Zambia investor's permit

The permit is issued to a foreigner above 18 years who intends to establish a business or invest in Zambia, has already done so, or is joining an existing company. The decisive requirement is proof of personal investment: USD 250,000 for a new business and USD 150,000 when joining an existing company, shown by bank statements, money transfers or the Zambia Revenue Authority form CE20 describing imported goods and equipment and their value.

Section 29 of the Immigration and Deportation Act links the permit to the Zambia Development Agency: the applicant either proves the prescribed investment, or holds a ZDA investment licence, and an investor joining an existing business needs a ZDA clearance letter.

A covering letter to the Director General of Immigration, the certificate of incorporation, the certificate of share capital where required, the certificate of minimum capital, the Zambia Development Agency investment licence where available, the list of directors, proof of personal investment, proof of ownership or a lease in Zambia, a certified passport copy, two photos and the fee.

To renew, provide VAT receipts or a valid tax clearance certificate from the Zambia Revenue Authority, an audit report from a firm registered with the Zambia Institute of Chartered Accountants, the lease where applicable, a current bank statement, a certified passport copy and the fee (ZMW 20,000). Immigration inspects the business after the application is submitted.

A spouse and children are added by variation with marriage or birth certificates, passport copies, photos and the fee. After holding an investor's permit for more than three years, the investor can apply for a residence permit, which confers permanent residence.

Under section 29, the investor's spouse and children over 18 may receive employment permits if they will work in the family business. Variation fees in the private-sector table are ZMW 8,000 to add a spouse or child, ZMW 20,000 to include another company or business name, and ZMW 2,000 for a change of address or passport.

The holder may conduct or supervise work in the business but may not run any business other than the one named in the permit. The Director General decides how many qualified expatriates the investor may employ, on condition that a prescribed minimum number of Zambian citizens is employed. Any change of address must be reported to the nearest immigration officer; failing to do so is an offence punishable by a fine of up to 100,000 penalty units. The permit states its period of validity and whether it can be renewed.

Under section 10 of the Immigration and Deportation Act, an immigration officer who takes a decision that adversely affects you must tell you the reasons and give you at least 48 hours to make representations; the officer then has 14 days to reply. You may appeal to the Minister of Home Affairs within 48 hours of that decision, and the Minister, after consulting the Director General, may reverse or modify it within ten days. A further appeal to a court must be lodged within 48 hours of the Minister's decision; without an appeal the decision is final.