Date of publication:
05/27/2025
United Republic of Tanzania (the)
Do domestic laws and policies provide refugees or stateless persons access to permanent residency status?
Assessment by population
Analysis
While the Refugee Act delineates the rights and duties of refugees, it lacks explicit provisions facilitating the transition from temporary protection to permanent residency or citizenship. This omission poses significant challenges for refugees and stateless individuals seeking long-term integration into Tanzanian society.
Complementing this, the Immigration Act of 1995 governs the entry and residence of non-citizens in Tanzania. However, it does not contain specific provisions addressing the residency status of refugees or stateless individuals, leading to legal ambiguities regarding their long-term stay.
In practice, this legal framework results in a lack of clear pathways for refugees and stateless persons to obtain permanent residency or citizenship in Tanzania. The absence of such mechanisms can perpetuate prolonged displacement and hinder integration efforts. Advocacy groups and international organizations have highlighted the need for legislative reforms to address these gaps, aiming to provide durable solutions for affected populations.