For qualified employment, business, professional or occupational activity in Namibia beyond the short-term work period.
Eligibility: 1Documents: 1Process & costs: 4Report facts: 9
Southern Africa · Immigration
Namibia
Namibia sits in Southern Africa. Its immigration system runs 11 distinct routes — led by work, study and family, each set out in official law. 10 of them cite an official government source, shown on the route with the date we last read it. Who actually qualifies depends on your full profile.
- Immigration routes
- 11across 8 route categories, each set out in official law
- Source-cited routes
- 10 of 11cite an official government source, with the date we last read it
- Largest category
- Work2 of the 11 routes — see them under Work below
- Region
- Southern Africa
- Capital
- Windhoek
- Population
- 3,092,816
- Official language
- Afrikaans, German · +7
- Currency
- NAD
- Time zone
- UTC+01:00
Source-cited pathways
Immigration routes
All 11 routes, grouped by purpose — 10 of 11 cite an official government source directly. Any route below without one says so on the route.
Work
2 routes
For a foreign worker undertaking a documented Namibian assignment for no more than six months.
Eligibility: 1Documents: 3Process & costs: 4Report facts: 8
Official government source: eservices.mhaiss.gov.na · checked 2026-07-26
Study
2 routes
For a foreign learner admitted to an approved primary or secondary educational institution in Namibia.
Can bring: spouse, dependants, children
Eligibility: 2Documents: 2Process & costs: 2Report facts: 7
For a foreign student admitted to an approved tertiary institution in Namibia.
Can bring: spouse, dependants, children
Eligibility: 2Documents: 2Process & costs: 2Report facts: 7
Family
2 routes
For the accompanying or co-resident spouse or dependent child of an employment-permit holder.
Process & costs: 3Report facts: 6
For the accompanying or co-resident spouse or dependent child of a student-permit holder.
Process & costs: 3Report facts: 6
Remote work and digital nomads
1 route
— No eligibility summary published for this route yet
Income from USD 2,000/mo
Eligibility: 4Documents: 1Process & costs: 3Report facts: 9
Official government source: nipdb.com · checked 2026-08-21
Long-term residence
1 route
For a person who satisfies Namibia's character, integration, welfare, means or skills and labour-market tests, or a qualifying supported close family member of a permanent resident.
Eligibility: 2Process & costs: 3Report facts: 10
Short stays and visits
1 route
For a temporary non-work visit such as a holiday, family visit, meeting, workshop, business exploration or medical visit.
Documents: 3Process & costs: 1Report facts: 7
Official government source: mhaiss.gov.na · checked 2026-07-26
Humanitarian protection
1 route
For a person seeking international protection in Namibia because return to the country of origin is unsafe.
Process & costs: 1Report facts: 4
Source pending confirmation: rimap.unhcr.org · checked 2026-07-26
Special cases
1 route
For a temporary-residence purpose not covered by the published employment, student or short-term work services, subject to direct authority assessment.
Eligibility: 1Process & costs: 2Report facts: 4
Official government source: mhaiss.gov.na · checked 2026-07-26
Official sources
- MHAISS Home Affairs ImmigrationGovernment
See which Namibia routes you actually qualify for.
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