If there is no requirement to have a local director or shareholder in Namibia, what is the process of obtaining a work permit for foreign employees?
Foreign nationals can work in Namibia if they obtain the correct authorisation. The route to obtain this depends on the duration and nature of the work. In practice, most employers choose between a short-term work visa (for brief assignments) and a longer-term employment permit (for ongoing roles).
Main routes
- Short-term work visa (up to six months): For timelimited assignments such as installations, commissioning, training, audits, or urgent project work it authorises work but is not a business/tourist visa. Typically, it is single entry and timebound.
- Employment permit (longer term, commonly one to two years, renewable): For ongoing employment in Namibia with a Namibian employer (or a locally registered entity). This is the standard route for hiring foreign staff.
Working on a visitor or business visa is not permitted.
Process to obtain a visa
- Secure a Namibian sponsor and define the role: The local employer (or registered entity) confirms the job description, duration, location, and why foreign skills are required (skills transfer and local recruitment efforts are relevant factors).
- Select the correct authorisation: The employee must choose between a work visa or an employment permit based on the project length and their employment structure. If in doubt, they should use the longer term employment permit route.
- Prepare the application dossier. Typical documents include:
- Applicant: Valid passport, CV, qualifications/certificates, recent photos, medical report and chest Xray/radiological report, police clearance(s) from country(ies) of residence and proof of prior experience.
- Employer: Letter of motivation, signed employment contract/assignment letter (specifying the role, pay and duration), proof of registration and good standing (e.g. BIPA/SSC, tax), project description and, where relevant, evidence of local recruitment efforts and reasons local candidates were not suitable.
- Dependents (if applicable): Marriage/birth certificates, passports and proof of support/medical cover.
- File with the competent authority and pay fees: Applications are lodged through the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security (via the Namibian mission abroad or in-country, depending on status and route). Short-term work visas are often processed via Namibian embassies/consulates; employment permits are adjudicated in Namibia.
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Adjudication and outcome: Authorities assess the necessity of foreign skills, completeness and compliance. Processing times vary by route and completeness; plan for several weeks for short-term visas and longer for employment permits.
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Endorsement, entry, and start of work:
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Short-term work visa: Once issued, the person can enter Namibia and perform only the authorised work, at the stated location(s), within the validity period.
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Employment permit: Employees should collect the permit/endorsement, enter (or regularise their status if they are already in Namibia) and begin work only after the permit is granted.
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Post-approval compliance:
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Register for tax (with NamRA) and with the SSC.
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Maintain valid medical cover, keep their passport/permit valid and carry permit evidence.
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Notify authorities and, where applicable, sector regulators of changes (employer, role, location) before they occur; material changes generally require a new application or amendment.
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