Tanzania: immigration

How many refugees are there in Tanzania?

171,142 refugees and 43,262 asylum seekers were living in Tanzania at the end of 2025, according to UNHCR. 131,156 of the refugees were from Burundi and 39,689 from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, according to UNHCR's breakdown by origin.

Most of the asylum seekers, 37,347, were also from the DR Congo. The number of refugees fell from 176,859 a year earlier. 1,592 refugees and 2,777 asylum seekers from Tanzania were living abroad, according to UNHCR.

Official sources: UNHCR: population data, Tanzania as host country · UNHCR: refugees in Tanzania by origin, 2025 · UNHCR: population data, Tanzanian nationals abroad

How many refugees have gone home from Tanzania?

7,721 refugees who had been living in Tanzania returned to their home countries in 2025, down from 13,852 in 2024, according to UNHCR.

All of the 2025 returns recorded by UNHCR were to Burundi, according to its breakdown by origin. UNHCR counts returns it knows of; people who go home without assistance may not be recorded. 11,887 other people of concern to UNHCR were also in Tanzania in 2025.

Official sources: UNHCR: population data, Tanzania as host country · UNHCR: refugees in Tanzania by origin, 2025

How many migrants live in Tanzania?

462,371 people born abroad were living in Tanzania in 2024, according to the World Bank World Development Indicators, which use UN estimates. That is under 1% of the population.

Net migration, the number arriving minus the number leaving, was minus 12,730 in 2025, meaning more people left than arrived, according to the World Bank. The migrant figures include refugees. Residence and work permits for foreign nationals are issued by the Immigration Services Department.

Official sources: World Bank: international migrant stock, Tanzania · World Bank: net migration, Tanzania · Immigration Services Department

Do I need a visa to visit Tanzania?

Visa rules, fees and the online visa application for Tanzania are published by the Immigration Services Department. Its website and online visa service could not be read on 15 October 2026, so current requirements and fees are not stated here.

Requirements depend on nationality and the purpose of the visit. The department also issues residence and work permits for foreign nationals. 462,371 people born abroad were living in Tanzania in 2024, according to the World Bank.

Official sources: Immigration Services Department · World Bank: international migrant stock, Tanzania

How much money do Tanzanians abroad send home?

Tanzania received US$1.12 billion in personal remittances in 2024, down from US$1.24 billion in 2023, according to the World Bank World Development Indicators. In 2021 the figure was US$0.56 billion.

Remittances are money sent home by Tanzanians working abroad and other transfers between households. Secondary income inflows were US$1,098.0 million in the year to August 2026, according to the Bank of Tanzania Monthly Economic Review.

Official sources: World Bank: personal remittances received, Tanzania · Bank of Tanzania: Monthly Economic Review, September 2026 (PDF)

What share of Tanzania's population are immigrants?

0.7%: that is the share of people born abroad in Tanzania for 2024, according to the UN Population Division. It is 41st highest of 48 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 2.2%. Of 193 countries with 2024 data, 161st highest.

What is net migration in Tanzania?

In 2025, net migration in Tanzania was -12,730, according to the UN Population Division. Since 2005 it has ranged from -324,478 (2009) to 201,495 (2015). Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was -5,646, and Tanzania placed 33rd highest of 48. Worldwide: 137th of 193.

How many refugees does Tanzania host?

The latest figure from UNHCR, for 2025, is 171,142. The peak was 548,824 in 2005 and the low 88,492 in 2014. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 35,241, and Tanzania placed 12th highest of 45. Worldwide: 38th of 169.

How many refugees have fled Tanzania?

1,592: that is the number of refugees from the country living abroad in Tanzania for 2025, according to UNHCR. Since 2005 it has ranged from 579 (2016) to 1,665 (2006). It is 32nd highest of 48 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 12,726. World rank, highest first: 97th of 189.

How big are remittances in Tanzania's economy?

According to the World Bank, personal remittances received in Tanzania was 1.4% of GDP in 2024. Its high point since 2005 was 2023, at 1.6% of GDP; its low point was 2006, at 0.1% of GDP. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 2.5% of GDP, and Tanzania placed 25th highest of 36. Worldwide: 92nd of 156.