By Adv. Charles Boaz (Attorney)
The government of Tanzania through the Ministry responsible for labour affairs has introduced a new online work permit application system that is user-friendly, inexpensive and fast. Through this system, permit applicants can serve themselves by filling in the application form, downloading control number, making payment, and getting feedback/status of their applications. Despite having this efficient system, some permit applicants have been making mistakes that lead to delay in processing their application or even rejection. The following are some of common mistakes made by permit applicants when lodging their application;
Selecting wrong processing office: Work permits are processed by three offices namely Labour Commissioner Headquarter, Tanzania Investment Centre (TIC) and the Export Processing Zone Authority (EPZA). If the applicant (employer company) has been registered at TIC or EPZA, he must select TIC or EPZA as processing office. submission of the application to the wrong office may lead to unnecessary delay in the process.
Selecting wrong work and/or resident permit grant type: When applying for the work or residence permit you will be asked to selected grant type which may ordinarily be first grant or renewal in case of work permit while first grant, replacement, re-grant I, re-grant 2 etc in case of a residence permit. wrong selection of grant type may lead the applicant to be requested irrelevant or unavailable supporting documents; prolong the process and even lead to rejection of the application on the ground of providing false information.
Selecting wrong work and/or resident permit type: Work permits are categorized into four classes that is Class A, B, C and D while the residence permits are categorized into three classes that is Class A, B and C. Effect of selecting wring work or residence permit type is as the same as that of selecting wrong grant type.
Creating account with wrong credentials: Other mistakes happen when one is creating account where he may provide wrong email for example. after registering into the portal, activation link will be posted to the submitted email. if the email was incorrect, one will not be able to activate the account and subsequently log into it.
Failure to complete return on employees and profile attachments before lodging application for a work permit: Basically, one cannot start his application until he fill in the return on employees and profile attachment form available on the system. On profile attachments, you will be required to upload some of company basic documents prior to starting application.
Failure to comply with given instructions, in case of deferment: In the process of determining your application, the Labour Commissioner may return/defer the application for want of certain documents or additional information. Some users do not comply with given instructions result of which the application may be rejected.
Failure to consider employment ratio: Required employment ration is 1/10 that is to mean one foreign employee over ten local employees. Most of applications have been rejected for want of proper employment ration. The requirement to comply with employment ration does not cover employees exempted under the migrant quota, an incentive provided to employers registered at TIC and EPZA.
Failure to make payment in prescribed time: After completing the application, the system will generate control number for you to make payment. The issued control number expires in 30 days from the date of issuance. Thus, any delay in making payment within required time may lead to automatic death of the application unless the control number is renewed or you lodge new application.
Failure to observe required standard and size of uploaded document (s): Any document above 500KB cannot be uploaded in the system. When you try to upload document of higher size the system will record an error and it will not allow you to proceed to next step.
Filling wrong or false information on an application form: Providing wrong or false or fabricated document is a criminal offence that may be punished to imprisonment or fine. It may also lead to rejection of the application.
Inconsistency of information provided on various work and/or residence permit application supporting documents: Information provided on academic certificates must relate with those provided on the CV, names provided on the Passport must relate with the ones provided on the application form. Inconsistency of information may render to rejection of the application.
Missing of necessary document(s): Missing of necessary documents may cause your application to be left unattended or even rejected. For example, BRELA Search is one of the key documents for Class A application, short of which the application may not be attended.
Uploading false document(s): False, forged or fabricated documents are not allowed in the system. Once Labour Commissioner realizes that you have uploaded false document, he may call you for appearance to satisfy himself of the validity and authenticity of the document or alternatively reject the application.
Uploading wrong or irrelevant document(s): Wrong or irrelevant documents lead to delay in the process of the application. The application may be deferred for want of correct and relevant documents or rejected.
Using same account for different employers: Every employer company must have his own and separate account in the system. You cannot use one account to lodge applications of different companies. The result of this mistake is rejection.
If you need to apply for a work and residence permit in Tanzania Mainland or Zanzibar, contact our lawyers for guidance and assistance.