$ 10) payable to ZIPA for each delayed day for both investor as well as expatriates.
• Investors shall bring with them passport of the applicant for any permit cancellation application. Failure to submit the passport, Investor shall be liable to a penalty of US$ 300, payable to ZIPA.
• The issuance of Work and Residence permits shall not exceed 14 working days from the date of submission. Investors are advised to make their payment on time to avoid unnecessary delays. All payment should be deposited to PBZ Bank at account number 0400485001 (USD), 0400485000 (TZS) for Work permit and account number 0400257000 (USD) for Residence permit.
• All approved Permit/Passport shall be collected at ZIPA on working days from 01:00PM to 03:00PM.
• The wage of every employee shall be payable in legal tender directly deposited to each employee local bank account and any agreement to the contrary shall be null and void.
• It is an offence for any foreigner to work without a valid work permit. It is also an offence for any employer to employ or permit any foreigner without a valid work permit to work in his or her establishment.

NEW APPLICATIONS

For each post to be filled by non-citizen, investor shall apply in writing to ZIPA for a work and residence permits, prior to the arrival of the applicant in Zanzibar and submit together with the application the following documents:

For shareholders

• Three (3) copies of passport
• Three (3) sets of Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Nine (9) passport size photographs
• Three (3) certified copies of Police Clearance Certificate from country of origin and residence.
• Three (3) copies of Company Memorandum and Article of Association
• Three (3) copies of Certificate of Incorporation/Compliance
• Three (3) copies of Board Resolution certified by Registrar of Companies (if applicable)
• Two (2) copies of Business License / Investment Certificate
• Evidence of business premises (if applicable)
• Three (3) copies of TIN Certificate
• Immigration forms (TIF1, TIF 12 and Data sheet-original and its copies)

FOR EXPATRIATES

• Three (3) certified copies of academic and professional certificates
• Three (3) sets of Curriculum Vitae
• Three (3) passport copies
• Nine (9) passport size photographs
• Three (3) certified copies of Police Clearance Certificate from country of origin and residence.
• Three (3) original sets (and 2 copies) of Employment Contract which is in line with section 57 of Zanzibar Employment Act no. 11 of 2005
• Three (3) sets of Job description
• Permit from appropriate Body/Ministry (e.g. Medical Doctors Board for doctors etc.)
• Medical report certifying fitness of the applicant for the post being applied for.
• Evidence of unavailability of local personnel for the post
• Special Pass , Business Visa ,Temporary Work Permit (if applicable)
• Immigration forms (TIF 1, TIF 12 and Data sheet original and its copies)

FOR DEPENDENTS

• Two (2) copies of Passport of dependent
• Four (4) passport size photographs of the dependent
• Two (2) copies of work and residence permits of a sponsor
• Two (2) copies of evidence of relationship to sponsor (eg. marriage certificate for spouse)
• Immigration forms (TIF2 and TIF 12 – original and its copy)

RENEWAL OF WORK PERMIT

Work permit is valid for one year and can be renewed. Where a work permit is about to expire and the applicant is eligible for renewal, investor shall apply to ZIPA for the renewal, at least 14 working days before expiry date of the permit. The application shall be made in writing and accompanied with the following documents:

FOR SHAREHOLDERS

• Original expiring work permit and its copy
• Three (3) passport size photographs
• Receipt of payment of outstanding dues from ZIPA (if applicable)
• Tax Clearance Certificate issued by Tanzania Revenue Authority.

FOR EXPATRIATES

• Original expiring work permit and its copy
• Three (3) passport size photographs
• Two (2) sets of updated Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Bank statement of a previous year
• Two (2) copies of existing contract of employment or three (3) sets of original contract of employment plus its copy (for new contract)
• Tax Clearance Certificate issued by Tanzania Revenue Authority.
• Permit from appropriate Body (e.g. Medical Doctors Board for doctors etc.)
• Receipt of payment of outstanding dues from ZIPA (if applicable)

REPLACEMENT OF RESIDENCE PERMIT

Where a residence permit is about to expire, and the same is eligible for replacement, investor shall apply to ZIPA for its replacement at least 14 days before expiry date. The application shall be made in writing and accompanied with the following documents:

FOR SHAREHOLDERS

• Original Passport and its two (2) copies
• Original expiring permit and a copy
• Seven (7) passport size photographs
• Two (2) copies of Tax Clearance Certificate issued by Tanzania Revenue Authority
• Two (2) copies of work permit
• Special pass (if applicable)
• Financial statement (if applicable)
• Immigration forms (TIF 1, TIF12 and Data sheet)

Note:

FOR EXPATRIATES

• Passport and its two (2) copies
• Original expiring residence permit and its copy
• Two (2) copies of Work permit
• Seven (7) Passport size photographs
• Two signed copies of attested employment contract
• Tax Clearance Certificate issued by Tanzania Revenue Authority
• Permit from appropriate Body (e.g Ministry of Education for teachers) if applicable
• Special pass (if applicable)
• Immigration forms (TIF 1, TIF 12 and Data sheet)

FOR DEPENDENTS

Where a Dependent pass is about to expire, investor shall apply for the renewal of the same at least 14 days before expiry date. The application shall be made in writing to ZIPA and accompanied with the following documents:

• Original Passport and its two (2) copies
• Expiring Dependent Pass and its copy
• Two (2) copies of work permit of a sponsor
• Two (2) copies of residence permit of a sponsor
• Four (4) passport size photographs
• Two (2) copies of evidence of the relationship (e.g. marriage certificate for spouse)
• Immigration forms (TIF 2 and TIF 12)

CANCELLATION OF WORK AND RESIDENCE PERMITS

FOR INVESTORS

Where investor decides to cancel the work and residence permits, shall apply in writing to ZIPA and submit the following documents:

• Passport and its copy
• Original Work and Residence permits and their copies
• Dependent Pass (if any)
• Tax Clearance Certificates issued by TRA
• Recent Audited Final Accounts
• Board Resolution approved by Registrar (if applicable)
• Winding up certificate from the Registrar of Companies (if applicable)
• Business closure certificate from the Registrar of Companies (if applicable)

FOR EXPATRIATES

Where a contract between an expatriate and employer is about to end/terminated, and is not eligible for renewal employer shall apply to ZIPA for the cancellation of both work and residence permits at least 7 days before departure. The application shall be made in writing and accompanied with the following:-

• Passport of the applicant and its copy
• Work permit and its copy
• Residence permit and its copy
• Income Tax Clearance Certificate
• Dependent Pass (if any)
• Receipt of payment of outstanding dues from ZIPA (if applicable)
• Return ticket of the applicant

TEMPORARY WORK PERMIT

This permit is issued for temporary assignment for a period of less than six (6) months. The application shall be made in writing to ZIPA and accompanied with the following documents:-

• Two (2) copies of Passport
• Three (3) passport size photographs
• Two (2) sets of Curriculum Vitae
• Two original contract of the assignment and its copy
• Business Visa or Business Pass