NationalityLaws
Tanzania flag

Tanzania.tz

Dual Citizenship: No Africa

Do I need a visa?

Full visa checker →

Country Snapshot

Passport Power
#73
71 visa-free
Henley Passport Index 2026
Happiness
#130
of 143 countries
World Happiness Report 2024
Global Peace
#55
of 163 countries
Global Peace Index 2024
Human Development
#160
of 193 countries
UNDP HDI 2024
Economic Freedom
59.2
of 100
Heritage Foundation 2024
Corruption Index
40
of 100 (higher = cleaner)
Transparency International 2024
Business Friendliness
3/10
Nationality Index Assessment

Tanzania

Last Updated: 2026-04-02

Official Portal: Tanzania Immigration Services Department

Embassy Finder: Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation

Quick Facts

CategoryDetails
Residency for naturalization5 years of lawful residence
Language requirementKnowledge of Kiswahili expected (no formal test)
Civics testNone
Processing time12—24 months or longer
Naturalization feeTZS 500,000 (approximately USD 200)
Dual citizenshipNot permitted — acquiring a foreign nationality results in automatic loss of Tanzanian citizenship
Citizenship by birthYes, if born in Tanzania and at least one parent is a Tanzanian citizen
Citizenship by descentAutomatic for children born to Tanzanian parents (historically patrilineal; maternal transmission expanded)
Governing lawTanzania Citizenship Act 1995 (Cap 357), Constitution of the United Republic of Tanzania 1977 (as amended)

Dual Citizenship

Tanzania does not permit dual citizenship. This is one of the most strictly enforced single-nationality requirements in Africa, and it has resisted reform despite sustained advocacy from the diaspora and civil society.

Section 7 of the Citizenship Act 1995: A Tanzanian citizen who acquires the citizenship of another country automatically ceases to be a citizen of Tanzania. There is no retention mechanism, no exemption process, and no grace period. The loss is immediate and operates by force of law.

Section 8: A person who is a citizen of another country cannot acquire Tanzanian citizenship by naturalization unless they renounce their existing citizenship first and provide documentary evidence of that renunciation before the Tanzanian citizenship is conferred.

Practical impact on the diaspora: The prohibition has significant consequences for an estimated 200,000+ Tanzanians living abroad, primarily in the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, South Africa, Oman, and the Gulf States. Those who have naturalized in their countries of residence have automatically lost their Tanzanian citizenship. The consequences include:

  • No land ownership: Land in Tanzania is restricted to citizens. Former citizens cannot purchase, inherit, or hold land.
  • No voting rights: Former citizens cannot participate in Tanzanian elections.
  • Visa requirements: Former citizens must obtain visas to visit Tanzania, though Tanzania typically grants entry without difficulty.
  • Investment restrictions: Certain business activities and sectors are reserved for citizens.

Reform efforts and failures: There have been persistent calls for constitutional reform to allow dual citizenship:

  • The 2014 proposed constitution (Katiba Mpya) included a provision permitting dual citizenship. The draft was well-received by the diaspora but was never put to a referendum due to political disagreements on other provisions.
  • The Tanzania Diaspora Foundation and various diaspora organizations have continued to advocate for change through lobbying, petitions, and engagement with Members of Parliament.
  • President Samia Suluhu Hassan (in office since 2021) has signaled openness to diaspora engagement, but no concrete legislative proposals on dual citizenship have been introduced as of 2026.

Zanzibar dimension: Zanzibar, as a semi-autonomous part of the United Republic, has its own House of Representatives and certain autonomy on internal matters, but citizenship is a Union matter. Zanzibaris are Tanzanian citizens. The same dual citizenship prohibition applies across the Union. Some Zanzibaris have argued for Zanzibar-specific citizenship provisions, but this remains a politically sensitive topic tied to broader questions about the Union’s structure.

Acquisition of Nationality

By Birth (Jus Soli — Conditional)

A person born in Tanzania acquires citizenship at birth if at least one parent is a citizen of Tanzania at the time of birth. Birth on Tanzanian territory alone, to two non-citizen parents, does not confer citizenship. Tanzania follows a conditional jus soli model that is effectively jus sanguinis with a territorial requirement.

By Descent

A child born outside Tanzania acquires citizenship if the father is a Tanzanian citizen at the time of birth. The 1995 Citizenship Act was originally explicitly patrilineal. Constitutional amendments, court interpretations, and the 2019 Miscellaneous Amendments Act have expanded maternal transmission rights, but the statutory framework remains incompletely reformed.

In practice, claims through the mother are now generally accepted by the Immigration Services Department, but applicants may encounter additional documentation requirements or bureaucratic resistance. Formal registration of the birth at a Tanzanian mission abroad is required.

By Adoption

There is no specific provision in the Citizenship Act for automatic citizenship acquisition through adoption. A child adopted by Tanzanian citizens would need to apply through a registration or naturalization process. The adoption would be a favorable factor in the application. International adoptions in Tanzania are governed by the Law of the Child Act 2009 and are subject to approval by the Commissioner for Social Welfare.

By Marriage

A foreign woman married to a Tanzanian citizen may apply for citizenship through a simplified registration process. The original 1995 Act provided this right only to wives of Tanzanian men. The gender asymmetry has been challenged in court and discussed in Parliament. While there have been informal signals that both spouses should be treated equally, the statutory text has not been fully amended. Foreign husbands must naturalize through the standard 5-year process.

By Naturalization

RequirementDetails
Lawful residence5 years (continuous and lawful)
Good characterNo criminal record; endorsed by local government authorities
LanguageKnowledge of Kiswahili (demonstrated through interview, not a formal test)
Financial meansAbility to support oneself and dependents without recourse to public assistance
Renunciation of prior citizenshipRequired — must provide documentary proof of renunciation or loss of foreign citizenship before Tanzanian citizenship is granted
Intent to resideMust intend to continue residing in Tanzania
Oath of allegianceRequired
FeeTZS 500,000 (approximately USD 200)

The Minister responsible for citizenship exercises discretion in granting naturalization. Applications are processed through the Immigration Services Department and reviewed by the Citizenship Advisory Board. Meeting all requirements does not guarantee approval.

Loss and Renunciation

Voluntary renunciation: A Tanzanian citizen who holds or is about to acquire another nationality may renounce Tanzanian citizenship by declaration to the competent authority.

Automatic loss: A Tanzanian citizen who acquires a foreign nationality by voluntary act ceases to be a Tanzanian citizen immediately upon acquisition of the foreign nationality. This is automatic by operation of law and does not require any formal declaration, notification, or administrative action. The person is considered to have lost citizenship from the moment the foreign nationality was conferred.

Deprivation: Citizenship by naturalization may be revoked if:

  • Obtained by fraud, false representation, or concealment of a material fact.
  • The person has shown disloyalty to Tanzania.
  • The person has been convicted of certain offenses within 5 years of naturalization.
  • The person has resided outside Tanzania continuously for a prescribed period without maintaining contact with the Immigration Services Department.

Citizens by birth cannot be deprived of citizenship under the Constitution.

Restoration of Nationality

A former Tanzanian citizen who lost citizenship by acquiring a foreign nationality may apply for restoration, but only if they have first renounced the foreign nationality. This is a hard requirement — Tanzania will not restore citizenship to a person who still holds foreign nationality.

Requirements for restoration:

  • Documentary proof that the foreign nationality has been surrendered (renunciation certificate or confirmation from the foreign government).
  • Surrender of the foreign passport.
  • Good character and no disqualifying criminal record.
  • Intent to reside in Tanzania or maintain a substantial connection.
  • Application to the Immigration Services Department through the prescribed form.

Processing times are typically 12—24 months. Restoration is discretionary, not automatic.

Stateless Persons and Foundlings

The Citizenship Act provides that a child found in Tanzania whose parents are unknown is presumed to be a citizen of Tanzania. Tanzania is a party to the 1954 Convention Relating to the Status of Stateless Persons and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child.

Document Checklist

  • Completed application form (Form No. 5 for naturalization, obtained from Immigration Services Department)
  • Valid passport or travel document (current and all expired)
  • Birth certificate (original or certified copy, with English or Swahili translation)
  • Proof of 5 years continuous lawful residence (residence permits, employer letters, tax returns)
  • Marriage certificate (if applying through marriage)
  • Police clearance certificate (from Tanzania and countries of previous residence)
  • Evidence of renunciation of foreign citizenship (renunciation certificate from foreign government)
  • Letter of recommendation from local government authority (Ward or District level)
  • Proof of financial self-sufficiency (bank statements, employment letter)
  • Passport-sized photographs (4, recent, color)
  • Payment of application fee (TZS 500,000)
  • Completed oath of allegiance form (upon approval)

Sources

  1. Tanzania Citizenship Act, 1995 (Cap 357) — Principal legislation governing citizenship acquisition, loss, and restoration. https://www.judiciary.go.tz/

  2. Constitution of the United Republic of Tanzania, 1977 (as amended) — Part III, Citizenship.

  3. Immigration Services Department — Processes citizenship applications. https://www.immigration.go.tz/

  4. Ministry of Home Affairs — Oversees immigration and citizenship policy. https://www.moha.go.tz/

  5. Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation — Diplomatic missions abroad. https://www.foreign.go.tz/

  6. Law of the Child Act, 2009 — Governs adoption proceedings relevant to citizenship claims.

← All Countries