Tanzania: Follow-up to TZA40622.E of 6 January 2003 on whether a national of the Democratic Republic of Congo (RDC) living in a bona fide marriage with a Tanzanian national for over three years qualifies for permanent residence status in Tanzania; measures that must be taken; and circumstances under which permanent residence status may be denied
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 15 May 2003 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | TZA41547.E |
| Reference | 2 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Tanzania: Follow-up to TZA40622.E of 6 January 2003 on whether a national of the Democratic Republic of Congo (RDC) living in a bona fide marriage with a Tanzanian national for over three years qualifies for permanent residence status in Tanzania; measures that must be taken; and circumstances under which permanent residence status may be denied, 15 May 2003, TZA41547.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3f7d4e2de.html [accessed 17 September 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
The information that follows was received from the Tanzanian Director of Immigration Services through the High Commission of the United Republic of Tanzania in Ottawa:
"Permanent residence status in any form is not yet part of our law. A person is either a citizen (by birth, descent or naturalization) or an alien whose presence in the country is determined by factors provided for in the immigration law. Residence Permits irrespective of class in Tanzania have a validity not exceeding five years. Upon presentation of convincing reasons a person may re-apply for another term of permit again not exceeding five years.
"... living in a common law relationship with a Tanzanian citizen, or a marriage relationship generally does not confer any right, let alone permanent residence status. Social relations have no effect on our immigration or citizenship law.
"... legality of stay in Tanzania by a foreigner is dependent on conditions prescribed in the permit. Each residence permit issued is subject to the conditions prescribed from time to time in respect of the class of that permit in question. A permit shall cease to be valid and the presence of the holder thereof shall be illegal in Tanzania if the conditions prescribed therein are contravened.
"... marriage relationship is not one of the conditions for issuance of permits unless the applicant is a female dependent of a Tanzanian husband. Hitherto, in our law a foreign husband cannot be a dependent of his Tanzanian wife.
"... We are currently in the process of revisiting and amending our laws to cope with changes both internal and external. Externally we are harmonizing our laws with our partners in the East African Community (EAC) and SADC. Permanent Residence status is being considered to be introduced among other matters" (16 Apr. 2003).
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.
Reference
Tanzania: 16 April 2003. The High Commission of the United Republic of Tanzania, Ottawa. Correspondence.