How to move to Zambia for permanent residence: necessary documents and customs rules
Many people are attracted to relocating to Zambia because of the climate, low taxes, good business environment, low rental costs, and other advantages. But before going to Zambia for permanent residence you need to know about all the features of document processing.
To visit the country, you will need an international passport and a visa. It can be issued at the Zambian consulate, online, and in some cases - at the border of this African state after arrival.
How to submit documents for a visa
To do this, you need to contact the consulate of this country on working days with the following documents:
1) International passport;
2) Passport copy;
3) Two passport-size photos;
4) Insurance policy;
5) Two questionnaires filled in in English and signed by the applicant;
6) Receipt for payment of the consular fee;
7) Airline ticket.
Important: vaccination against yellow fever, malaria, etc. is required for arrival in Zambia.
Please note that your passport must be valid for at least 6 months before the date of entry into Zambia.
The maximum visa validity period is 3 years.
There are four ways to stay on permanent residence in Zambia:
1) Obtain a guest visa, and then a residence permit;
2) Business visa;
3) Apply for a Zambian passport;
4) Permanent residency.
A visitor visa is suitable for those coming to Zambia to visit relatives or friends. It can be issued upon arrival at the airport.
A business visa is required if you want to do business in this country. For this, you need to contact a Zambian consulate abroad or points of entry into the country.
The country's authorities require that all foreigners who intend to work and live in Zambia present all the necessary documents. You may also be asked to provide fingerprints.
A work permit, residence permit, and visa allow you to live, leave and enter Zambia, etc. To do this, you need to contact the Department of Immigration for Foreigners and submit the following documents:
1) Two passport-size photos;
2) Certificate of no criminal record;
3) Documents on education or qualification;
4) Passport and its copy.
Foreign nationals can come to Zambia on a business visa and then apply for a work permit.
How to get a Zambian passport?
The Zambian passport is issued by the country's authorities to its citizens. According to the constitution of Zambia, dual citizenship is allowed in this country, so you will be able to obtain your passport even without severing ties with your home state.
To acquire citizenship, you need to have lived in the country for 5 years. If you are married to a citizen of the country, you can submit documents after 2 years.
Citizenship can also be obtained through naturalization. But there are several requirements here:
1) To live in Zambia for 10 years;
2) Provide all necessary information about yourself;
3) Provide a certificate of no criminal record;
4) Pass a test on knowledge of one of the official languages.
Obtaining permanent residency
If your relative is a citizen or resident of Zambia, you have the right to apply for permanent residency in its territory.
The following documents are required for this:
1) National passport;
2) Duty payment receipt;
3) Photo of the passport sample;
4) Certificate of no criminal record;
5) Fluorography and certificate of absence of diseases in English;
6) Certificates confirming your marital status.
Important: all documents must be translated into English with notarization;
A Zambian residence permit allows you to stay in the country until it expires. It is issued to the spouse of a Zambian citizen.
A foreigner's permanent residence permit can be recognized with the help of the following documents:
Work permit (10 years of experience required);
2) Spouse's permit valid for three years;
3) Pensioner (if a pension account is available);
To obtain a residence permit, you need to submit the documents to the Department of Immigration Control of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Zambia. This also requires a fee of approximately $300.
Residence permit for real estate purchase
Buying real estate in Zambia opens up wide opportunities for migrants. You can invest in someone else's business as an investor or provide a business plan that confirms your intentions to create a business in the territory of this country. At the same time, the minimum investment value is 45 thousand dollars. If you invest more than $150,000 in shares of state-owned companies, you automatically receive a residence permit.
Recommended articles
3 min
Residence permit3 min
Residence permit5 min
Residence permit5 min
Work