Namibia employment permit and work visa

The Embassy of Namibia in Berlin warns that visitors travelling to work at a subsidiary company, give training to local staff, audit their companies or do volunteer work of any kind must apply for an employment permit or work visa under section 27 of the Immigration Control Act, regardless of whether their country is visa-exempt. A visitor's entry permit or tourist visa never allows employment.

Two routes exist. Short-term employment or work visas of up to three months are applied for online on the MHAISS eServices portal. Work of more than six months must follow the employment permit requirements. Investors whose status is confirmed by NIPDB can instead apply for the five-year Employment Permit to Conduct a Business, and remote workers for foreign employers use the digital nomad visa.

The ministry asks for the application form, a certified copy of the passport data page and a motivation letter from the applicant, inviter or employer. Work applications add a motivation letter explaining, among other things, why a Namibian or a Namibian service provider cannot be hired; proof that the post or service was advertised in local newspapers, with the list of unsuccessful shortlisted Namibian candidates or service providers; proof of educational qualifications; and the tender or contract. For six-month applications, an original police clearance certificate from the country of origin and medical and radiological reports are also required. All copies must be certified.

The ministry's fee schedule lists NAD 2,600 for an employment permit, for a first application or an extension, per year, and NAD 1,100 for a short-term employment permit or employment visa, for a first application or extension of up to 90 days a year. An accompanying spouse and dependent children receive a temporary residence permit under section 28(5) of the Act at NAD 1,600 a year. An appeal against a visa or permit decision costs NAD 200.

For work of up to three months, apply online at eservices.mhaiss.gov.na; applicants who have problems with the system can write to PA.ED@mhss.gov.na. Each short-term visa is limited to 90 days. Upon approval, the applicant submits the passport together with the original receipt of payment. Employment permits are decided through the ministry's Immigration Selection Board; a general employment permit is usually issued for two years, as NIPDB notes when comparing it with the five-year investor permit.

The Department of Immigration Control and Citizenship can be reached at Namibia.Immigration@mha.gov.na. The ministry is at the corner of Hosea Kutako Drive and Harvey Street, Windhoek (081 951 1000). Namibian missions such as the Embassy in Berlin direct short-term work visa applicants to the online system.