ZambiaLiving from your own income
Explore the five recorded questions, answers and sources for this pathway.
This route is for retirees: a foreigner who has the intention to retire in Zambia and shows proof of sufficient funds (pension, irrevocable annuity, retirement account).
has intention to retire in Zambia and showing proof of sufficient funds (pension, irrevocable annuity, retirement account);
Under the immigration law the Department of Immigration describes as currently in force (the Immigration and Deportation Act, 2010, as read with the Immigration and Deportation (Amendment) Act, 2016), the applicant must prove either a right to a pension or irrevocable annuity or retirement account from which a prescribed minimum payment is received for the rest of the person's life, or a minimum prescribed net worth together with payment of a prescribed amount into an account in Zambia. The Department of Immigration checklist asks for proof of funds (bank statement) and proof of permanent pension (irrevocable annuity) or retirement account. The Immigration Control Act, 2026, assented on 31 March 2026, repeals the Immigration and Deportation Act and comes into operation on a date the Minister appoints by statutory instrument; it lists a right to a pension, an irrevocable annuity, income or retirement account paying a prescribed minimum payment for the rest of the person's life, or a minimum prescribed net worth with a prescribed amount paid into an account in the Republic. The checked official sources do not state whether the 2026 Act has come into operation, or the prescribed amounts.
The Immigration Law currently in force is the Immigration and Deportation Act number 18 of 2010 as read with the Immigration and Deportation (Amendment) Act number 19 of 2016.
please provide proof that you have a right to a pension or irrevocable annuity
or retirement account from which you receive a prescribed minimum payment for the rest of your life or that you
have a minimum prescribed net worth and have paid a prescribed amount in an account in Zambia
Proof of funds (bank statement);
Proof of permanent pension (irrevocable annuity) or retirement account;
Date of Assent: 31st March, 2026
and shall come into operation on the date that the Minister may, by
78. (1) The Immigration and Deportation Act is repealed.
(i) right to a pension, an irrevocable annuity, income
or retirement account from which the person
receives a prescribed minimum payment for
the rest of that person’s life; or
(ii) minimum prescribed net worth and has paid a
prescribed amount in an account in the Republic.
Answer not available
The holder must comply with the conditions specified in the residence permit and may not engage for gain in any activity, business, trade, employment, profession, study or other thing not specified in the permit. Family: a dependant aged 21 or below of a Residence Permit holder may be issued a Residence Permit, children can be added by variation of the permit, and the spouse of a Residence Permit holder may receive a Spouse Permit. These rules come from the Immigration and Deportation Act, 2010, as read with the 2016 amendment, which the Department of Immigration describes as the law currently in force. The Immigration Control Act, 2026, assented on 31 March 2026, repeals the Immigration and Deportation Act and comes into operation on a date the Minister appoints by statutory instrument; the checked official sources do not state whether it has come into operation.
The holder of a residence 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 residence permit.
is a dependant (who is 21 years old or below) of someone with a valid Residence Permit or an established resident;
Requirements for variation by addition of Children
A Spouse Permit is issued to the spouse of a: Zambian Citizen; an established resident holding a Certificate of Status as an Established Resident; and a Residence Permit holder.
The Immigration Law currently in force is the Immigration and Deportation Act number 18 of 2010 as read with the Immigration and Deportation (Amendment) Act number 19 of 2016.
Date of Assent: 31st March, 2026
and shall come into operation on the date that the Minister may, by
78. (1) The Immigration and Deportation Act is repealed.
The Residence Permit confers permanent residence. It ceases to be valid if the holder fails to enter Zambia within six months of issue (or a later endorsed date), is absent for more than six months without notifying the Director-General of Immigration in writing, or is absent for any period in excess of twelve months. The official source does not state a renewal rule.
A Residence Permit confers permanent residence to a holder
A residence permit shall cease to be valid if the holder— (a) fails to enter Zambia within six months of the date of issue of the permit or such later date as the DirectorGeneral of Immigration may endorse on the residence permit; (b) is absent from Zambia for a period in excess of six months without notifying the Director-General of Immigration, in writing, that that person proposes to return to Zambia; or (c) is absent from Zambia for any period in excess of twelve months.
These are the answers currently recorded in the catalogue. A missing or partial answer is not an eligibility decision.
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