Namibia digital nomad visa: Complete guide 2026

What Is the Namibia Digital Nomad Visa?

The Namibia Digital Nomad Visa is a six-month visa that allows remote workers, freelancers, and self-employed professionals to live and work in Namibia while earning income from sources outside the country. It was launched in October 2022 by the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB) in partnership with the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety, and Security (MHAISS).

This guide covers who is eligible, what the visa allows, how to apply, and what to expect throughout the process.

Who Is the Digital Nomad Visa For?

The digital nomad visa is available to any foreign national who meets the following requirements:

• Remote work: You must work remotely as an employee of a foreign company, as a freelancer, or as a self-employed professional. Your employer or clients must be based outside Namibia. You cannot seek or take up local employment while on this visa.

  
  

• Income: You must earn a minimum monthly income of $2,000 from sources outside Namibia. If you are including a spouse, the minimum rises to $3,000 per month. For each additional dependent child, add $500 per month to that figure.

  
  

• Character: You must have a clean criminal record.

What the Digital Nomad Visa Allows

The visa gives you the following rights during your stay.

• Length of stay: The visa is valid for six months from the date of issue.

  
  

• Multiple entry: Holders can enter and exit Namibia freely during the validity period.

  
  

• Work: You can work remotely for foreign employers or international clients throughout your stay.

  
  

• Dependents: A spouse and dependent children may accompany you, provided they each submit a separate application and meet the documentation requirements.

Documents You'll Need to Prepare

Documents not originally in English must be accompanied by a certified English translation.

• Visa application form: Form 3-1/0033, completed and signed by the applicant. Each dependent must also complete and sign a separate form. The form is available on the NIPDB website.

  
  

• Passport copy: A certified copy of your passport biographical data page. Your passport must have at least two blank pages for entry and exit stamps.

  
  

• Medical certificate: Form 3-1/0003, the official Namibian medical certificate, completed by a licensed medical practitioner. The form is available on the NIPDB website.

  
  

• Radiological report: Form 3-1/0004, which is a chest X-ray report. This is a standard requirement under Namibian immigration rules and must be completed by a licensed radiologist.

  
  

• Police clearance certificate: An original or notarized copy from your country of origin, or country of residence if different. Copies are not accepted. If the document is not in English, it must be translated by a certified translator.

  
  

• Proof of income: A recent payslip or employment contract demonstrating that you meet the monthly income requirements for yourself and any dependents. Six months of personal bank statements are also required.

  
  

• Employer motivation letter: A letter from your employer confirming your remote working arrangement. If you are self-employed or a freelancer, a motivation letter explaining your work and income situation is required instead.

  
  

• Copies of qualifications: Academic or professional qualifications relevant to your field of work.

  
  

• Proof of insurance: Documentation confirming valid international health insurance and comprehensive travel insurance for the duration of your stay.

  
  

• For a spouse: A marriage certificate, plus a completed application form and the full document set listed above.

  
  

• For dependent children: A birth certificate, plus a completed application form and the supporting documents listed above.

Step-by-Step Application Process

The application is submitted by email and processed through the NIPDB, which acts as the intermediary between applicants and the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety, and Security.

Step 1: Complete your application forms and gather documents

Download and complete form 3-1/0033, the medical certificate form (3-1/0003), and the radiological report form (3-1/0004) from the NIPDB website. Have your medical certificate completed by a licensed doctor and your radiological report completed by a licensed radiologist. Gather all remaining supporting documents. Any documents not in English must be translated.

Step 2: Submit by email

Send your completed application forms and all supporting documents to nomadvisa@nipdb.com. The NIPDB will review your submission and compile a motivation letter on your behalf before forwarding everything to the MHAISS.

Step 3: Receive approval

Once the MHAISS has reviewed your application and approved it, you will be notified by email. Processing times are not officially specified.

Step 4: Pay the visa fee

Upon receiving approval, you must pay the visa fee of NAD 3,300 (approximately $180) before traveling to Namibia. The fee can be paid through a local representative in Namibia acting on your behalf, who will remit payment directly to the MHAISS. Alternatively, the MHAISS may confirm payment arrangements directly with you.

Step 5: Travel and present your documentation

Following payment confirmation, the MHAISS will issue a loose entry visa, which serves as your official documentation for entry into Namibia. Present this along with your passport and supporting documents upon arrival.

Renewing the Digital Nomad Visa

The Namibia Digital Nomad Visa is not renewable. Once your six-month visa expires, you must leave Namibia. You may only reapply 12 months after the date your previous visa expired. You cannot change the conditions of your visa while in Namibia.

Costs and Fees to Expect

The visa fee is NAD 3,300 (approximately $180), payable after your application is approved and before you travel to Namibia.

Budget separately for health insurance and travel insurance for the duration of your stay, and for any certified translations of documents not in English. There is no additional cost for the NIPDB motivation letter, which the NIPDB prepares and submits on your behalf.

Good to Know

Tax: Namibia taxes income based on its source, not on residency. Because the source of income from services is legally considered to be the place where those services are performed, income earned by digital nomad visa holders while physically in Namibia may be subject to Namibian income tax. Whether or not this applies to you in practice will depend on whether Namibia has a double taxation agreement with your home country, and how those treaty rules interact with your specific situation. It is worth consulting a tax professional familiar with Namibian tax law before your stay.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can freelancers apply?

Yes. The visa is open to remote employees, freelancers, and self-employed professionals, provided that all income comes from sources outside Namibia.

Is there a nationality restriction?

No. The visa is open to applicants of any nationality.

Can I apply from inside Namibia?

The official process is handled through the NIPDB by email and is designed to be completed before arrival. If you are already in Namibia under a different visa status, contact the NIPDB directly to ask whether an in-country application is possible.

What is the radiological report?

It is a chest X-ray report, completed by a licensed radiologist, which is a standard requirement under Namibian immigration rules. The relevant form (3-1/0004) is available on the NIPDB website.

Can I apply again after the visa expires?

Yes, but only after 12 months have passed from the date your visa expired. There is no pathway to renew or extend the six-month stay.

Can my spouse work while on a dependent visa?

No. Dependents included in a digital nomad visa application are permitted to reside in Namibia for the duration of the principal applicant's visa, but they are not authorized to work locally or remotely for any employer.