Employment Permit

An Employment Permit is issued to a foreigner who enters the country to take up employment for a period exceeding six (06) months.

1) Employed by the Government of Zambia or a statutory body; 2) Employed by the private sector, Non-Governmental Organisations (including a person employed as a volunteer) or a religious organization; and

only an Employer, a Practising Lawyer and an Immigration Consult can apply for Employment Permits on behalf of a prospective expatriate. The individual expatriate cannot do this on their own.

Registration certificate from the relevant professional body in Zambia (where required);

Certified copy of qualifications (academic, professional);

Copy of succession plan which shall include an understudy training program to be conducted by the foreign national to transfer knowledge and/or skills to the Zambian worker;

Original Press advertisements which have appeared in two leading newspapers in A5 size. Name of Newspaper and date of advert should be clearly visible on the press advert and outcome of selection exercise must also be submitted;

The permit authorises the holder to enter and re-enter into and to remain within Zambia until the permit expires.

1. The holder of a an Employment Permit shall comply with the conditions specified in the permit and shall not engage, for gain, in any activity, business, trade, employment, profession, study or any other thing not specified in the permit

2. The holder must observe conditions such as the area within which the holder may engage in employment and the nature of the employment in which the holder may engage.

3. A holder of an Employment Permit cannot buy land. 4. A holder of an Employment Permit cannot engage in studies at any institution of learning in Zambia.

3) The spouse and children, over twenty one years, of a foreigner may be issued with Employment Permits if they are to be employed in the family business.

Requirements for variation by Addition of Children and/or Spouse

It can be extended for periods up to a maximum of 10 years.

Requirements for renewal /extension Covering letter to the Director General of Immigration from concerned employer; Extended contract; Certified copy of valid passport (bio data & last endorsement stamp for Zambia); and Prescribed fee.

A Residence Permit confers permanent residence to a holder and is issued to a foreigner who: has held an Employment Permit for a continuous period exceeding ten (10) years;