Namibia has approved the first nine digital nomad visa applications since the programme was launched on 11 October last year.
The programme was launched by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security and the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB) to enhance economic activity in the country.
According to NIPDB spokesperson Catherine Shipushu, the digital nomad visa (DNV) allows professionals to come and work in Namibia for a short time and then move elsewhere after that period, hence the term nomads.
“The DNV programme aims to capitalise on the growing global remote workforce by offering location-independent foreign professionals the chance to live, work, and experience Namibia for up to six months.
“These digital nomads contribute towards the country’s economy by injecting foreign currency into the ecosystem, without usurping jobs meant for Namibians,” she said.
She said more than 121 enquiries about the programme had been received so far.
“Of this number, 20 applications were received, of which nine were approved and five rejected,” she added.
Shipushu says some applications were rejected because applicants did not meet the income requirements of US$2 000 (N$36 000) per month to prove they can effectively sustain themselves while in Namibia.
Other applications were rejected because they were submitted while the applicants were already in Namibia on a different legal status such as a tourist visa, or they arrived in the country before the approval of their application.
Shipushu said the launch of DNV earned Namibia international praise and the country appeared in over 1 100 social media posts and articles online, globally.
Location independent workers search for qualities such as “fresh air”, “different culture”, and “best holiday destination”.
TOURISM STIMULATION
As an effective marketing tool for Namibia, the DNV programme has also created visibility through digital nomads documenting and sharing their experiences on social media and other mass media platforms, showcasing the country’s natural beauty, rich cultural heritage and hospitality.
“This increased visibility has the potential to attract more tourists, investors and talent, further stimulating the nation’s economic growth and development,” said Shipushu.
Speaking about her experience as a digital nomad, Carolyn Boston, a blogger at ‘Nomad Girl’, said:
“When living in Namibia as a digital nomad, you will be rewarded with breath-taking landscape views, making it an ideal place for nomads who want to work surrounded by nature.
“Stretching across 300 000 square miles, Namibia has an incredibly diverse landscape consisting of mighty dunes, rolling hills and a magnificent coastal desert. It’s home to a fascinating array of desert-adapted plants and animals and breath-taking natural wonders.”
Under the DNV programme, nomads bring their own remote jobs or freelance projects to Namibia.
This approach benefits the Namibian economy and creates an environment for local entrepreneurs and professionals to expand their networks, learn from their international counterparts, and explore new avenues for collaboration.
Citing the Harvard School of Business, Shipushu said with the global shift towards remote work over the past three years, approximately 47 countries have developed digital nomad visa programmes.
Namibia is one of only five African countries offering a digital nomad visa. Others are Seychelles, Cape Verde, Rwanda and Mauritius.
“NIPDB will be rolling out marketing campaigns targeted at the digital nomad community.
“’Frequently asked questions’ sheets will also be produced to ensure that applicants have access to relevant information pertaining to the qualifying criteria, as this will enable the submission of complete applications, thus increasing the approval rates,” Shipushu said.
– email: matthew@namibian.com.na
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