On August 18, 2026, the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security (MHAISS) announced that the new Employment Permit to Conduct Business takes effect September 1, 2026.
According to the Ministry, the Employment Permit to Conduct Business is designed specifically for investors and business persons, and forms part of ongoing efforts to streamline investment-related processes in Namibia. The new permit may be issued for a period of up to five years, as opposed to the usual two-year period applicable to employment permits. This longer validity period is intended to provide greater certainty for investors and support long-term business planning and investment in Namibia.
The new permit will function simultaneously as work authorization.
The new application form is intended ONLY for investors whose investor status will be/has been confirmed by the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB). Applicants who do not qualify as investors for purpose of this new permit category will continue to use the existing Employment Permit application form.
All applications for an Employment Permit to Conduct Business must be submitted through the NIPDB. The NIPDB will conduct an economic evaluation and impact assessment of the proposed investment before submitting the application to the Chief of Immigration, for consideration by the Immigration Selection Board (ISB). All applications must be submitted manually.
Upon approval of an application, the applicant will be required to pay a fee of NAD 2600, which is the same fee applicable to a General Employment Permit.
The new application form and administrative directives are available at:
- The Ministry’s website: www.mha.gov.na;
- Ministry offices countrywide;
- The One Stop Service Center hosted at the BIPA Head Office in Windhoek;
- NIPDB offices.
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Erickson Immigration Group will continue to monitor developments and share updates as more news becomes available. Please contact your employer or EIG attorney if you have questions about anything we’re reporting above or if you have case-specific questions.