Namibia Digital Nomad Visa: Benefits, Requirements & Apply

Namibia has recently introduced its own digital nomad visa, joining a small but growing list of African countries making it easier for remote workers and digital nomads to stay longer than a quick tourist trip.

The appeal is obvious: wide-open landscapes, dramatic coastlines, and wildlife that feels straight out of a documentary, all paired with a relatively low cost of living and the convenience of English as an official language.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through what the visa offers, who it’s for, how much it costs, and what life in Namibia is really like for digital nomads. Plus, a quick look at how it compares to other African options.

What is the Namibia Digital Nomad Visa?

The Namibia Digital Nomad Visa is a special permit that allows remote workers to live in Namibia for up to six months. It is non-renewable during that period, and applicants may only reapply after waiting twelve months from expiration.

This initiative is part of Namibia’s “smart tourist” push, designed to boost tourism and diversify the economy by attracting high-value visitors who work remotely rather than just vacation. Eligible applicants include employees, freelancers, or entrepreneurs whose clients or employers are located outside Namibia, essentially anyone whose income is not locally sourced.

Visa holders are permitted to bring their spouse and dependents with them under the same permit, subject to meeting additional income or documentation requirements.

Living in Namibia as a Digital Nomad

Namibia is quickly becoming an interesting option for digital nomads. The landscapes are stunning, with deserts, towering dunes, and national parks alive with wildlife, offering endless opportunities to explore once the workday ends. Life is relatively easy to manage, especially in larger towns like Windhoek & Swakopmund, where the internet is reliable and English is widely spoken. Costs are generally lower than in many Western countries, so remote workers often find their income goes further here. Namibia also has a reputation for being one of the safer and more stable countries in Africa. Combine that with a welcoming culture and a slowly growing expat community, and you get a destination where work and adventure can fit together naturally.

Namibia Digital Nomad Visa Requirements

To qualify for Namibia’s Digital Nomad Visa, applicants must meet a set of financial, professional, and personal criteria to prove they can support themselves without relying on local employment:

1. A valid passport (with sufficient remaining validity) to support the visa application.
2. Proof that you work remotely, either as an employee, freelancer, or entrepreneur for clients or an employer located outside Namibia, so your income is foreign-sourced.
3. Evidence of minimum income: typically at least USD 2,000/month for single applicants, rising to USD 3,000/month if bringing a spouse, and USD 3,500/month if bringing both a spouse and dependent; plus an extra USD 500/month per additional dependent.
4. Health insurance coverage valid in Namibia for the duration of your stay.
5. A clean criminal record (police clearance certificate) from your country of origin.

How to Apply for the Namibia Digital Nomad Visa

Applying for Namibia’s Digital Nomad Visa is a straightforward process, but it does require careful preparation of documents and coordination with the Namibian authorities. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you through it.

Step 1: Complete the Application Form

Start by downloading the official visa application form from the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB) website. This form is required for all applicants and must be filled out accurately before submission.

Step 2: Gather the Required Documents

Prepare all the necessary paperwork, including a certified copy of your passport, proof of health insurance valid in Namibia, bank statements from the past six months, and evidence of foreign income that meets the minimum monthly requirement. If you’re applying with dependents, you’ll also need marriage or birth certificates, plus police clearance and medical certificates for adults.

Step 3: Submit Your Application via Email

Send the completed form and your supporting documents to the NIPDB at [email protected]. The board will review your file and forward it to the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security for processing.

Step 4: Pay the Visa Fee After Approval

Once your application is approved, you’ll receive an email with payment instructions. The fee is around USD 124 (NAD 2,200) and must be paid before you travel, either by electronic transfer or through a local representative. After payment, you’ll be issued a loose entry visa to present at the border.

Step 5: Enter Namibia with Your Visa

Bring your loose entry visa and original or certified copies of your documents when you travel to Namibia. Present them on arrival to finalize your entry as a digital nomad visa holder.

Cost of the Namibia Digital Nomad Visa

The cost of Namibia’s digital nomad visa is relatively modest compared to many remote-work visas globally. You’ll need to pay approximately USD 124 (NAD 2,200) when you arrive to activate your visa. Because the program is new and evolving, actual costs may vary slightly by location or applicant status, so it’s wise to confirm with NIPDB or Namibian immigration before you travel.

Namibia Digital Nomad Visa Timeline

There isn’t an official processing time published for the Namibia Digital Nomad Visa, but most reports suggest it takes around 2 to 3 weeks from the moment you submit your application until you receive approval. Once approved, you’ll need to pay the visa fee before traveling, after which you’ll be issued a loose entry visa to present at the border.

How Namibia’s Visa Compares to Other African Options

When you compare Namibia’s Digital Nomad Visa to other African programs, it stands out for being shorter and more restrictive, but also a little different in character.

South Africa recently introduced a Remote Work Visa that can last up to three years, provided you meet the income requirements and continue working for clients abroad.

Mauritius, on the other hand, offers a Premium Visa that’s valid for one year, renewable, and often comes without a visa fee, making it one of the easiest and most popular options on the continent.

Cape Verde’s program feels more similar to Namibia’s: it grants six months, with the possibility of renewal, and applicants must show proof of remote work plus a minimum monthly income of around €1,500.

In comparison, Namibia’s six-month visa is non-renewable and has strict income rules for bringing dependents, but the trade-off is a more offbeat destination with lower day-to-day costs and a smaller, less saturated nomad scene.

Namibia Digital Nomad Visa: Pros and Cons

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