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IMPACT – MEDIUM
What is the change? Namibian immigration authorities have restricted the use of short-term work visas to 90 days per year.
What does the change mean? Companies and employees that rely on short-term visas beyond 90 days should be prepared to apply for long-term work permits, a lengthier process that requires local advertising, labor market testing and proof that local candidates were considered.
Background: The limitation on short-term work visas was quietly implemented in August along with the more widely publicized across-the board increases in visa fees. Short-term visas were previously easy to obtain and to extend in-country, but because their validities are generally 90 days, they are now effectively limited to one per year.
Analysis & Comments: Namibia is joining a trend among countries increasing enforcement of localization policies that encourage companies to hire resident labor in efforts to reduce local unemployment. In general, employers should no longer rely on short-term visas as a substitute for long-term work permits and prepare to undergo the lengthier processes that are required for long-term work permits. In practice, however, the issuance of short-term work visas remains at the discretion of individual adjudicators and the new rule has not been consistently enforced thus far.
Source: Deloitte LLP. Deloitte LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales with registered number OC303675 and its registered office at 1 New Street Square, London EC4A 3HQ, United Kingdom.
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