Zimbabwe temporary employment permit

Any foreign national who takes up employment in Zimbabwe needs a temporary employment permit; visitor visas do not allow work. The fee table also lists a short-term permit at the same USD 500 fee. Professionals must be cleared by the relevant professional authorities, and NGO employees must provide the Private Voluntary Organisation certificate from the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare.

The residence permit application form I.F.5 and the temporary employment application form, a letter to the Chief Director of Immigration, a certified passport bio page, two certified photos, a CV, the contract of employment, notarised academic and professional certificates, a radiological certificate, the advertisement placed in a local newspaper with the CVs and contact details of shortlisted candidates, the CV and qualifications of the person identified as understudy, and a police clearance from the country of origin or last permanent residence not older than six months.

The employer adds its certificate of incorporation, entity summary document, ZIDA licence and ZIMRA tax clearance. Depending on the project, a support letter from the line ministry, an EMA environmental certificate or proof of mineral remittance may be needed.

The statutory fee is USD 500 for the principal applicant plus USD 300 for each dependant, and it is non-refundable. Extensions cost the same amounts.

Companies holding a ZIDA investment licence can use the One Stop Investment Services Centre at the Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency, where officials from 12 ministries, departments and agencies, including those that handle residence and work permits, guide investors through the approvals. ZIDA lists the same temporary employment permit checklist, with company documents CR6, CR14, the ZIDA licence, the memorandum and articles of association and ZIMRA tax clearance.

The fee table also lists a temporary permit at USD 1,000 and a duplicate permit at USD 100. Under section 3 of the Immigration Act, time spent in Zimbabwe on any permit other than a residence permit does not count towards the ten years of lawful residence needed for domicile.

To extend, write to the Chief Director requesting the extension and include the current permit, the CV and qualifications of the understudy and the company documents. Accompanying family members need a marriage certificate, birth certificates, police clearance for those over 18, passport bio pages and two photos each.

Copies of documents from outside Zimbabwe must be notarised; Zimbabwean copies are certified by a Commissioner of Oaths. Translations must be in English, and applications are lodged in duplicate.