Before an expat can walk the halls of a Namibian university or attend classes in a Windhoek training centre or school, there is an important gateway to pass through: the Namibian Study Visa.

Introduction to the Namibian Study Visa

This Study Visa is officially known as the “Temporary Residence Study Permit”. This visa is not just a formality, it is a legal requirement for any non-Namibian citizen who wishes to pursue any form of education in the country. Suppose the goal is to attend a primary school, a technical college, or a prestigious university. In that case, the Study Visa is the authorisation needed to begin learning in Namibia.

Steps to Secure Your Study Visa

To start this journey, one must first secure a letter of acceptance from a recognised Namibian institution. This is the first and most important aspect of this application. Once accepted, the applicant must demonstrate that they are of good character, with a clean criminal record from their home country and any other nation where they have lived for more than a year. This is a matter of trust, and the Namibian Authorities take it seriously.

Age matters too. The applicant must be of an appropriate age for the level of education they seek. And then there is the question of means. Namibia does not want students to struggle. Proof of financial support, an obvious requirement whether personal or from a sponsor, is essential. This is to ensure that the student can focus on their studies without financial strain.

For those under 18, the requirements are even tighter. A certified, unabridged birth certificate is needed, along with written consent from both parents or a legal guardian. If one parent is absent, additional documentation must also be provided to explain and support the child’s application.

Documentation Requirements for Applicants

The paperwork is extensive. From medical and radiological reports to police clearances and motivational letters, the list is complex. Every document must be in English or accompanied by a sworn translation. Every form must be filled out with care. This is not bureaucracy for its own sake – it is a system designed to ensure that those who come to Namibia to study are prepared, supported, and serious about their intentions.

Visa Fees and Payment Information

Once the application is submitted to the Ministry of Home Affairs, the waiting begins. Processing can take anywhere from two to four months. It is a time of patience, of preparation, and hope. If approved, the applicant must then pay the required fees.

• N$1,600 for basic education,
• N$2,200 for tertiary studies.

… and submit their passport for visa endorsement.

It is important to note that the Study Visa does not qualify directly for Namibian Permanent Residence. It is a temporary permit, tied to the duration of the academic programme.

It can be renewed, provided the student remains in good standing with the academic institution and can maintain valid medical coverage.

Bringing Family: Understanding Dependant Permits

For those who wish to bring family, there is a path. Dependants and partners may apply for their own temporary residence permits, but only after the primary Study Visa has been accepted. This is to ensure that the student’s status is secure before others are allowed to join.

The process is challenging, but it is fair and transparent. And for those who navigate it successfully, the reward is great: the chance to study in one of Africa’s most unique and welcoming nations.

And now, with the merger of IBN and Envoy Global, the process has become even more accessible. Whether your dreams lie in a Namibian classroom, a British lecture hall, or a French atelier, help is at hand. Global Study Visas are no longer a maze to navigate alone. Because education knows no borders, neither should you.

Navigating the Process

With a presence that spans continents, Envoy offers tailored visa and immigration support for study destinations across the globe – including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, France, the Netherlands, South Africa, and, of course, Namibia.

Their role is not just administrative. Envoy helps students understand the specific requirements of each country’s immigration system, from gathering the proper documents to meeting deadlines and ensuring compliance with local laws. They provide guidance on everything from visa renewals to bringing dependants, and they do so with a global perspective and local expertise.

What makes this support so vital is the growing recognition that education is not just a personal milestone; it is a global investment. In a world increasingly shaped by innovation, collaboration, and cross-border knowledge, education is the bridge to opportunity. It empowers individuals, strengthens communities, and fuels economies. Whether a student is pursuing engineering in Germany, fashion in France, or conservation science in Namibia, the path to a better future often begins with a visa, and Envoy Global helps make that path clear.

Written by: Ian Coffee – COO of IBN Namibia

Funding the Dream: Why Offshore Education Planning Matters More Than Ever

While Envoy Global and IBN Immigration Solutions streamline the logistics of international education through expert immigration support, the path to studying abroad doesn’t begin with paperwork. It starts with preparation, both strategic and financial. At Carrick Wealth Namibia, the focus on offshore education planning is born from a simple but pressing truth: education is becoming one of the most important differentiators in today’s job market, often even more so than experience.

The Global Perspective on Education and Investment

In a world increasingly shaped by innovation, global mobility, and digital transformation, the playing field is no longer local. Recruiters are not just comparing applicants in Namibia or South Africa; they are comparing talent from across continents. Degrees from globally recognized institutions, language fluency, cross-cultural experience, and adaptability are fast becoming decisive factors. This shift puts growing pressure on African families to think globally, and to prepare their children for opportunities beyond their borders. The challenge? These opportunities come with rising price tags. In fact, over 440,000 African students were studying abroad as of 2021, a figure that has grown by more than 170% since 1998. And this number continues to rise.

With local currencies under long-term devaluation pressures and inflation eating into traditional savings, many families risk falling behind unless they take proactive steps. That’s why we structure education-focused investment strategies that are anchored offshore and denominated in stable global currencies. It’s not just about building capital; it’s about preserving its value when your children need it most.

But let’s be clear: offshore planning isn’t only for the ultra-wealthy.

We’re committed to making this process accessible. Offshore education planning does not mean large, unaffordable lump sums.

We help parents start smart – contributing on a monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, or annual basis with amounts that suit their budget. These contributions can be automated to ensure consistency, creating a disciplined approach to building the future without putting strain on current finances.

Think of it as laying one brick at a time. Until one day, there’s a path paved to a global education, and your child is ready to walk it.

The goal is not only to fund education but to do so in a structured, tax-efficient, and currency-resilient way. Because tuition, boarding, living expenses, travel, and even emergencies can add up quickly. And the last thing any parent wants is for opportunity to knock, but to find the door locked by lack of funding.

The Opportunity Awaits

Through our partnership with IBN Immigration Solutions and Envoy Global, we offer families a comprehensive solution: From navigating immigration and visa requirements to building the offshore financial foundation that makes the dream possible. We combine global reach with local understanding, bridging legal access with financial ability.

Because education is no longer a local milestone – it’s a global investment.

And with the right plan in place, that investment can yield returns far beyond the classroom.

Written by Stephen Baard – General Manager of Carrick Wealth Namibia