Residence Permit for Retirees

The Residence Permit for Retirees is Zambia's permanent residence pathway for foreign nationals who wish to retire in the country and can demonstrate sufficient financial means through a pension, irrevocable annuity, or retirement account. Established under 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 confers permanent residence status. Unlike temporary permits or the Investor's Permit, holders are not permitted to work, study, or invest in business in Zambia — they must rely entirely on income sources from outside the country.

• Proof of a permanent pension, irrevocable annuity, or retirement account providing a prescribed minimum payment for life; alternatively, a minimum prescribed net worth with a prescribed amount deposited in a Zambian bank account
• Proof of property ownership or lease agreement in Zambia
• Must not be a prohibited immigrant under the Immigration and Deportation Act
• No minimum or maximum age restriction
• Must not engage in any work, study, or business investment in Zambia

• Completed application form (Form IV) in duplicate
• Covering letter addressed to the Director-General of Immigration explaining reasons for retiring in Zambia
• Proof of funds (bank statement)
• Proof of permanent pension, irrevocable annuity, or retirement account
• Proof of property ownership or lease agreement in Zambia
• Certified copy of valid passport (bio-data page and last Zambia endorsement stamp)
• Two recent passport-sized photographs
• Two testimonials from persons of good standing who have known the applicant for at least three years
• Prescribed fee receipt

The Residence Permit confers permanent residence and does not require periodic renewal. The issuance fee is ZMW 20,000 (ZMW 20,200 via card; ZMW 20,100 via mobile money). The permit becomes invalid if the holder fails to enter Zambia within six months of issuance, is absent for more than six consecutive months without notifying the Director-General, or is absent for more than twelve months continuously.

Spouse and children can be included through a variation of the permit. The fee for adding a spouse or child is ZMW 5,000 (ZMW 5,050 via card; ZMW 5,025 via mobile money). Dependants included on the permit enjoy the same permanent residence status as the principal applicant.

Zambia taxes residents on worldwide income. Retirees residing in Zambia may be considered tax-resident and subject to Zambian income tax on foreign pension and other income, subject to applicable double taxation agreements. Individuals present in Zambia for 183 days or more in a 12-month period are generally considered tax residents.

Applications can be submitted online through the Department of Immigration eServices portal or in person at the Department of Immigration offices. The online portal allows 24/7 access to complete the application form, upload supporting documents in PNG, JPG, or TIFF format, and pay fees via credit card or mobile money. Applicants must have legal entry into Zambia (typically on a visitor's visa) before or during the application process.

• Employment, study, and business investment are strictly prohibited — holders must have an alternative income source from outside the country
• The prescribed minimum income and net worth thresholds are set by regulation and may change; applicants should verify current amounts with the Department of Immigration before applying
• Holders must notify the Department of Immigration of any change of address; failure to do so is an offence
• The permit may be revoked if the holder obtained it through false representation, fails to comply with conditions, becomes unable to support themselves, or poses a danger to public peace
• Immigration fees were revised effective August 2024 under Statutory Instrument No. 25 of 2024, increasing all fees by approximately 33%