Zimbabwe investor residence permit

ZIDA describes three routes: a general investment, in which a foreign investor may own up to 100% of a private business; a public-private partnership with the government, a local authority or a state enterprise; and a business in a special economic zone. For the general route, the first-time General Investment Licence needs the ZIDA 1 application form, company registration documents including the memorandum and articles of association and the official list of shareholders or directors, a non-refundable application fee of USD 577.50 and a licence fee of USD 4,620 on approval. ZIDA says licences are issued within seven working days.

Company registration comes before the licence. A private limited company needs a name search on the government e-services portal, at least two and at most 50 directors, a shareholders list, a business address and the company objects. A foreign company lodges its charter or articles, with a certified translation if not in English, and forms CR5, CR6 and CR25, and pays a flat fee of USD 1,100.

The investor residence permit is for foreign nationals who bring capital or equipment into a Zimbabwean business. The department does not publish a fixed minimum on its permit page; instead it assesses the project proposal, the funds available for transfer and the equipment to be imported, together with the company's registration and investment licence.

Form I.F.5, a letter to the Chief Director of Immigration, a certified passport bio page, two certified photos, the project proposal, a police clearance from the country of origin or last permanent residence not older than six months, a radiological certificate, banking history from the country of origin, proof of funds available for transfer, proof of equipment to be imported, passports and permits of other foreign stakeholders, a list of expatriate and local employees, and company documents: CR6, CR12, CR14, the investment licence and ZIMRA tax clearance.

The initial investor residence permit costs USD 500 plus USD 300 per dependant and is non-refundable. The fee table lists USD 1,000 for an investor's permanent residence permit, compared with USD 500 for non-investors.

Documents from outside Zimbabwe must be notarised in the prescribed manner, Zimbabwean copies certified by a Commissioner of Oaths, and all translations must be in English, with originals presented.

Renewing or amending the General Investment Licence costs USD 3,000, paid on submission, with a letter to ZIDA’s chief executive, a progress report on the location, activity, investment made and jobs created, proof of investment such as bank letters or ZIMRA import documents, three months of company bank statements, an employee list, two years of financial statements with two-year projections, a current tax clearance and an NSSA clearance letter. The licence gives access to ZIDA’s One Stop Investment Services Centre, where 12 ministries, departments and agencies help with residence and work permits and other approvals.