Tanzania: Renunciation of Tanzanian citizenship; procedures and paperwork required
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Ottawa |
| Publication Date | 10 April 2008 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | TZA102818.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Tanzania: Renunciation of Tanzanian citizenship; procedures and paperwork required, 10 April 2008, TZA102818.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/4829b55b23.html [accessed 22 May 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 in the following two paragraphs was provided by an official at the United Republic of Tanzania High Commission in Ottawa in a 3 April 2008 telephone interview.
Tanzania does not recognize dual citizenship; therefore when a Tanzanian obtains the citizenship of another country, he or she is considered to have given up his or her Tanzanian citizenship (Tanzania 3 Apr. 2008). In a country that allows dual citizenship, such as Canada, Tanzanians may try to hold onto their Tanzanian passports; however, when these individuals gain a second citizenship, they are no longer considered Tanzanian by the Tanzanian government (ibid.). According to the Official, in such cases, "there is no process" for renouncing Tanzanian citizenship (ibid.).
However, in a country that does not allow dual citizenship, a Tanzanian may be required to renounce his or her Tanzanian citizenship and obtain official confirmation of the renunciation from the Tanzanian government before obtaining new citizenship (ibid.). To renounce his or her Tanzanian citizenship, the individual may write a letter to the immigration authorities in Tanzania or to a Tanzanian embassy (that would forward the letter to the authorities) (ibid.; see also Tanzania n.d.). The individual would also need to surrender his or her Tanzanian passport (Tanzania 3 Apr. 2008). The Official noted that there is also a form to be completed; however, this form is not available in Canada (ibid.).
The website of the Embassy of the United Republic of Tanzania in Nordic Countries and Baltic States which is located in Stockholm, Sweden provides further details on the renunciation of Tanzanian citizenship (Tanzania n.d.). The website states that the Embassy receives renunciation applications and forwards them to the Immigration Office, Ministry of Home Affairs in Tanzania (ibid.). The individual renouncing his or her citizenship must complete two original copies of the "renunciation form" and have them signed by a magistrate or commissioner of oaths (e.g., a court clerk, lawyer or notary) (ibid.). In addition, the applicant must submit three passport-sized photos, a letter of offer of new citizenship and the required processing and postage fees amounting to 1,090 Swedish Krona (SEK) [1 Swedish Krona = 0.17 Canadian dollars (Canada 4 Apr. 2008)] (Tanzania n.d.). The applicant must also surrender his or her Tanzanian passport (ibid.).
The website of the Embassy of the United Republic of Tanzania in Nordic Countries and Baltic States also indicates that the process for renouncing Tanzanian citizenship takes "not less than two months" and that "[t]he applicant will be informed of the decision by the Embassy" (Tanzania n.d.). However, applicants may also follow up with their application directly with the immigration authorities in Tanzania (ibid.).
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 for refugee protection. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
References
Canada. 4 April 2008. Bank of Canada. "Daily Currency Converter."
Tanzania. 3 April 2008. United Republic of Tanzania High Commission, Ottawa. Telephone interview with an official.
_____. N.d. Embassy of the United Republic of Tanzania in Nordic Countries and Baltic States. "Renunciation of Tanzania Citizenship."
Additional Sources Consulted
Internet sites, including: European Country of Origin Information Network (ecoi.net); International Organization for Migration (IOM); Tanzania – Embassy of the United Republic of Tanzania, Berlin; Tanzania – United Republic of Tanzania High Commission, Ottawa; Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) – RefWorld.
