Namibia
NAMNamibia is one of southern Africa's most politically stable nations, with a functioning multiparty democracy and press freedom well above the continental average since independence from South Africa in 1990. Its vast landscape — dominated by the Namib and Kalahari deserts — supports a small population of roughly 2.6 million and an economy anchored in mining (diamonds, uranium, zinc), tourism, and fishing. Windhoek is a clean, well-ordered capital with English as the official language.
The Namibian dollar is pegged to the South African rand, providing monetary stability. Naturalisation requires ten years of lawful residence, dual citizenship is not permitted, and there is no investment-migration programme. Foreign buyers face restrictions on agricultural land. Namibia appeals chiefly to regional business operators, conservation and wildlife professionals, and those drawn by its exceptional natural environment.
- Naturalisation
- 10 years
- Tax system
- Residence Based
- Currency
- Namibian Dollar (NAD)
- Dual citizenship
- Not allowed
- Capital
- Windhoek
- Region
- africa
- Population
- 2,600,000
- Cost-of-living
- 37 /100
Passport Rank
#78
Visa-Free
68
destinations
Visa-free travel
A Namibia passport has visa-free access to 68 destinations. See the full Namibia passport breakdown →
Passports that enter Namibia without a prior visa (134)
Visa-free, visa on arrival, or on an eTA.
Community-sourced (passport-index, synced 2026-08-18) — verify with the embassy before travel.
Immigrating to Canada from Namibia
Current IRCC processing times for Namibia nationals, by application type.
| Visitor visa (outside Canada) | 219 days |
| Super visa | No processing time available |
| Study permit | No processing time available |
| Work permit | No processing time available |
| Sponsor a dependent child | No processing time available |
| Adopted child (citizenship) | Not enough data |
| Government-assisted refugees | Not enough data |
| Privately sponsored refugees | sponsor: Not enough data / refugee: Not enough data |
Your application may take longer than the times shown here. They’re not a maximum or a guarantee.
As of 2026-09-22 (IRCC). See all Canada processing times →
Source: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada — “Check processing times”. This is a copy of the version available at https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/check-processing-times.html. Reproduced under the Government of Canada’s non-commercial reproduction terms; not endorsed by or affiliated with IRCC.
Sources & last verified
Government of Canada — non-commercial reproduction (canada.ca Terms and conditions)
Country Details
- Capital
- Windhoek
- Currency
- Namibian Dollar (NAD)
- Languages
- English, Afrikaans, Oshiwambo, Damara/Nama
- Population
- 2,600,000
- Tax System
- Residence Based
- Dual Citizenship
- Not allowed
- Naturalisation
- 10 years
- Schengen / EU
- No
- Climate
- Arid / Semi-arid desert
- English Proficiency Rank
- #42
- GDP per capita
- $4,876
- Life expectancy
- 67.52 yrs
- Population growth
- 2.05%/yr
GDP per capita, life expectancy, and population growth: World Bank (2025).
Indices
Cost of Living
37
Safety
45
Healthcare
38
Quality of Life
105
Tax Summary
- Tax System
- Residence Based
- Territorial Taxation
- No — worldwide income taxed for residents
- Naturalisation
- 10 years of legal residency
- Dual Citizenship
- Not allowed
Cost of Living by City
← scroll the table →
| City | Rent 1BR centre | Rent outside | Groceries | Utilities | Transit pass |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Windhoek | — | — | — | — | $30 |
| Swakopmund | — | — | — | — | $25 |
| Walvis Bay | — | — | — | — | $22 |
Monthly USD figures. Typical central 1-bedroom rent, grocery basket for one, household utilities, monthly transit pass.
Climate
Windhoek
Rainfall range: 0–75 mm/month · Daylight 10.7h (winter) to 13.4h (summer)
Visa Categories & Immigration Authority
Major Visa Categories
- Tourist
- Work Permit
- Investor
- Student
- Family
- Permanent Residence
- Authority
- Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security
- Official Portal
- www.mhaiss.gov.na
- Phone
- +264 61 292 2111
- info@mhaiss.gov.na
Naturalisation Details
- Residence Years
- Language Test
- Yes (level n/a)
- Civic Test
- No
- Oath Required
- No
- Dual Allowed
- No
- Fee
- $150
- Processing
- ~24 months
Safety
GPI Rank
#67
Global Peace Index ranking (lower is safer)
Common Risks
- ⚠Fake gem sellers near tourist sites
- ⚠Overcharging taxi fares for newcomers
- ⚠Bogus safari booking agents
Regulators & official sources
Bodies that regulate immigration advice in Namibia, and the official sources indexed for it by Visa Atlas. Descriptions are verbatim; each links to its source.
Law Society of Namibia
LSNStatutory body regulating legal practitioners in Namibia. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator; representation is by licensed legal practitioners.
Related Guides
Related on The Citizenship Desk
Visa routes
Official visa and residence routes for Namibia, indexed from Visa Atlas. Each links to its government source. This is a licensed external index, distinct from our own curated visa guides.
Residence
Permanent Residence Permit (PRP)
ResidenceFor 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.
Retirement Permanent Residence (substantial means)
ResidenceFor retirees who can support themselves from their own means: this route lets you settle in Namibia on the strength of a stable income or assets, applied for through the Ministry of Home Affairs as a permanent residence basis.
Work (sponsored)
Employment Permit
Work (sponsored)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.
Study
Study Permit
StudyFor international students enrolled at a Namibian institution: the study permit lets you live in Namibia for the length of your course, applied for through the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Investor
Investor Residence (qualifying investment)
InvestorFor 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.
Digital nomad
Digital Nomad Visa (NIPDB)
Digital nomadFor 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.
Sources & last verified
Route index from Visa Atlas (CC BY 4.0), as of 2026-09-12. Each route links to its official government source.
Sources & last verified
- Last verified