The Work Permit is an official document that certifies that a foreigner has been hired by a Namibian employer to do specific work in the country. The permit also guarantees that your employee will not pose any threat to the nation’s security or economy.

The duration of your stay will be determined by your specific needs and the type of job you will be doing. If you want to work for over 90 days then you should apply for an extension at least 30 days before the expiry of your current permit.

Work permits are required for all foreigners who intend to work in Namibia.

In Namibia, foreigners are required to have a work permit before they can legally work in the country. If you don’t have a valid permit, you could be fined or deported from the country.

There are different permits available for different jobs and circumstances. For example:

• An Individual Employment Permit is for people who wish to apply for temporary employment with an employer in Namibia;
• An Independent Person’s Certificate allows self-employed individuals to operate businesses in Namibia; and
• A Skills Development Permit is for people who want to come into the country temporarily as part of their training here so that they can obtain skills needed elsewhere outside Namibia (for example, foreign doctors).

Foreigners who want to work in the country without a permit face penalty, fines and deportation.

If you are a foreigner who wants to work in Namibia without a permit, the penalties are severe. If caught, you could be fined up to N$100,000 and imprisoned for up to five years.

In addition, if you’re working illegally and get injured on the job and need medical treatment that isn’t covered by your employer’s insurance policy (assuming they have one), it will be more difficult for you to receive treatment because hospitals are legally required not to report non-Namibian patients engaging in illegal behaviour such as working without a permit.