Published on and written by Cyril Jarnias
Obtaining a passport in Tanzania has become simpler than it was a few years ago, but the procedure remains highly regulated and tightly controlled. Between online applications, the mandatory in-person step for fingerprints, the different types of documents available, and the multiple fee schedules, it’s easy to get lost. This detailed guide compiles and reorganizes official information to enable a Tanzanian citizen – in Tanzania or abroad – to understand, step by step, how to obtain or renew a passport.
Legal Framework and Competent Authorities
The Tanzanian passport is an official travel document, considered sensitive, issued solely by the State to citizens of the United Republic of Tanzania. Its issuance is governed by the Tanzania Passports and other Travel Documents Act (Chapter 42 of 2002) and its 2004 regulations, recently updated by a 2024 amendment.
The overseeing authority is the Tanzania Immigration Services Department, under the Ministry of Home Affairs. The Commissioner General of Immigration has extensive powers: approving applications, enforcing regulations, and can revoke a passport in case of fraudulent use, loss of citizenship, or involvement in serious criminal activities (drug trafficking, terrorism).
A fundamental point to remember: passports are not produced in embassies and high commissions. Even if you apply abroad, your file is processed in Tanzania, mainly in Dar es Salaam, by the immigration services. Diplomatic missions serve as relays to collect applications, verify identity, and transmit files.
Different Types of Passports and Travel Documents
The Tanzanian system distinguishes several categories of passports and travel documents, depending on the applicant’s status and the nature of the trip. Knowing these categories is essential to make the right application.
Ordinary, Service, and Diplomatic Passport
The ordinary passport is the standard document for citizens traveling for tourism, business, studies, family visits, or any other personal reason. It is now issued as an electronic passport (ePassport) compliant with ICAO standards, featuring a chip, biometric data, and numerous visual security features.
The service passport is strictly reserved for public officials and specific positions for official missions abroad.
The diplomatic passport is intended for senior state officials and Tanzanian diplomats. Its issuance is strictly governed by law and requires an official introduction from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation.
These three main categories can be summarized as follows:
| Document Type | Intended Audience | Primary Use |
|---|---|---|
| Ordinary Passport | Any eligible Tanzanian citizen | Personal and professional travel |
| Service Passport | Civil servants and holders of certain positions | Official missions abroad |
| Diplomatic Passport | Designated diplomats and senior officials | Official state representation |
East African Passport and Other Special Documents
Alongside classic passports, Tanzania issues several specific documents.
The East African passport is intended for citizens who mainly travel within member countries of the East African Community (EAC). It facilitates regional movement, often without a visa, within this area.
For particular situations, several other categories of documents exist:
The Emergency Travel Document (ETD) is used for urgent travel or a citizen stranded abroad, unable to obtain a passport immediately (lost, stolen, deadlines too tight). It is valid for a single, short-duration journey. The Certificate of Identity concerns non-citizens or stateless persons residing in Tanzania who cannot obtain a passport from their country of origin, allowing them to legally leave the territory. The Geneva Convention Travel Document is exclusively for refugees under Tanzania’s protection, in accordance with the Geneva Convention.
These documents have their own issuance conditions, fees, and validity periods, distinct from the ordinary passport.
Transition to the Electronic Passport
Since early 2018, Tanzania has only issued electronic passports, in a format harmonized within East Africa. The old machine-readable passports were gradually phased out, with an official cutoff date set for their complete discontinuation.
The new document has several features:
Main security and design elements of the passport of the United Republic of Tanzania.
An embedded chip that stores the holder’s personal data, including their identity and biometric information.
A laser-printed page with a digital signature, readable by automated systems at entry points.
Patterns depicting the history of the union between Tanganyika and Zanzibar and iconic wildlife (the ‘big five’).
All information is presented in the country’s two official languages: Swahili and English.
Colors vary by passport type: navy blue for ordinary, green for service, red for diplomatic. The standard validity of the ordinary passport is ten years, making it suitable for frequent travelers, provided blank pages are kept for visas.
Eligibility Requirements and Proof of Citizenship
To obtain a passport in Tanzania, the essential condition is to be a citizen of the United Republic by birth, naturalization, or registration. Tanzania generally does not recognize dual citizenship for adults, which can have consequences for potential dual nationals or those who acquire a new citizenship.
Three types of basic documents serve to prove this citizenship:
Three main documents are required to prove Tanzanian citizenship: birth certificate, affidavit of birth, and certificate of naturalization.
Particularity of the Tanzanian system: the birth or naturalization documents of the parents are also required. The objective is to verify lineage and prevent identity theft. Therefore, during a first application, the file will be considered incomplete if these parental documents are missing.
In addition to proof of birth or naturalization, a national identity verification is required: the NIDA identity card or, failing that, an NIDA registration receipt for adults. Without this document, a passport application cannot be completed.
Required Documents: The Core of the Application
Compiling the file is the most delicate step for many applicants. Each category of application (first issuance, renewal, replacement due to loss or damage, children born abroad, etc.) involves specific documents.
Documents Common to All Applications
Regardless of the type of passport sought, some documents are systematically required:
– Duly completed passport application form.
– Applicant’s birth certificate, affidavit, or certificate of naturalization.
– Birth certificate, affidavit, or certificate of naturalization of (at least) one Tanzanian parent.
– National identity card (NIDA) or receipt.
– Recent passport photo(s) meeting the required format and specifications.
– Receipt of payment for the required fees.
It is essential that all copies of documents are clear, legible, and, when requested, certified as true copies. Also ensure the consistency of information such as names, dates, and places of birth across all documents. Any inconsistency may lead to a request for clarification from the administration, or even rejection of the application.
Special Cases: Minors, Marriages, Name Changes
For minors, the rule is stricter: they must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian, who must provide a written letter of consent for any travel abroad. According to the texts, the age threshold mentioned varies (under 16 or under 18), but in practice, parental consent is systematically checked for individuals who have not yet reached the age of majority.
Married women must attach their marriage certificate, especially if the name used differs from that on the birth certificate or NIDA card. In case of a court-ordered name change, a copy of the judgment is required.
For a renewal, the old passport must be returned. For a replacement due to loss, theft, or serious damage, an affidavit describing the circumstances, a police report (for theft), and sometimes publishing a notice in a newspaper to report the document’s disappearance are required.
Applications from Abroad and Children Born Outside Tanzania
Tanzanians residing abroad must gather the same set of supporting documents, but the logistical procedure differs: the form is filled out online, then printed and submitted to the competent embassy or high commission. An interview, photo capture, and fingerprinting are conducted there, then the file is sent to Tanzania.
For a child born abroad, for example in the United States, a passport application is possible if at least one parent is a Tanzanian citizen. The file must include the child’s local birth certificate, the birth certificate and copy of the passport of the Tanzanian parent, as well as a letter from this parent requesting the passport’s issuance. The child must appear in person at the diplomatic mission for biometrics.
Photos and Biometrics: Very Specific Requirements
Photography is one of the most common reasons for rejection. Tanzanian authorities impose precise standards, both for the printed version and for the digital files uploaded to the portal.
The standard size of a passport photo is approximately 45 mm x 35 mm (or an equivalent format, sometimes expressed as 2 x 2 inches), with a white or very light background, without shadows or patterns. The face must occupy 70 to 80% of the total height, be perfectly centered and facing forward, with eyes open and clearly visible. Exaggerated expressions are prohibited: a neutral expression, with mouth closed, is required.
The appearance rules are standard:
– No hat or head covering, except for religious or medical reasons attested by a letter.
– No glasses, except for proven medical necessity, without reflections or frames obscuring the eyes.
– No headphones, earbuds, or bulky accessories.
– No digital retouching or filters.
For infants and very young children, only the child’s presence is allowed in the frame; no adult, toy, or pacifier may appear. If the child cannot sit up, they may be photographed lying on a white sheet. For babies, it is tolerated if the eyes are not fully open.
Beyond the photo, the procedure includes complete biometric capture: fingerprints and the facial image are recorded in the immigration database during the in-person appointment, whether at a regional office, in Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar, or an embassy.
Standard Procedure: From Online Application to Passport Collection
Tanzania has gradually digitized its immigration services through a centralized online portal: www.immigration.go.tz. This portal brings together applications for passports, visas, and many residence permits.
Step 1: Account Creation and Form Filling
The applicant begins by logging into the online services platform (Tanzania eServices). They create a user account or log into an existing account, then select the “passport” service corresponding to the nature of the application (first issuance, renewal, ETD, etc.).
In the online form, they provide:
– Their complete identity (surname, given names, date and place of birth, gender).
– Their address and contact details.
– References of their documents (birth certificate, NIDA card, old passport if applicable).
– Information about their parents.
– Contact details of a guarantor or reference person.
– Emergency contacts.
The system generates an application identifier (Application ID or Reference ID) that must absolutely be kept to track the file.
Step 2: Document Upload and Fee Payment
The form requires uploading scanned supporting documents: birth certificates, NIDA cards, old passport pages, certificates, as applicable. Files must match the indicated formats (PDF, JPEG, etc.) and be perfectly legible.
In Tanzania, payment is made via mobile money (Airtel Money, Tigo Pesa, etc.) or bank transfer, using a specific control number. Abroad, payment is generally made in US dollars (USD), online or at the embassy, and may sometimes be accepted in local currency.
Once payment is validated, the applicant prints the completed form along with the proof of payment, which will be part of the physical file to be submitted.
Step 3: Physical Submission and Biometric Registration
Despite digital modernization, physical presence remains mandatory. In Tanzania, the applicant goes to the immigration headquarters, Zanzibar, or any regional or district office, with:
– The printed form.
– The original supporting documents.
– The payment receipt.
Abroad, the application is made with the competent Tanzanian embassy or high commission. An agent verifies the documents, may take an official photo, and records fingerprints. For some documents, like an emergency travel document (ETD), a phone or face-to-face interview may be required, at the discretion of the consulate.
Step 4: Processing, Tracking, and Passport Collection
The standard processing time announced is between about ten days and two business weeks, but it may vary depending on workload, application complexity, or public holidays. Applicants are encouraged to submit their application well before their planned departure date to avoid unnecessary stress.
Tracking is done online, using the Application ID and sometimes the associated phone number. Once the passport is ready, the applicant is informed that they can come to collect it. Collection is upon presentation of identity and the original receipt. When an application is made through an embassy, a prepaid envelope or shipping label system may be used to return the document to the applicant’s home.
How Much Does it Cost? Understanding the Fee Schedules
Passport fees in Tanzania generally consist of two elements: an application fee (or form fee) and an issuance fee for the document itself. Surcharges are sometimes added for special cases (loss, damage, urgency, etc.).
Main Passport and Associated Document Fees
The most frequently cited amounts can be summarized in the following table:
| Document Type / Operation | Indicative Amount | Currency / Context |
|---|---|---|
| Ordinary Passport (ePassport) – application in Tanzania | 150,000 | TZS (including form+document fee) |
| Ordinary Passport 32 pages (5 years) | 50,000 | TZS |
| Ordinary Passport 64 pages (10 years) | 150,000 | TZS |
| Diplomatic Passport (base fee) | 150,000 | TZS (amount cited for the document) |
| Emergency Travel Document (ETD) – in Tanzania | 20,000 | TZS |
| Certificate of Identity | 10,000 | TZS |
| Geneva Convention Travel Document | 50,000 | TZS |
| Ordinary Passport – application via embassy | 90 | USD (form + passport) |
| Replacement 1st lost passport (abroad) | 250 | USD |
| Replacement lost passport (2nd time and more) | 350 | USD |
| Replacement damaged e-passport (abroad) | 150 | USD |
| Passport for child born abroad | 90 | USD |
It should be kept in mind that fees are non-refundable, even if the application is rejected. In certain exceptional cases, the Minister of Home Affairs, on the recommendation of the Commissioner General, may exempt a person from repaying fees for a new application, but this remains marginal.
Other Permits: Dependant Pass, Business Pass, etc.
Around the passport orbit many immigration permits (Dependant Pass, Student’s Pass, Business Pass, Special Pass, Re-entry Pass, Migrant Pass…) which are intended for foreigners or members of mixed families. They are not passports, but it is useful to know of their existence, especially for foreign spouses or dependent children.
For example:
| Permit / Pass | Main Fees | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Dependant Pass (spouse, children, dependents) | 500 USD or 150 USD (EAC) | 100,000 TZS for foreign wife |
| Business Pass | 200 USD (100 USD EAC) | Business stay max. 3 months |
| Re-Entry Pass | 50 USD | Linked to residence permit validity |
| Special Pass | 600 USD | To later apply for a permit |
| Student’s Pass 1 | 200 USD (free EAC) | Adult students |
| Student’s Pass 2 | 100 USD (free EAC) | Minor children of residents |
| Migrant Pass | 10,000 TZS | Special historical cases |
These amounts are not involved in obtaining a Tanzanian passport as such, but often in managing stays in Tanzania for foreigners linked to Tanzanian nationals.
Timeframes, Common Errors, and Rejection Risks
Even if announced timeframes are around 10 to 14 business days, they remain purely indicative. Any error in the form, any missing document, or doubt about identity can prolong the procedure.
The most common errors are:
Applications are often rejected due to inconsistencies in personal information (name, spelling, date of birth), poor photo quality, absence of required documents (like parents’ birth certificates), payment issues (control number, transaction rejection), or using an incorrect email address which leads to missing the administration’s requests for additional information.
In case of suspected fraud, false information, or questionable documents, authorities may not only refuse the application, but also initiate legal proceedings. The law indeed considers the passport a highly sensitive document.
Passport, Visa, and Travel: What to Anticipate
Holding a Tanzanian passport is not always enough to travel freely. Depending on the destination, a visa, electronic authorization, or vaccination certificate may be required. It is generally recommended that the passport remains valid for at least six months after the planned return date, a condition frequently required by other countries.
Holders of a Tanzanian passport enjoy visa-free access or visa on arrival in several dozen countries and territories. Its travel power, measured by indices like Henley’s, places Tanzania in the regional average, on par with some neighboring countries.
Tanzanian Passport
Conversely, foreigners wishing to travel to Tanzania (Indians, Nigerians, Americans, South Africans, etc.) often need to obtain a visa, which can be applied for online (eVisa) or, for some, upon arrival. This procedure is separate from passport issuance, but it highlights the importance of a valid document, with at least one blank page and sufficient validity.
For travel to or through certain regions, a yellow fever vaccination certificate may also be required, especially if the person is arriving from a country classified as at-risk.
Living Abroad with a Tanzanian Passport: Role of Embassies
Tanzanians living or traveling abroad are strongly encouraged to register with the nearest diplomatic mission. In case of an emergency (disaster, political unrest, death, arrest, etc.), this registration facilitates consular assistance.
Embassies and high commissions can:
Our assistance services for administrative procedures and difficult situations abroad
Transmit passport and Emergency Travel Document (ETD) applications to the competent authorities.
Ensure the secure collection of your biometric data necessary for official documents.
Help you retrieve or legalize certain documents (birth certificates, diplomas, documents related to a death).
Inform and support families, and facilitate the repatriation of remains, when necessary.
They also serve as the point of contact in case of theft or loss of the passport abroad. The person must then provide a police report, an affidavit, and, according to procedures, a newspaper notice, before being able to apply for a new passport or an ETD to return to Tanzania.
Revocation, Loss, and Holder Obligations
Holding a passport in Tanzania entails responsibilities. The law provides for specific cases of revocation:
– Lending or transferring the passport to a third party.
– Deportation at government expense.
– Loss of Tanzanian citizenship.
– Involvement in serious criminal activities.
In case of loss or theft, it’s not enough to simply request a new document. You must legally reconstruct the circumstances via a police report and an affidavit, and sometimes publish a notice in a newspaper. Replacement fees are intentionally higher than for a first issuance to discourage repeated negligence.
The holder must also ensure to renew their passport early enough. Nothing prohibits applying for a new document before expiration if the validity end date is approaching and many trips are planned. However, each renewal follows largely the same identity verification procedure.
Practical Tips for a Successful Application
Faced with this dense procedure, a few simple practices can minimize the risk of delay or rejection:
To optimize your chances of obtaining a passport, follow these essential tips: meticulously verify the consistency of information across all your documents (birth certificate, NIDA card, marriage certificate, etc.). Strictly follow the instructions for the identity photo and use a photographer accustomed to official requirements. Scan your documents in high resolution for perfect legibility. Use a valid email address that is checked regularly, and carefully keep the generated Application ID. Pay only through official payment channels and be wary of unauthorized intermediaries. Finally, anticipate by starting your application several weeks or months before an important travel plan.
Finally, it is prudent to keep digital and paper copies of all submitted documents, as well as a record of payment receipts. In case of a dispute or technical problem, these documents will facilitate resolving the case with the immigration administration.
In Summary
Obtaining a passport in Tanzania is based on a balance between digital modernization and strict identity control. The process is now largely digital via the portal www.immigration.go.tz, but the applicant’s physical presence remains essential for biometric data collection.
To obtain a Tanzanian passport, it is crucial to provide the required documents (birth certificate, NIDA certificate, specific certificates for service/diplomatic passports), comply with formalities (photos, signatures, translations), and anticipate processing times. Once issued, this passport enables international travel, visa applications, study, work, or discovering the world, with the protection of the Tanzanian legal framework and the support of consular services if needed.
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Cyril Jarnias is an independent expert in international wealth management with over 20 years of experience. As an expatriate himself, he is dedicated to helping individuals and business leaders build, protect, and pass on their wealth with complete peace of mind.
On his website, cyriljarnias.com, he shares his expertise on international real estate, offshore company formation, and expatriation.
Thanks to his expertise, he offers sound advice to optimize his clients' wealth management. Cyril Jarnias is also recognized for his appearances in many prestigious media outlets such as BFM Business, les Français de l’étranger, Le Figaro, Les Echos, and Mieux vivre votre argent, where he shares his knowledge and know-how in wealth management.
