Get Your Tanzania Dual Citizenship – Learn How to Apply
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Eligibility Overview
- By Birth or Descent: You’re a citizen if born in Tanzania after April 26, 1964 to at least one Tanzanian parent. Children born abroad under similar conditions qualify by descent. Dual citizenship is prohibited — except minors under 18 born with multiple citizenships, who must choose by adulthood.
- By Marriage: A foreign woman married to a Tanzanian man may naturalize after meeting residence and integration requirements — but must renounce other citizenships.
- By Naturalization: After 7 years cumulative (with the last 12 months continuous), language and culture knowledge, good character, and formal renunciation of prior nationality.
- Dual Citizenship Not Allowed: Tanzania does not permit dual nationality for adults. Violating this results in loss of Tanzanian citizenship.
- Proposed “Diaspora Special Status”: A pending bill would allow former citizens to gain limited rights (property, entry, business) without full citizenship — valid for 10 years and renewable.
Step-by-Step Process
- Confirm if citizenship applies by descent, marriage, or naturalization.
- Apply via Immigration Department or Tanzanian embassy abroad.
- Submit birth/marriage certificates and proof of residence, integration, and language.
- For naturalization or marriage, formally renounce other citizenships.
- Under pending reforms, apply for “Diaspora Special Status” instead of renouncing if eligible.
- Receive your Tanzanian citizenship certificate or Diaspora status and passport/ID.
Benefits of Tanzanian Citizenship
- Right to live, work, own property, and vote in Tanzania
- Access to public services: education, healthcare, social programs
- Automatically pass citizenship to children
- East African Community travel rights
- “Diaspora status” may soon give non-citizens access to benefits without full citizenship
Frequently asked questions.
Does Tanzania allow dual citizenship?
No. Adults who acquire a foreign nationality lose Tanzanian citizenship. Only minors born with two nationalities can temporarily hold both until adulthood, when they must choose one.
What is the “Diaspora Special Status”?
A proposed law would allow former Tanzanian citizens or descendants to obtain a renewable 10‑year status that grants property rights, visa‑free entry, and business privileges — without full citizenship.
Can I naturalize without renouncing my other nationality?
No. Tanzanian law requires renunciation of your other citizenship. Failure to do so will result in automatic loss of Tanzanian nationality.
Can I get citizenship through marriage?
Yes, if married to a Tanzanian man and meeting residence, integration, and renunciation conditions. Women married to Tanzanian men may naturalize under family provisions.
Will I owe taxes in both countries?
Tanzania taxes residents on local-source income. If you retain another nationality and reside abroad, that country may also tax you. Double taxation treaties may apply — consult a tax advisor.