15/03/23

AFRICA: Namibia home affairs distances itself from golden visa.

As published on namibian.com.na, Wednesday 15 March, 2023.

The Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security has distanced itself from the golden visa programme allegedly being offered to wealthy foreign nationals by Walvis Bay-based developers.

The ministry's executive director, Etienne Maritz, said they took note of articles circulating which claim the ministry has introduced a policy to issue citizenship, as well as permits, to foreign nationals who purchase residential property in the President's Links Estate (and Henley and Partners).

Maritz said there is no link between the government and the company.

“The ministry has never agreed to collaborate with any outside entity to link employment permits permanent residency permits to investment,” he said.

Maritz said the issuance of citizenship and permits is acquired in accordance with the eligibility criteria set out in the Constitution and legislation.

He said foreign investors are issued with relevant permits in line with national laws and procedures.

“Foreign nationals wishing to obtain citizenship or residence status in Namibia are, therefore, advised to do so in terms of the Namibian Citizenship Act of 1990 and the Immigration Control Act of 1993, respectively,” he said.

In 2019, the ministry announced the intention to launch the Namibia Residence by Investment Programme (NRIP) during the session of the High-Level Panel on the Namibian Economy. This was with the intention to attract wealthy international retirees and their wealth to the country following the route taken by Mauritius.

Maritz said the ministry, in consultations with the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB), is in the process of drafting a golden visa programme in line with the second Harambee Prosperity Plan.

He said once the final version of the programme is submitted to the ministry, it will be reviewed for compliance with Namibia's laws before it is submitted to Cabinet for approval.

“We, therefore, advise foreign investors intending to invest in Namibia to obtain relevant information and advice on investments in Namibia by contacting the NIPDB,” said Maritz.

The only known visa programme is the Namibia Digital Nomad Visa, which was launched by the NIPDB in 2020.

It is aimed at inviting foreign professionals who work remotely to live and work from Namibia for a period of up to six months.

Currently, investors are issued with work permits.

President's Links advertised the golden visa programme, for which applicants have to invest in its planned luxury golf estate at Walvis Bay, to secure residency in the country.

One of the company directors, Andrew van Schalkwyk, confirmed the legitimacy of the website.

On the website, the company promotes its activities through the NRIP.

“The NRIP enables successful real estate investors to receive a five-year, renewable work permit and reside in the country.

“The work permit only allows work at a company owned by the applicant, however. After seven years, permit holders can apply for permanent residence, and after 10 years, citizenship,” reads the message on the company website.

Processing time for the visa is reportedly three months from submission of the application to approval.

Van Schalkwyk said they are not selling citizenship but a Resident by Investment (RBI) visa.

“No one is getting citizenship. You can't get permanent residence by buying a house in Namibia. It is not what we are advertising,” he said.

President's Links Estate is situated behind the Walvis Bay golf course, east of Meersig and the upmarket neighbourhood of Fairway. It is an extension of the expansion of the golf course in terms of the Integrated Urban Special Development Framework.

Another partner in the N$4 billion project is Pieter Fox.

According to the website, applicants have to purchase property ranging from a two-bedroom retirement villa from US$352 000 (N$6,460 960), with the most expensive being a four-bedroom villa costing around US$801 000 (N$14 702 355).

Meanwhile, the NIPDB has confirmed that they have been engaging President's Links Estate since 2021.

NIPDB chief executive officer Nangula Uaandja said the project promoters have been requesting updates on the status of the golden visa programme.

She, however, advised them to use the existing laws and regulations to attract investors in the absence of an approved golden visa programme.

Uaandja said the NIPDB is in the process of crafting a concept for a Namibian RBI framework, that will be known as the Desert Visa Programme.

“...which covers various categories of investment, and proposes certain conditions for each category. Among the various categories conceptualised under this framework, is one on RBI through real estate investments,” she said.

UK: Treasury Budget Discusses…