Tanzania Orders Immigration Reforms

Tanzania’s Immigration Department has been directed to improve passport, visa and residence permit services, strengthen border security and intensify efforts to combat illegal immigration as part of six key priorities outlined by the Ministry of Home Affairs.

The directives were issued by Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs, Dr Franklin Rwezimula, on November 12, 2026, while opening the Immigration Department’s Workers’ Council meeting at the Regional Immigration Training Academy (TRITA) in Kilimanjaro Region.

Rwezimula called on the department to improve service delivery, eliminate bureaucratic delays and corruption, strengthen immigration enforcement and ensure that citizenship matters are managed in accordance with the country’s laws.

On passport services, he directed the department to ensure that electronic passports are processed and issued within the required timeframes, without unnecessary bureaucracy or corruption. He also called for improvements to online application systems and more accessible service centres to make the process easier for applicants.

Regarding visa services, Rwezimula emphasised the need for faster, transparent and legally compliant processing. He called for greater use of the electronic visa (e-Visa) system to reduce congestion and opportunities for corruption, while ensuring that foreign nationals entering Tanzania meet the country’s legal and security requirements.

On residence permits, he directed immigration authorities to strengthen verification procedures to ensure that permits are issued only to eligible foreign nationals with legitimate reasons for living in the country.

He also called for regular reviews of issued permits and shorter application processing times without compromising the quality of background checks and verification.

The fourth directive focused on border management, with Rwezimula urging the department to strengthen patrols and surveillance across land borders, maritime entry points and airports.

He stressed the importance of cooperation with security and defence agencies, alongside the adoption of modern technologies and adequate staffing and equipment at border control stations.

On illegal immigration, he instructed the department to continue enforcement operations and take legal action against offenders in accordance with Tanzanian law.

He further called for stronger cooperation with communities living in border areas and neighbouring countries to address illegal migration, human trafficking and other forms of cross-border crime.

The sixth directive concerned the management of Tanzanian citizenship services. Rwezimula called for applications to be assessed in accordance with the Constitution and Citizenship Act, with thorough verification to ensure that citizenship is granted only to applicants who meet the legal requirements.

He also urged immigration authorities to intensify public education on immigration laws, procedures and requirements to improve public understanding and compliance.

The six directives come amid broader efforts to strengthen Tanzania’s immigration administration, improve the movement of legitimate travellers and investors, and address security challenges associated with cross-border activities.

Efficient passport, visa and residence permit services are also important for facilitating tourism, trade, investment and international mobility, while effective border controls remain central to national security.

The meeting at TRITA provided a platform for discussing institutional priorities, service delivery and the department’s responsibilities in implementing Tanzania’s immigration laws.