Tanzania Strengthens Ties with Diaspora Through New Special Status

Key Takeaways:

1. Special Status Creation for the Diaspora: The bill proposes the “Diaspora Tanzanite Card,” allowing former Tanzanian citizens and their descendants to live, enter, and engage economically in Tanzania without citizenship restrictions.
2. Land Ownership and Property Rights: Cardholders will have the right to acquire property and lease land for up to 33 years, encouraging investment and enabling the diaspora to engage in sectors like agriculture and tourism.
3. Reduced Visa Barriers: Holders of the Diaspora Tanzanite Card will bypass standard visa requirements, simplifying re-entry and stay in Tanzania.

Tanzania has finally decided to take a substantial step toward reuniting with its overseas community by proposing a special status for the diaspora. Introduced in Parliament on Friday, the bill proposes amending immigration and land laws to enable Tanzanians who have obtained foreign citizenship to officially maintain connections with their homeland.

This new program, embodied in the “Diaspora Tanzanite Card,” provides former Tanzanian citizens and their descendants with the right to enter, live, and conduct economic activities in the country, along with the right to acquire property. Crucially, the card enables lease rights for up to 33 years, opening doors for potential investors and fostering growth in agriculture and tourism. The card will be valid for ten years, with a renewal option.

With an eye on increasing economic contributions from the diaspora, the government predicts that this measure could boost remittances from $751 million in 2023 to $1.5 billion by 2028. Introducing the card also eases entry requirements, allowing Tanzanians abroad a simpler return to their roots by reducing visa barriers for Tanzanite Card holders.

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