The Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security has introduced a new employment permit to conduct business, effective from 1 September.
According to a notice by minister of home affairs Lucia Iipumbu issued on Tuesday, new application forms and administrative requirements would apply for this new permit.
“The amendment is aimed at creating a simpler and more efficient process for investors and business owners seeking to establish or conduct business in Namibia,” says Iipumbu.
She says 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 the country.
The minister says 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,” she says, adding that the permit will function simultaneously as work authorisation.
Explaining the process, the minister says all applications for an employment permit to conduct business must be submitted through the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board, which 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.
All applications must be submitted manually, says the notice.
“Upon approval of the application, the applicant will be required to pay a fee of N$2 600, which is the same fee applicable to a general employment permit,” she says.
– email: matthew@namibian.com.na
