Namibia: New Investor and Business Owner Permit Introduced

Effective September 1, 2026, Namibia’s Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security (MHISS) will introduce an ‘Employment Permit to Conduct Business’, a new immigration pathway for qualifying foreign investors and business owners. The permit will allow holders to work and conduct business in Namibia for up to five years, whereas the current Investor Permit is generally issued for up to two years. As part of the application process, applicants must manually submit their applications through the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB). The NIPDB will assess the proposed investment and its potential economic impact before forwarding eligible applications to the Chief of Immigration for a final decision by the Immigration Selection Board. Upon approval, applicants must pay a government fee of NAD 2,600. Foreign nationals who do not qualify for the new permit may continue to apply under the existing Investor Permit. As a result, this new permit is expected to encourage investment and support economic growth in Namibia. 

This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen.