Announced in October 2022, the Namibia digital nomad visa is one of Africa’s pioneering remote work visas, offering long-term stays in the south of the continent. 

The country joins both neighboring South Africa and the island nations of Cape Verde and Mauritius to complete the first four nomad visas offered in Africa. With an initial six months up for grabs, Namibia offers one of the shorter visa durations that we’ve seen—but that doesn’t make it any less valuable.

From the sand dunes of Sossusvlei to the ghost town of Kolmanskop, there are hundreds of reasons why Namibia should be on the bucket list of every nomad and traveler. Find out everything we know about the Namibia digital nomad visa in our full remote working guide.

What is the Namibia Digital Nomad Visa?

The Namibia digital nomad visa allows applicants to live and work in the country for an initial period of up to six months as a remote worker. It is currently unclear as to whether or not the visa will offer the option of an extension for approved nomads.

Successful applicants must meet a short list of requirements to both qualify and become approved for the Namibia digital nomad visa. This includes a valid passport, health insurance, proof of remote work, and a minimum income requirement. 

Applicants are permitted to bring both their spouse and any dependents with a successful visa application, although dependents will increase the minimum income requirements.

Why is the Namibia Digital Nomad Visa Better Than a Tourist Visa?

Namibia currently allows visitors with the sole intent of tourism from 54 nations to enter the country without a visa for a maximum of 90 days. When visiting for the purpose of working in the country, including volunteering, a working visa must be applied for before entering the country. 

Although minimal details are yet to be released, the Namibian remote working visa is noted to have an initial validity period of up to six months. This offers more than double the standard tourism permissions of up to 90 days in the country. 

Namibia Digital Nomad Visa Requirements 

Digital nomads interested in applying for the Namibia digital nomad visa must satisfy the following application requirements:

• Valid Passport: The applicant's passport must be valid for the entire visa duration
• $2,000 Minimum Monthly Income: Applicants are required to show proof of their income, meeting the minimum requirement of $2,000 USD per month. ‍
• $3,000 Minimum Monthly Income: If bringing a spouse

• $3,500  Minimum Monthly Income: If bringing a spouse and a dependent (an additional $500 per month for every dependent)

• Health Insurance: Applicants must show proof of a health insurance policy with coverage in Namibia (not yet confirmed).

The details surrounding the Namibia digital nomads are still to be confirmed—if there are any additional requirements to follow we will update this information in due course. 

How to Apply 

The steps to apply for the Namibia digital nomad visa have not yet been published. Check back for updates, or sign up to our mailing list, to receive updates on the latest digital nomad news.

We do, however, know the value of the visa fee which sits at $62 USD and must be paid by all applicants when collecting their Namibian remote work visa. 

Why Choose Namibia for Your Next Remote Working Trip?

Although the path for digital nomads is relatively unpaved in Namibia, the country offers an incredible landscape and infrastructure carved by tourism that’s perfect for an adventure.

Namibia is currently ranked 92nd out of 167 different countries in the 2021 Legatum Prosperity Index, an independent study focused on more than 100 different indexes. This ranks the country between Turkey and Morocco on the chart. Governance and Personal Freedom are the two areas in which Nambia excels, but healthcare is the weakest attribute of the country. 

Remote Work Culture in Namibia

With a population of a little more than 420,000, Windhoek is both the capital and the largest city in Namibia. It’ll come as no surprise then that Windhoek is the best bet for digital nomads requiring a strong and stable internet connection and the best infrastructure in the country. Namibia scores poorly when it comes to digital well-being and has been ranked 103rd of the 117 countries included. But with the movement in the digital nomad visa program, it could be a sign that priorities in Namibia are changing for a tech-focused future. 

Cost of Living and Quality of Life in Namibia 

The cost of living in Namibia is low, making it an attractive base for global digital nomads and entrepreneurs looking to keep living expenses low. 

It is estimated that the cost of living for a single digital nomad living in Namibia is approximately $485.00 USD (without rent), this increases to an approximate value of $1,680 USD, 54.3% lower than in the United States. Rental prices in Namibia are incredibly low, estimated at approximately 76.6% lower than equivalent properties in the United States. 

The quality of life in Namibia is rated as moderate, scored at 140.3 out of a potential total of 240. The country excels in the climate index, cost of living index, and property price-to-income ratio. Namibia scores lowly in the purchasing power index and in the safety index. 

Healthcare in Namibia

Although a moderate quality of life can be experienced in Namibia, the healthcare system is not ranked highly and is one of the main downfalls of the country for digital nomads. Looking once again at the 2021 Legatum Prosperity Index, Healthcare in Namibia is ranked 126th out of 167 countries. The private sector (serving 18%) and public sector (serving 82%) cover the sparsely populated country. Although it is not yet confirmed as an official requirement, we would recommend that every digital nomad traveling to Namibia invest in travel insurance covering healthcare in the country. 

Conclusion 

Namibia may not be the first destination that comes to mind when thinking about a digital nomad paradise, but it’s a location oozing with potential.

There’s a huge amount to see and do in the country—from the Namib Desert to Etosha National Park—but typical nomads may struggle with poor internet connections. For an adventure in Southern Africa, Namibia should be high up on the to-do list, but there’s a little way to go before the country is ready for hoards of laptop-wielding remote workers. 

However, with up to six months available on the new remote working visa, workcations may be on the rise in the southwest African country. Ultimately, only time will tell with the roll-out of the Namibian remote working visa. 

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