How Namibian immigration works: visas, permits and who decides

Every foreigner needs the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security (the Ministry) to approve their entry and stay in Namibia. A visa lets a person enter and stay for a short, fixed period, and a permit lets a person live in Namibia for longer to work, study or settle.

Which law decides what you need?

The Immigration Control Act 7 of 1993 sets the rule in section 24. Permanent residence needs a permanent residence permit. Temporary residence to work, run a business or practise a profession needs an employment permit, and study needs a student's permit. Any other purpose, such as a holiday, needs a visitor's entry permit.

What are the main routes?

1. Visitor or holiday visa: tourism, family visits and meetings, up to 90 days a year, no work.
2. Business visa: business meetings and negotiations for a foreign company, up to 90 days, no work.
3. Short term work visa: paid or unpaid work of up to 6 months.
4. Employment permit: work for a Namibian employer for longer than 6 months, issued per year and renewable.
5. Temporary residence permit for a spouse or child of a permit holder.
6. Investor or self employed permit, issued for the period the Immigration Selection Board sets.
7. Study permit for learners and students.
8. Permanent residence permit.
9. Digital nomad visa for remote workers employed outside Namibia, applied for through NIPDB and issued by the Ministry.

Which rules decide most applications?

1. Nobody works on a visitor or holiday visa. Even a few days of paid or unpaid work needs a work visa or a permit.
2. A work visa or permit is tied to one employer and one job. A change of employer needs a new application, approved before the new job starts. An applicant without legal status in Namibia must remain outside Namibia until the permit is issued.
3. For long term work the Namibian employer is assessed as closely as the person. It must be registered and in good standing with the Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA), Social Security and the Employment Equity Commission.
4. The employer must show that no Namibian can do the job. This is the labour market test.
5. Every document must be in English, certified and consistent. One mismatch is enough for a refusal.
6. Family members each need their own application and pay their own fee.

What to prepare

Before choosing a route, answer these five questions:

1. What is the person's nationality, and where do they live?
2. What will they do in Namibia, for whom, and will they be paid?
3. For how long, and from which date?
4. Who is the Namibian employer or host, and is it registered, trading and up to date with NamRA and Social Security?
5. Is anyone coming with them, such as a spouse or children?

Frequently asked questions

Does every foreigner need a visa to enter Namibia?

No. Nationals of countries with a visa exemption agreement with Namibia enter as visitors without a visa and pay no visitor fee. Since 2025-04-01 the countries on the Ministry's reciprocity list, including most of Europe, the United Kingdom and the United States, need a visitor visa, before travel or on arrival. Work always needs a work visa or permit, whatever the nationality.

When are government fees paid?

Only on approval, before the visa or permit is issued. A handling fee of N$80 is paid when an application is handed in and is not refundable.

Who decides an employment permit?

The Immigration Selection Board, which the Minister appoints with 5 to 7 members (section 25 of the Act).

We map your situation to the right route, then prepare and lodge the file for you. Contact Andersen in Namibia: WhatsApp +264 81 315 7942, info@na.andersen.com, +264 61 402520 or na.andersen.com.