Immigration
Immigration Control Act permits with employment subject to labour-market testing
The Immigration Control Act 7 of 1993 governs entry, work and residence. Employment permits require evidence that no suitably qualified Namibian is available, and permanent residence is decided by the Immigration Selection Board.
Key rules
- Jurisdiction — The Ministry of Home Affairs and the Immigration Selection Board decide; the High Court reviews.
- Deadline — Employment permit: obtained before commencing work
- Deadline — Permanent residence: ordinarily after an extended period of lawful residence
Governing law
- Immigration Control Act 7 of 1993
- Namibian Citizenship Act 14 of 1990
In practice
The Immigration Selection Board's discretion is broad and its reasons are often terse, so challenges proceed as administrative-law reviews for failure to apply the mind rather than as appeals on the merits.