An application for a permanent residence permit in Namibia can be submitted after ten years of legal residence in the country. There are several applications that fall under permanent resident status. Legal status for 10 years means that you have either been authorized to work for ten years, or have been married and have an ID for 10 years, or have had a study permit or temporary residence permit for 10 years. Another way to apply is through naturalization.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Application form (3-1/0039)
• Visa application form (3-1/0033)
• Application form for permanent residence
• Declaration form
• Medical reference
• Radiological certificate
• Copy of marriage/divorce/death certificate or letter
• Copy of travel document or passport
• A copy of the birth certificate
• Two passport photos
• Original police clearance from the country of origin (certified copy is not accepted)
• Certificates of higher education and professional training
• Detailed resume
• Copies of financial statements (for two years)
• Confirmation of having sufficient funds to support yourself during your stay in Namibia. Either a bank guarantee or a letter from a guardian/family member in support of the application.
• If you are a pensioner, you must submit proof of the amount of the pension.
• In the case of minors - a letter from the relevant educational institution.
• Written consent from both parents for applicants under 21 years of age
• Contract of guarantee
• Certificate from the Namibian Police (certified copy is not accepted)
• A power of attorney authorizing Fishmar t/a Intergate Namibia Immigration to act on your behalf.

PROCESSING TIME: 180 days from the date of submission of the application

Qualified period: after five years of legal residence.

Necessary documents:

• A copy of the permanent residence permit
• Certificate of passing police control in the country of origin and Namibia 
• Medical opinion
• A letter from the recipient of income confirming the period of residence
• Two characteristics (letters from friends who have known you for more than 2 years) 
• Job description of you and your spouse 
• Copy of Namibian ID if you have one 
• Copy of birth certificate.

The purchase of real estate is not a basis for granting or extending a residence permit in Namibia.

Foreigners wishing to purchase or open a new business in Namibia, work and live in Namibia must apply for an investor visa.

Requirements for obtaining an investor visa

Current requirements are: a minimum investment of N$2 million, a business plan outlining the intended activities or services to be carried out in Namibia, ideally a skills transfer plan for Namibian employees, and qualifications relevant to the business you are planning to invest in. Depending on the sector, registration with professional bodies, such as the Ministry of Health for health professionals, may be required.

The above-mentioned minimum investment amount is not absolute, it can be reduced depending on the sector in which a foreign citizen wants to invest.

According to the current practice, the investor permit is issued for a period of two years, and only after the investor has lived in Namibia for at least five years, it is possible to apply for a permanent residence permit. Compared to other countries, these two years are quite short.

The Namibian Investment Center plans to issue investor visas for five years in the future, instead of the current two years. So far, there is no clear indication of when such a change could be implemented.

An application for an investor visa to Namibia is submitted to the investment center, in some cases it can also be submitted to the Namibian embassy in the applicant's country of residence. The decision is taken by the investment center. There is no second stage in the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Currently, the term for issuing a temporary residence permit is 3 to 4 months.

Although a longer period of temporary stay is in the interests of most investors, most of them are interested in applying for a permanent residence permit.

A permanent residency provides security against future changes in legislation and makes practical life much easier. Therefore, it is often asked under what circumstances it is possible to apply for permanent residency earlier than after 5 years.

Issuance of a permit based on reaching retirement age is not provided for.