How To Apply For A Digital Nomad Visa In The Five African Countries That Offer One

Africa is quickly becoming a top destination for remote workers from all over the world. In case you’re wondering which African countries are best for digital nomad work, check out our comprehensive list here.

If you’ve made up your mind to become an Africa-based digital nomad, here are five countries that offer a dedicated visa category, as well as the stipulations you must meet to acquire this visa in these countries.

SOUTH AFRICA

Eligibility:

1. Applicants must be employed in a remote work position by a recognised foreign employer.
2. Applicants require a minimum annual salary of at least ZAR R650 – 796.00 (approximately $37,000 USD).
3. If the foreigner is a tax resident of a country that has an active double taxation agreement with South Africa, they must register with the South African Revenue Service (SARS) if they are present in South Africa for more than 183 days within any 12-month period. However, if the foreign national is not a tax resident of such a country, they are required to register with SARS regardless of how long they stay in South Africa
4. Applicants must provide a police clearance certificate from their country of citizenship.
5. Spouses and dependents may be included on the visa.

Requirements:

You will need the following documents in order to lodge a successful application:

1. Completed visa application form.
2. Passport-sized photographs.
3. Valid passport with at least two blank pages, and valid for 30 days beyond your intended stay.
4. Proof of employment, by a letter from your employer confirming remote work.
5. Proof of income, such as bank statements or similar financial records.
6. Proof of accommodation in South Africa (rental agreement or hotel booking).
7. Proof of payment of visa fees.

Costs:

Besides travel, accommodation and daily living costs, one must take into account:

1. Department of Home Affairs visa application fee: ZAR 425 (approximately USD 25).
2. VFS fee: (Consult fee depends on your VFS centre; please consult for clarity.)

The South African Digital Nomad Visa is processed within six to eight weeks, and you can track your application through the embassy or VFS portal.

MAURITIUS

Check if your nationality is eligible for a Premium Visa (which allows for remote work) here. If not, you may enter Mauritius on a tourist visa then switch to the Premium Visa category while in the country.

Eligibility:

1. You may not work in Mauritius for a Mauritian employer in the course of your stay.
2. Your source of income and/or profit should be outside Mauritius.
3. You will need documentary evidence to support the application, such as the purpose of the visit and proof of accommodation bookings.

Requirements:

Go here to register with the Economic Development Board (EDB) of Mauritius, learn more about the application process, and apply. N.B.: There is no visa fee attached to the application process.

KENYA

Eligibility:

You will need to register as a foreign national here (you will need an eCitizen account for that, and you can open one here for free). Once registered, fill in Form 25 to qualify for a Class N Permit, which is designed for remote workers. In addition, you must:

1. Possess a valid passport with at least six months of validity.
2. Have verifiable proof of remote work.
3. Provide proof of a minimum assured annual income of USD 24,000, from non-Kenyan sources.
4. Provide proof of accommodation in Kenya.
5. Hold a clean criminal record certificate from your country of habitual residence.
6. Provide a written statement indicating you will not be employed or engage in any form of income-generating activity for any Kenyan entity while in the country.

Requirements:

1. A filled and signed Form 25, available at Foreign Nationals Services (eFNS) Portal.
2. Two recent passport-size coloured photographs.
3. A copy of a valid national passport with at least six months of validity.
4. Current immigration status (if already in Kenya).
5. A cover letter signed by the applicant, addressed to the Director General of Immigration Services, explaining the nature of employment or business, location, and duration of stay.
6. Your employer’s cover letter, addressed to the Director General of Immigration Services.
7. Bank statements or payslips for the last three months showing a stable monthly income.
8. Hotel reservations, lease agreements, or rental contracts to show proof of accommodation.
9. Letter of no objection from your country embassy.
10. Company details, including physical address, telephone number, email address, and contact person information.
11. Fee payment, which is a processing fee of a one-off USD 200 and an annual permit issuance fee of USD 1,000. Fees are payable only after the permit is approved.

NAMIBIA

Undoubtedly a beautiful country with its desert dunes and world famous historic rock art, digital nomads will also benefit from the relatively low cost of living and low crime rates.

Eligibility:

1. You must own a valid passport.
2. You must demonstrate that you earn USD 2,000 a month if you’re travelling alone; USD3,000 if you are bringing your spouse, and an additional USD 500 for each dependent.
3. You must show proof of remote employment, clients located outside Nambia, or a business owned outside the country.
4. You must show proof of a clean criminal record.
5. You must possess health insurance for the period of your stay.

Requirements:

The process is entirely online, so no need to visit an embassy to apply. To apply, you must present:

1. A copy of your passport.
2. Proof and income and employment.
3. Your last six months bank statements.
4. A police clearance certificate.
5. A medical certificate.
6. A radiology report.
7. Proof of health insurance.
8. A letter of motivation from your employer.
9. A marriage certificate, and birth certificates, where applicable.
10. Visa fee of USD 62, payable only after visa approval, and when you arrive at your port of entry.

Submit your documents here: Namibia digital nomad visa application, then send to this email address: [email protected].

CAPE VERDE

Eligibility:

The requirements for this digital nomad visa remain largely the same as for other countries. You must:

1. Your passport must be valid for at least six months.
2. You must show proof of remote work for an employer located outside Cape Verde.
3. Provide bank statements showing a bank balance of approximately USD 1,753 over the last six months.
4. You must show proof of accommodation bookings.
5. In addition, you will need proof of health insurance and a police clearance certificate.
6. A visa processing fee of USD 24.
7. You must be a citizen of one of the countries in: Europe, North America, Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries (CPLP), or Economic Community of West African States (CEDEAO).

Requirements:

Complete the application form here. The documents you will need to submit are a copy of your passport biometrics page; passport-size photos on a white background, and proof of income and health insurance.

You will receive an email regarding the success of your application in two to three weeks, after which you will need to submit an additional application form along with all the documents above that you have already submitted.

After entering Cape Verde, you have 30 days to officially obtain your digital nomad visa and extend your stay for up to six months. Send an email to the Remote Working Programme to arrange the delivery of your visa.