For a foreign national taking employment in Zambia for more than six months where the employer documents the role, qualifications and succession arrangements.
Zambia
Zambia sits in Eastern Africa. Its immigration system runs 23 distinct routes — led by family, residence-based status and short stay & visit, each set out in official law. All 23 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
- 23across 12 route categories, each set out in official law
- Source-cited routes
- 23 of 23cite an official government source, with the date we last read it
- Largest category
- Family4 of the 23 routes — see them under Family below
- Region
- Eastern Africa
- Capital
- Lusaka
- Population
- 21,913,874
- Official language
- English
- Currency
- ZMW
- Time zone
- UTC+02:00
Immigration routes
All 23 routes, grouped by purpose — 23 of 23 cite an official government source directly.
Work
2 routes
For a business visitor undertaking documented short-term work in Zambia for more than thirty days and no more than six months in twelve.
Investment
1 route
For an adult foreign investor establishing a new Zambia business with at least USD 250,000 or joining an existing company with at least USD 150,000.
Business & self-employment
1 route
For a neighbouring-country resident or regional-grouping national who belongs to a recognised cross-border traders association.
Study
1 route
For a foreign national undertaking full-time or part-time study in Zambia for more than three months.
Family
4 routes
For a dependant of foreign origin who is under the care of a Zambian citizen.
For a dependant aged twenty-one or younger of a valid Residence Permit holder or established resident.
For the foreign spouse of a Zambian citizen, established resident or permanent resident.
For a parent or foreparent of an Employment or Investor Permit holder, or a dependant over eighteen, during the sponsor permit's validity.
Independent means
1 route
For a person intending to retire in Zambia who proves sufficient funds through a pension, irrevocable annuity or retirement account.
Residence-based status
4 routes
For a person who has held a Zambia Employment Permit continuously for more than ten years.
For a person who has held a Zambia Investor's Permit for more than three years.
For a holder of the legacy Entry Permit who has reasonable and justifiable grounds for a delayed change to residence status.
For a person who has held a Zambia Spouse Permit for at least five years.
Short stay & visit
4 routes
For a tourist making a visit of less than twenty-four hours through an eligible Victoria Falls or Kazungula port.
For a qualifying tourist visiting both Zambia and Zimbabwe through the KAZA joint-visa arrangement.
For an ordinary visitor who needs to remain in Zambia beyond the first ninety visitor days.
For a visa-required foreign national making a temporary visit to Zambia without taking employment.
Humanitarian protection
1 route
For a person seeking asylum in Zambia while the competent protection authorities determine the claim.
Ancestry & return
1 route
For a person of any age who was born to a Zambian citizen.
Transit
2 routes
For a commercial truck driver or crew member who has exhausted the ordinary ninety business-visit days and needs continued transit operations.
For a visa-required foreign national travelling overland through Zambia to another country.
Other & special
1 route
For a prohibited immigrant, a person directed by the Minister, or a person awaiting the outcome of an immigration appeal.
Official sources
- Department of ImmigrationGovernment
- ZambiaLIIGovernment
- Citizenship Rights in Africa InitiativeGovernment
- ConstituteGovernment
See which Zambia routes you actually qualify for.
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