Applying for a passport in Tanzania is a crucial process for Tanzanian citizens who want to travel outside of the country. In this article, we will provide you with all the necessary information on how to apply for a passport in Tanzania.
But before that, it’s better to keep in mind that Passport is one of the very sensitive document issued by the government to its citizens so as to allow them to travel outside the country for various purposes.
Tanzania government issues various types of passports and other travel documents as provided for by the Tanzania Passports and other Travel documents Cap 42 of 2002 and its Regulations of 2004.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Types of Passports
There are three types of passports in Tanzania:
- Ordinary Passport: An ordinary passport may be issued to any citizen of the United Republic of Tanzania for the purpose of travelling outside the United Republic of Tanzania. This passport may be used to travel to all countries and is issued with a validity of ten years.
- Service Passport: Service passport may be issued to any citizen of the United Republic of Tanzania for the purpose of travelling overseas on official duties.
- Diplomatic Passport: This type of passport is issued to government officials and diplomats for official purposes.
Requirements for Obtaining Ordinary Passport
Before applying for an Ordinary passport in Tanzania, you must meet the eligibility criteria. To be eligible for a Tanzanian passport, you must be a Tanzanian citizen and have the following documents:
- Applicant’s Birth certificate or an Affidavit of birth
- Birth Certificate or Affidavit of birth of a parent or Certificate of Naturalisation;
- National ID Card (issued by NIDA)
- Proof of applicant’s activities or justification of a trip
- One (1) passport size photo
Requirements for Obtaining Service Passport
Before applying for a Service passport in Tanzania, you must meet the eligibility criteria. To be eligible for a this passport, you must be a Tanzanian and have the following documents:
- Applicant’s Birth certificate or an Affidavit of birth
- Birth Certificate or Affidavit of birth of a parent or Certificate of Naturalisation;
- National ID Card (issued by NIDA)
- Proof of applicant’s activities or justification of a trip
- One (1) passport size photo
- An introduction letter from UTUMISHI KUU
Requirements for Obtaining Diplomatic Passport
Before applying for Diplomatic passport in Tanzania, you must meet the eligibility criteria. To be eligible for a this passport, you must be a Tanzanian diplomats and have the following documents:
- Applicant’s Birth certificate or an Affidavit of birth
- Birth Certificate or Affidavit of birth of a parent or Certificate of Naturalisation;
- National ID Card (issued by NIDA)
- Proof of applicant’s activities or justification of a trip
- One (1) passport size photo
- An introduction letter from Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation
Steps to Apply for a Passport
With exclusion of Geneva Convention travel document and Certificate of Identity, all other types of passports including Emergency Travel Documents may be applied online through the following link:
APPLY EMERGENCY TRAVEL DOCUMENTS NOW
After accomplishing to fill the form online and make payment, applicant is required to print and submit the form along with the required attachments to the nearest Regional immigration Office, Immigration Headquarters, Immigration Head Office in Zanzibar as the case may be or at the relevant Tanzanian Embassy If the applicant is outside the country.
In case the applicant is below the age of 18 years, the parent’s or legal guardian must accompany the applicant and submit a written consent regarding the applicants trip outside the country
Processing Time
The processing time for a passport in Tanzania varies from 2 weeks to 8 weeks, depending on the number of applications received and the workload of the Immigration Office.
Passport Fees
The fees for a Tanzanian passport are as follows:
| TYPE | FEE TANZANIA | FEE EMBASSY (USD) |
| ORDINARY ELECTRONIC PASSPORT | 130,000/= | Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 75 |
| SERVICE ELECTRONIC PASSPORT | 130,000/= | Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 75 |
| DIPLOMATIC ELECTRONIC PASSPORT | 130,000/= | Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 75 |
| EMERGENCY TRAVEL DOCUMENT | 20, 000/= | Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 20 |
| CERTIFICATE OF IDENTITY | 10,000/= | |
| GENERAL CONVENTION TRAVEL DOCUMENT | 20,000/= |
Tanzania Passport FAQs
What is the requirements for replacement of Stolen or Lost Passports
Where a passport is lost, stolen or severely damaged, application for replacement shall be accompanied by the following: Police Loss Report; Copy of advertisement published in a newspaper; A Letter detailing the circumstances for the loss, stolen or burnt of the passport. (The letter should be addressed to the Commissioner General of Immigration, PO.BOX 512, Dar es Salaam); Sworn declaration of the circumstances surrounding the LOSS, THEFT OR DAMAGE of Passport). An applicant birth certificate or an Affidavit of birth; The birth’s certificate of the father or mother of the applicant or certificate of naturalization; Evidence of the applicant’s trip; 1 recent photographs (with light blue background) of the applicant;
What is Mode of Payment for for Applicants of Passport while in Tanzania.
Applicants of passports who fill and submit their applications from within the country are required to make their payments in two segments (20,000 as application form fee) and (130,000 as passport fee). The passport fee is payable while the applicant submits his/her application.
What is Mode of Payment for Passport through Embassies.
Applicants of Passport through Embassies are required to fill applications form Online, and pay 90 USD in full which covers both Application fee (15 USD) and Passport fee (75 USD). Therefore, after completing to fill the form online, applicant will be given a control number of 90USD (for normal applications) and 265 USD for those who lost their passports and apply as a lost case applicant. Therefore, applicants are strongly advised to make sure that they have sufficient documents and apply for correct type of passport before making payment.
Who is eligible to apply for a Tanzania passport
Tanzanian citizens are eligible to apply for a Tanzania passport. This includes individuals who were born in Tanzania or have acquired Tanzanian citizenship through marriage or other means recognized by Tanzanian law.
Conclusion
Applying for a passport in Tanzania is a straightforward process that requires accurate information and supporting documents. We hope this article has provided you with all the necessary information on how to apply for a passport in Tanzania. If you have any further questions or concerns, please visit the Tanzania Immigration Department website or contact your nearest Immigration Office.
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