Republic of Namibia · digital nomad
Digital Nomad Visa (NIPDB)
By Sam Parks · Last reviewed:
For remote workers who earn their income from outside Namibia: this short visa, run by the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board, lets you live in Namibia for about six months while working for clients or an employer abroad - it is not a route to permanent residence.
- Processing time
- Indicative only - the NIPDB reviews the application before passing it to the Ministry of Home Affairs for the final stamp; confirm current timelines on the official NIPDB page.
- Government fees
- Indicative only - a visa fee is payable; confirm the current amount on the official NIPDB page.
- Typical duration
- A short stay of around six months; the current official position is that it is non-renewable, with reapplication only after a waiting period. It does not lead to permanent residence - confirm the latest rules on the official page.
- Sponsorship required
- No
- Leads to permanent residency
- No
Overview
If you work remotely for clients or an employer outside Namibia and want a temporary base in the country, the Digital Nomad Visa is built for you. It is run by the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB), which reviews applications and submits them to the Ministry of Home Affairs for the final stamp - so two bodies are involved, the NIPDB on the front end and Home Affairs on approval. It grants a short stay of around six months and is deliberately not a long-term or settlement route: it does not lead to permanent residence, and the current official position is that it is non-renewable, with reapplication only after a waiting period, so check the latest renewal rules before planning a longer stay. Crucially, your income must come from outside Namibia - you cannot take a local Namibian job on this visa. Good to know: applicants show a minimum monthly income from abroad, with higher figures if a spouse or children join.
Eligibility
Typical criteria
- ✓Remote work for an employer or clients based outside Namibia, with no local Namibian job.Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB) ↗
- ✓A minimum monthly income earned from outside Namibia, with higher figures if a spouse or children accompany you.Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB) ↗
- ✓An application submitted to the NIPDB, which reviews it and forwards it to the Ministry of Home Affairs for the final stamp.Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB) ↗
- ✓A valid passport and proof of income, such as payslips or an employment contract.Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB) ↗
Common blockers
- !Income that comes from a Namibian employer or local work, which this visa does not allow.Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB) ↗
- !Income below the minimum monthly figure the NIPDB expects.Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB) ↗
- !Expecting the Digital Nomad Visa to lead to permanent residence - it is short and does not.Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB) ↗
Typical evidence
- ·Proof of remote income from outside Namibia, such as payslips or an employment contract.Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB) ↗
- ·A valid passport with adequate validity.Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB) ↗
- ·Evidence of means to support any accompanying spouse or children.Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB) ↗
- ·Travel and health-cover documents as required by the NIPDB.Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB) ↗
Application pathway
Check the route fit
Confirm your income comes from outside Namibia and meets the minimum monthly figure, and that the short Digital Nomad Visa fits your plans on the official NIPDB page.
Build the evidence pack
Gather proof of your remote income, your passport, and evidence of means for any accompanying family.
Submit through the official channel
Send the application to the NIPDB, which reviews it and forwards it to the Ministry of Home Affairs for the final stamp.
After approval
Live in Namibia for the short permitted period while working for foreign clients or employers; check the latest renewal or reapplication rules before planning to extend.
Official application links
Where to actually go next
These are the official pages to use for this route. Open them before preparing documents: the forms, fees, appointment systems, and sponsor steps can change without warning.
- Official guidanceApplicantUse official Digital Nomad Visa (NIPDB) route page ↗
Use this official page to confirm requirements and follow the government filing route for Digital Nomad Visa (NIPDB).
Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB) · verified
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Related routes
Employment Permit
For foreign nationals taking up a job in Namibia: the employment permit lets you work for a Namibian employer, applied for through the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security.
Investor Residence (qualifying investment)
For foreign nationals making a qualifying investment in Namibia and running their own business there: this investor route lets you reside on the strength of that investment, with the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board helping coordinate the permit through the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Permanent Residence Permit (PRP)
For foreign nationals who have built a long, lawful connection to Namibia: the Permanent Residence Permit (PRP) gives durable, long-term residence beyond the renewable temporary permits, applied for directly to the Ministry of Home Affairs in Windhoek.
Frequently asked questions
Can I work for a Namibian company on the Digital Nomad Visa?+
No. The Digital Nomad Visa is only for income earned from outside Namibia - you cannot take a local Namibian job on it. If you wanted to work for a Namibian employer, you would need the separate employment permit. Confirm the current rules on the official NIPDB page.
Does the Digital Nomad Visa lead to permanent residence?+
No. It is a short visa of around six months and is not a settlement route; the current official position is that it is non-renewable, with reapplication only after a waiting period. If you want durable residence, look at the employment, investor or permanent residence routes instead. Confirm the latest rules on the official NIPDB page.
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