For qualified employment, business, professional or occupational activity in Namibia beyond the short-term work period.
Namibia
Namibia sits in Southern Africa. Its immigration system runs 11 distinct routes — led by work, study and family, each set out in official law. 10 of them cite an official government source, shown on the route with the date we last read it. Who actually qualifies depends on your full profile.
- Immigration routes
- 11across 8 route categories, each set out in official law
- Source-cited routes
- 10 of 11cite an official government source, with the date we last read it
- Largest category
- Work2 of the 11 routes — see them under Work below
- Region
- Southern Africa
- Capital
- Windhoek
- Population
- 3,092,816
- Official language
- Afrikaans, German · +7
- Currency
- NAD
- Time zone
- UTC+01:00
Immigration routes
All 11 routes, grouped by purpose — 10 of 11 cite an official government source directly. Any route below without one says so on the route.
Work
2 routes
For a foreign worker undertaking a documented Namibian assignment for no more than six months.
Study
2 routes
For a foreign learner admitted to an approved primary or secondary educational institution in Namibia.
For a foreign student admitted to an approved tertiary institution in Namibia.
Family
2 routes
For the accompanying or co-resident spouse or dependent child of an employment-permit holder.
For the accompanying or co-resident spouse or dependent child of a student-permit holder.
Digital nomad
1 route
— No eligibility summary published for this route yet
Residence-based status
1 route
For a person who satisfies Namibia's character, integration, welfare, means or skills and labour-market tests, or a qualifying supported close family member of a permanent resident.
Short stay & visit
1 route
For a temporary non-work visit such as a holiday, family visit, meeting, workshop, business exploration or medical visit.
Humanitarian protection
1 route
For a person seeking international protection in Namibia because return to the country of origin is unsafe.
Other & special
1 route
For a temporary-residence purpose not covered by the published employment, student or short-term work services, subject to direct authority assessment.
Official sources
- MHAISS Home Affairs ImmigrationGovernment
- MHAISS E-Services PortalGovernment
- NIPDB Investment BoardGovernment
See which Namibia routes you actually qualify for.
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