Namibia Permanent Residence

Permanent residence grants foreign nationals the legal right to live in Namibia indefinitely. To be eligible, applicants must have lawfully resided in the country for a specified period or meet alternative qualifying criteria such as retirement or investment.

Who Is Eligible for Namibian Permanent Residence?

There are several pathways to apply for a Namibian Permanent Residence Permit:

• Naturalised residents: Individuals who have held a valid Namibian work permit and continuously resided in the country for at least 10 years.
• Business investors: Foreign nationals who have actively operated a registered business in Namibia for more than five years under a valid work permit. Learn more about the Namibia Investment Visa.
• Retirees: Applicants aged 60 and above who can demonstrate sufficient financial means to reside in Namibia without employment. Note that Namibia does not offer temporary residence permits for retirees—only permanent residence is available under this category.
• Spouses and minor children: Eligible dependants of permanent residence applicants may also qualify. Adult children aged 21 and above must submit independent applications.

Financial Requirements for Retirement-Based Applications

The Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security (MHAISS) expects applicants seeking permanent residence on the basis of retirement to demonstrate a minimum net investment value of N$4 million. This may comprise a combination of assets, bank holdings, and other financial resources, a portion of which should already be invested in Namibia.

There is no fixed financial threshold is prescribed in legislation.

Last updated: 05/08/2025

Note: Applications for Namibian Permanent Residence Permits are assessed on merit. Requirements vary depending on whether you are employed in Namibia, an investor, a retiree, or applying under another status. However, some core documents and criteria apply to all applicants, regardless of category.

General Requirements for a Namibian Permanent Residence Permit

• Completed Application for a Permanent Residence Permit.
• Signed Declaration Form.
• Original Medical Certificate and Radiological Report issued by a certified practitioner.
• Certified copies of all relevant civil documents, such as birth, marriage, divorce, and death certificates (as applicable).
• Copy of valid passport bio-data page.
• Two recent passport-sized photographs.
• Police clearance certificates from both your country of origin and from Namibia.
• Highest academic qualification and/or professional training certificates.
• Motivational letter outlining your reasons for applying for permanent residence in Namibia.
• Detailed Curriculum Vitae (not required for retirees).
• Latest employment contract (not required for retirees).
• Proof of registration as a taxpayer in Namibia (Taxpayer Certificate).
• Reference letters and testimonials from current and/or previous employers, colleagues, or other professional contacts.
• Evidence of sufficient financial means to support yourself in Namibia, which may include:
  • Six months’ bank statements (local and foreign accounts).
  • Retirement or pension fund documentation.
  • Investment portfolios or policies.
  • Audited business financial statements.
  • Bank-issued financial guarantee letters.
  • Proof of property ownership in Namibia and/or abroad.
• Letter from a recognised educational institution (for minors only).
• Written consent from both parents or legal guardians for applicants under the age of 21.
• Deed of Surety signed by a responsible party.
• If applying via a third party, a completed Power of Attorney Form.
• Company registration and compliance documents (for business investor applications).
• Proof of valid legal residence status if currently living in Namibia.

The government processing fee for a Namibian Permanent Residence Permit is N$20,000. This fee is payable only upon approval of your application by the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Estimated exchange rate: 1 NAD ≈ 0.0564 USD (based on daily mid‑July values, ranging from 0.0559 to 0.0570). Please verify the exact rate on the day of payment to avoid discrepancies.

The processing time for a Namibian Permanent Residence Permit typically ranges between 6 to 12 months from the date of submission. However, this timeline can vary based on the applicant’s profile, documentation accuracy, and internal workflows at the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Applications submitted with incomplete or incorrectly certified documents may experience significant delays. It is therefore recommended to prepare your application thoroughly and allow for sufficient time when planning your move or long-term stay in Namibia.

Applicants will be notified in writing once a decision has been made. Government processing fees are only payable upon official approval of the application.

Applications for Permanent Residence in Namibia must be submitted directly to the Ministry of Home Affairs in Windhoek. You do not need to appear in person—an authorised immigration representative may submit your application using a signed Power of Attorney form.

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility

You must qualify under one of the following categories:

• Naturalised resident with at least 10 years of lawful residence on a work permit.
• Business investor who has operated a registered Namibian business on a valid permit for at least five years.
• Retiree aged 60 or older with a financial investment value of at least N$4 million.

Step 2: Prepare Documentation

Gather all required documents, including:

• Certified copies of identity and status documents.
• Police clearance certificates (from your home country and Namibia).
• Proof of financial resources (bank statements, property deeds, investments, etc.).
• Medical and radiological certificates, motivational letter, and completed application forms.

Step 3: Complete Application Forms

Fill in the official Permanent Residence Application Form and the Declaration Form. Ensure all information is accurate and consistent with your supporting documents.

Step 4: Authorise Representation (Optional)

If a representative is submitting on your behalf, complete a Power of Attorney form to allow submission through a registered immigration consultant.

Step 5: Submit Application

Lodge the application pack at the Ministry of Home Affairs in Windhoek. All documents must be submitted in English and certified where required. Submission may be done in person or through an authorised party.

Step 6: Application Processing

Applications are reviewed for completeness and eligibility. The average processing time is between 6 to 12 months, depending on the applicant’s status and supporting evidence.

Step 7: Receive Outcome & Pay Government Fee

If approved, you will be notified and must pay a once-off government fee of N$20,000. As of July 2025, this equals approximately USD $1,070, based on an exchange rate of N$18.70 to USD $1.

Step 8: Enter Namibia (if abroad)

If you are not residing in Namibia at the time of approval, you must enter the country within six months to finalise the endorsement process.

Step 9: Passport Endorsement

Submit your main passport and proof of payment in person at the Ministry of Home Affairs. Your Permanent Residence certificate and visa endorsement sticker will be issued within approximately 2–3 weeks. This endorsement remains valid until the passport itself expires.

Important: To maintain your Permanent Residence status, you must enter Namibia at least once every two years. Failure to do so may lead to revocation of your status.

Disclaimer

At IBN Immigration Solutions, we adhere to Google’s standards for transparency. As a private immigration firm, we follow the regulations outlined in the Immigration Act of Namibia. We are not affiliated with the Namibian Government. Our clients pay for our expertise in handling applications for both temporary and permanent residency. While forms required during the process can be obtained for free at any Namibian Ministry of Home Affairs office, we also provide them as part of our service. Those who prefer to deal directly with the Namibian Ministry of Home Affairs can visit their website at https://mha.gov.na/