How can I get Zambia Residence Permit?

After visiting Zambia for business or tourism purposes, a few people decide to get a Zambia residence permit from their experience. Others who have been there for years are quick to get a Zambia residence permit renewal. Zambia is one of the countries in Africa that the economy is growing and thus, have attracted people and companies' attention. If you are among those that want to relocate to Zambia but are not a citizen of Zambia, you need an immigration permit from the Zambian embassy or consulate. But in the first place, you can start your Zambia visa application on pickvisa.com.

From this article, you will know the Zambia residence permit requirements, how much is a residence permit in Zambia, information on Zambia residence permit validity, and how to go about with a Zambia residence permit application.

What is a Zambia residence permit?

A Zambia residence permit confers a permanent holder residence in Zambia, while a Zambia residence permit renewal allows one to stay in Zambia after his Zambia residence permit validity date.

How do I get a residence permit in Zambia?

A Zambia residence permit is given to a citizen of another country under the following requirements:

• Has continuously used the employment permit for more than 10 years.

• Has held a Zambia investor permit for more than three years.

• Given to a dependent of 21 years and below of an established residential or of someone who has a valid residence permit.

• Has been using a spouse permit for more than five years. 

• It is issued to someone irrespective of age as long as a citizen of Zambia gave birth to the person.

• Given to a dependent of foreign origin but under the care of a Zambia citizen.

• It is given to someone who intends to retire in the country and has shown sufficient funds in a retirement account, pension, and irrevocable annuity.

• Given to someone holding an entry permit as long as there are justifiable and reasonable grounds or reasons for the delayed change.

Zambia residence permit requirements

The following are among the Zambia residence permit requirements:

1. For applicants between 7 – 15 years

• A covering letter to send to the Zambian immigration department director-general.

• Certified and valid international passport – last endorsement stamp for Zambia and biodata. The passport should not be torn or separated. The validity should exceed six months from the date you are applying for a Zambia residence permit online.

• One photo – the photo should be a recent picture. The face of your child should be visible, and the picture should be on a white background.

• A certified photocopy of parent’s status.

• If you adopted the child, provide the adoption certificate.

• For children who are students, you should provide proof of enrolment at an academic and educational institution.

• Prescribed fee

• Aliens registration card should be provided.

2. For applicants who are over 16 years

The following documents should be provided during the Zambia residence permit online application:

• A cover letter written to the director-general of the immigration department in the Zambia embassy.

• Birth certificate – the birth certificate of the Zambia residence permit applicant, should be certified. A copy of the certificate is enough.

• Aliens registration card should be provided.

• Valid international passport. This passport must meet the same requirements stated for applicants between 7 – 15 years.

• A certified photocopy of the host’s status

• To prove the applicant is of good behavior, two testimonials from different persons are needed. The testimonials must come from someone who has known the applicant for more than three years.

• Marriage certificate is also required. You are to provide a certified copy of your marriage certificate at the embassy.

• One passport size photograph – the passport photo should not be more than three months old. You are not expected to wear a headcover such as a cap, hat, and eyeglasses except for religious purposes.

• Adoption certificate should be provided if you adopted the child.

• Pay the prescribed residence permit fee

• For students of 16 years and above, provide proof of their enrolment in an educational institution.

3. For applicants who hold an Investor’s Permit

As earlier stated, you can get a residence permit in Zambia if you have been holding an investor’s permit for over three years. To apply for a residence permit in Zambia, you should:

• Write a cover letter to the immigration department at the Zambian embassy.

• Provide your aliens registration card.

• You are to provide your current bank statement.

• Provide valid ZRA tax clearance certificate and VAT/ZRA receipts.

• A lease agreement or title of ownership where applicable.

• One passport size photograph – the passport size photo you are requested to provide must be taken within three months of applying for a residence permit in the country. Apart from religious reasons, don’t wear an eyeglass or a headcover while taking the photo. Keep a natural, not a smiling expression, and make sure the frontal view of your face is visible.

• After submitting the application for Zambia residence permit online, an inspection report by Immigration is required.

• Prescribed fee for the Zambia residence permit application.

• Provide an audit report from any recognized firm that is registered with the ZICA (Zambia Institute of Chartered Accountants).

4. For applicants holding a Zambia employment permit

If you have been working in Zambia for more than 10 years and you want to get a Zambia residence permit, you need to provide the following at the immigration department at Zambia:

• Two reference letters from your past employers.

• A cover letter to the director-general of the immigration department in Zambia.

• Certified and valid international passport – last endorsement stamp for Zambia and biodata. The passport should not be torn or separated. The validity should exceed six months from the date you are applying for a Zambia residence permit online.

• Contract of employment should be provided.

• The Zambian residence permit application fee.

• Aliens registration card

• One current photo. The passport size photo should meet the same requirements as the once stated above for other applicants.

• Proof of professional document that must be certified. You can also provide other professional qualification documents.

5. For applicants who want to retire in Zambia

If want to spend the rest of your life in Zambia as a retiree, the following documents should be provided, and requirements met:

• A cover letter where you explain your reasons why you want to retire in Zambia and why you need a residence permit. If you don’t know how to come up with this letter, consult expert travel companies such as www.pickvisa.com to help you. Pickvisa will also inform you on how much is a residence permit in Zambia. This letter is written to the director-general at the Zambia embassy.

• Your application form, known as Form 4, should be duly completed and signed.

• Proof of funds document, which might include bank statements. Proof of permanent pension and irrevocable annuity or retirement amount should be provided. This will show you can take care of yourself as you retire in the country.

• You need to provide proof of land ownership or lease agreement where applicable.

• Two photographs – the photos must be in a white background, must not have evidence of staples or adhesive marks, and meet other requirements mentioned above for other applicants of a Zambia residence permit.

• Valid passport – must have at least two blank pages. It must not in any way be torn, separated, or destroyed. Don’t affix your photographs on the passport.

• Zambia residence permit application prescribed fee. The fee for Zambia residence permit renewal may not be the same as when you are applying for a new residence permit.

Other ways to apply for a Zambia residence permit online include:

6. Zambia residence requirements for variation by children addition

The following documents are required:

• The birth certificate of the child you want to add. You should provide a certified photocopy of the birth certificate.

• A cover letter explaining why you need this residence permit for the child. Write the letter to the director-general of the immigration department.

• You need to provide a recent photo.

• Pay the residence permit fee.

• A valid passport should be provided. The passport should meet the same requirements as other applicant’s own stated above.

7. Zambia residence requirements for variation by change of employer

The following requirements should be met, and documents should be provided:

• A letter of release from your past employer.

• A letter of offer from your prospective employer.

• Application fee

• Your qualifications and professional documents should be provided. The documents should be certified. You can provide just the copy and not the original.

• A covering letter written to the director-general of the immigration department should be provided.

8. Zambia residence requirements for variation by change of company or addition of a new business

For this type of residency permit, provide the following:

• Current bank statement

• Certificate of incorporation

• Original permit

• List of directors

• Prescribed application fee

• Cover letter to the immigration department.

9. Zambia residence requirements for replacement or duplicate

These are required:

• A covering letter written to the immigration department.

• Get a copy of the old permit if possible.

• Certified passport copy and one recent photo. Both of these documents must meet the requirements of others mentioned above.

• Police report

Zambia residence permit validity

A residence permit will no longer be valid if the holder did not travel to the country within six months after receiving the residence permit. The residence permit will also cease to be valid if the holder is not in the country for more than twelve months. Also, when the holder fails to inform the director-general of Immigration in writing of his absence for more than six months. The question of how do I get a residence permit in Zambia has been answered from this article.