Investor's Permit

The Investor's Permit is Zambia's primary immigration pathway for foreign nationals who want to establish a business or invest in the country. Governed by the Immigration and Deportation Act No. 18 of 2010 and administered by the Department of Immigration under the Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security, the permit targets foreign investors aged 18 and above who intend to start a new business, invest in an existing enterprise, or join an established company. The permit authorizes the holder to conduct or supervise work related to prescribed business activities and grants multiple entry and re-entry rights for the holder, spouse, and minor children. After three continuous years of holding an Investor's Permit, the holder may apply for permanent residence.

The minimum capital investment depends on the type of venture and the local shareholding structure of the target company:

• US$250,000 for establishing a new business
• US$50,000 for a 100% citizen-owned company
• US$100,000 for companies with more than 50% citizen shareholding
• US$150,000 for companies with 25.1%–50% citizen shareholding
• US$500,000 for companies with only 5%–25% citizen shareholding

Investment levels must be maintained throughout the permit period and verified through annual audit reports from a firm registered with the Zambia Institute of Chartered Accountants (ZICA).

• Register a company in Zambia and obtain a Certificate of Incorporation from the Patents and Companies Registration Agency (PACRA)
• Obtain an Investment Certificate of Registration from the Zambia Development Agency (ZDA)
• Meet the applicable investment threshold with documented proof
• Must be at least 18 years of age
• Must not be a prohibited immigrant under the Immigration and Deportation Act
• Title deeds or lease agreement for business premises

• Certified copies of current passport (bio-data page and last Zambia endorsement stamp)
• Proof of personal investment (bank statements, money transfer records, ZRA Form CE20 showing goods/equipment value)
• Certificate of incorporation and share capital
• Investment licence from the Zambia Development Agency
• Title deeds or lease agreement for business premises
• Audit report from a ZICA-registered firm
• Prescribed fee receipt

The initial permit is typically valid for one year and renewable for periods of two years or more. Renewal requires current VAT/ZRA receipts, an audit report from a ZICA-registered firm, current bank statements, and an immigration inspection of business premises. The issuance fee is ZMW 16,000 and the renewal fee is ZMW 20,000. After holding the permit continuously for more than three years, the holder may apply for a Residence Permit (permanent residency).

Spouse and minor children can accompany the permit holder and receive individual Digital Permit Cards as Dependants Permits. Adding a spouse or child costs ZMW 8,000. Spouse and adult children (over 18) may obtain separate employment permits if working in the family business. No separate investment requirement applies for dependants.

Zambia taxes on a source basis for residents. Tax residency is determined by physical presence of 183 days or more in any 12-month period or having one's principal place of abode in Zambia. Tax residents must file annual returns with the Zambia Revenue Authority and make quarterly provisional tax payments on business or investment income.

The applicant first registers a company and obtains a Certificate of Incorporation from PACRA. Next, an Investment Certificate is obtained from the ZDA (processing fee ZMW 2,133; licence fee ZMW 12,783 upon collection; decision within 14 days). The permit application is then submitted through the Department of Immigration's eServices portal by completing the prescribed form, uploading documents in JPEG/PNG/TIFF format, and paying the ZMW 16,000 issuance fee. The Department conducts a business premises inspection before finalizing the decision. Processing typically takes 4–6 weeks.

• The permit holder may only conduct or supervise work related to the prescribed business activities specified on the permit
• The permit ceases to be valid if the holder becomes a prohibited immigrant or contravenes any law
• Holders must notify immigration of any change of address
• Immigration fees were revised in August 2024 under Statutory Instrument No. 25 of 2024, resulting in an approximate 33% increase across all fees
• This is not a passive investment program — it requires active business establishment and ongoing compliance including annual audits and immigration inspections