Namibia Introduces New Employment Permit for Investors

• Namibia announced a new investor employment permit that will go into effect beginning September 1, 2026.  

New Employment Permit for Investors 

Namibia’s Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security (MHAISS) has announced that a new Employment Permit to Conduct Business will take effect on September 1, 2026. 

What Is Changing? 

The government introduced the new permit specifically for qualifying investors and businesspersons as part of its efforts to streamline investment-related immigration processes.

Key features include:

• Authorities may issue the permit for up to five years, compared with the standard two-year validity period for most employment permits.
• The permit serves as the holder’s work authorization.
• Only individuals whose investor status the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB) has confirmed, or will confirm, may use the new application process.
• Applicants who do not qualify as investors must continue to use the existing Employment Permit application process.

Application Process 

Applicants must submit all applications through the NIPDB. The NIPDB conducts an economic evaluation and investment impact assessment before forwarding eligible applications to the Chief of Immigration for review by the Immigration Selection Board (ISB).

Fees 

Approved applicants will be required to pay a fee of NAD 2,600, which is the same fee charged for a General Employment Permit. 

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