Key changes to the Tanzania’s Non-Citizen (Employment Regulation) Act

The Parliament of the United Republic of Tanzania has enacted the Labour Laws (Amendments) Act No. 4 of 2025 (the Labour Amendments Act), which introduces key reforms to the Non-Citizens (Employment Regulation) Act, 2015 (the NERA), which regulates the employment of non-citizens in Tanzania.

In this legal update, we highlight and analyse the changes introduced by the Labour Amendments Act and consider how they will impact the employment sector in Tanzania. We provide a detailed analysis of the amendments set out under Part IV of the Labour Amendments Act and their implications. The key changes introduced to the NERA by the Labour Amendments Act include the following:

Engagement in more than one company for a class A work permit holder

The Labour Amendments Act has amended section 9 of the NERA to introduce the requirement of a Class A holder who intends to engage with another company to which they are a shareholder to present a tax clearance certificate from the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) to obtain a written authorisation from the Labour Commissioner. 

This eliminates the requirement of obtaining separate work permits for each company in which a Class A work permit holder holds shares. Instead, they must secure written authorization from the Labour Commissioner for any additional engagements beyond their primary role.

This change reduces administrative burdens and creates a more favourable environment for foreign investors. For non-citizens, this amendment offers greater flexibility to oversee multiple business ventures, provided they comply with the authorisation process. 

Work permits for refugees

The Labour Amendments Act has amended the NERA to introduce the granting of a work permit to a refugee, which shall remain valid for a period of time during which the refugee maintains the refugee status in accordance with the applicable laws in Tanzania.

For refugees, this amendment provides much-needed stability, as their work permits will align with their legal status, removing time restrictions unrelated to their refugee status. However, maintaining refugee status under Tanzanian law becomes crucial for continued employment. 

Renewals of work permits

The Labour Amendments Act has introduced a timeframe of 60 days before expiry for which applications for renewal of work permits must be submitted. This will ensure sufficient time for processing and reducing the risks of employment authorisation lapses.

For all non-citizens, the 60-day period is a proactive measure to avoid disruptions caused by expired permits. Employers must adjust their compliance systems to track permit expiry dates and ensure timely submissions, thereby reducing the risks of operational disruptions or legal penalties.

Conclusion 

The Amendments to the NERA reflect the government’s efforts to address practical challenges faced by non-citizens while safeguarding Tanzania’s labour market integrity. To effectively adapt to these changes, non-citizens managing multiple investments should proactively seek the necessary authorisations to avoid breaches, while refugees must ensure their status remains valid under relevant laws. Employers, on the other hand, must implement robust tracking systems to monitor permit expiration dates and ensure all applications, whether new or for renewal, are submitted correctly and on time.