Namibia digital nomad visa & residency (2026)

The Digital Nomad Visa (DNV) was officially launched on 11 October 2022; the first approvals were granted on 14 February 2023. It grants a single stay of up to six months and cannot be extended, but holders may reapply no sooner than 12 months after their previous visa expired.

Applicants must prove a minimum monthly income of USD 2,000 from foreign sources (employer payslip or self-employment/freelance contract). Accompanying spouses must show an additional USD 1,000/month and each accompanying child USD 500/month.

Applications are submitted by email to NIPDB ([email protected]) with a motivation letter (NIPDB-issued), proof of income, police clearance, medical and radiological certificates, travel insurance, and completed MHAISS form 3-1/0033. A visa fee of NAD 3,300 (approx. USD 180) is collected on arrival in Namibia; processing typically takes 2–3 weeks.

From March 2025 the MHAISS fully launched its e-Visa and e-Visa-on-Arrival (e-VoA) portal. From 1 April 2025, 33 previously visa-exempt nationalities became subject to mandatory visa requirements; from October 2025, e-VoA eligibility was extended to an additional 36 nationalities.

Foreign nationals who acquire at least 10% of shares in a new or existing Namibian company qualify for a five-year renewable residence permit and work authorisation via the Business Investment / Investor Permit route administered by MHAISS. A specific real-estate-linked pathway exists at the President's Links Estate in Walvis Bay (property purchase USD 316,000–365,000), after which permanent residence may be sought after seven years of maintained investment.

Standard permanent residence is available after 10 years of lawful residence in qualifying categories. A separately planned 'Desert Visa Programme' (an investment-linked golden visa) was announced but, as of 2025, had not received final Cabinet approval and remained inactive.