Permits & Visas for Namibia

Who needs what?

• Work Visa (≤ 6 months): Short-term work assignments; must be approved before entry. Typical processing 15–20 working days.
  
• Employment Work Permit (1–3 years): Take up employment for longer than 6 months; typical processing 3–4 months.
  
• Investor Permit (Self-Employed): Set up/run your own business; requires appropriate entity setup and often a Certificate of Status Investment.
  
• Study Permit: Required for all international students, issued before entry; work is restricted unless explicitly allowed. Spouses/dependants can accompany.
  
• Spouse Permit: For spouses of Namibian citizens; temporary status with limited entitlements (separate permit usually needed to work). Note on citizenship after long residence/marriage per site guidance.
  
• Travel Visas (Tourist/Business/Transit): Short stays; some nationalities are visa-exempt; passport validity and blank-page rules apply; extensions possible (typically up to 3 months).
  
• Permanent Residency: Case-by-case; document-heavy; varies by your situation (employment, retirement, investment, descent etc.).

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Benefits of being correctly documented

• Work & do business legally (work permit or investor permit)
  
• Study without interruption (study permit issued prior to entry)
  
• Bring family (spouse/dependants options exist across statuses)
  
• Travel smoothly (know if you’re visa-exempt; extend lawfully if eligible)

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Requirements (what documents to expect)

Common items across categories (exact lists vary):

• Work Visa (≤ 6 months): Application before entry; motivation letter, CV, qualifications, police clearance, radiological report, deed of surety, complete passport copies.
  
• Employment Work Permit (1–3 years): Individual docs above plus employer bundle (offer letter, motivation, proof of local advertising, deed of surety; sometimes union comments/sector registrations).
  
• Investor Permit: Entity setup (company or close corporation), and typically Certificate of Status Investment details (business plan, staffing/training, funding). Then self-employed work-permit application.
  
• Study Permit: Admission letter, passport copies, academic record; issued prior to entry; employment restricted unless endorsed.

Travel Visa:

Application form, photos, tickets/accommodation; business visitors add employer/sponsor letters; check exemptions list. Passport must have a blank page and 6-month validity after departure.

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How it works

• Check eligibility & route (work visa vs. work permit vs. investor/study/spouse/travel/PR)
  
• Gather documents (see requirements above)
  
• Apply before entry (for most categories, especially work & study)
  
• Wait for adjudication (see typical timelines below)
  
• Travel & compliance (enter with the right status; follow any work/study limits; renew/extend if needed)

Timelines & validity

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Relocation support

Airport arrival assistance, home rentals, bank account setups, insurance recommendations, school selection, and pet transport-to help you settle and focus on work sooner.