Namibia citizenship 2026 — naturalisation, marriage & birth

Namibian citizenship offers lasting security within one of Africa’s most stable democracies. It provides access to the region’s economic agreements, property ownership, and long-term family stability. While naturalisation is selective, those maintaining lawful residence and integration find a clear legal path to full nationality. Still building eligibility? Secure your residence first to ensure every year counts toward citizenship qualification.

Key terms

Naturalisation: acquisition of Namibian citizenship after at least ten years of lawful residence and proof of integration.

Citizenship by marriage: nationality obtained by foreign spouses of Namibian citizens after continuous residence and valid marriage.

Citizenship by birth: granted to children born in Namibia to Namibian parents or, in limited cases, to long-term residents.

Citizenship by descent: nationality through Namibian parents when born abroad, upon registration with Civil Registration.

Restoration: reinstatement of citizenship previously lost through renunciation, subject to residence and loyalty.

Dual citizenship: generally restricted — allowed only if the other nationality is acquired by birth, not naturalisation.

Ministry of Home Affairs and Immigration: authority responsible for citizenship and residence services.

Civil Registration and Identification: national office maintaining records of births, marriages and citizenship certificates.

Citizenship types

• By birth: automatically granted if at least one parent is a Namibian citizen or permanent resident. Children of foreign diplomats are excluded. Stateless children born in Namibia may be granted citizenship to avoid statelessness.
• By descent: for individuals born abroad to Namibian parents. Registration at a Namibian embassy or Civil Registration office is required within a reasonable time after birth.
• By marriage: foreign spouses of Namibian citizens may apply after ten years of lawful marriage and residence. Proof of cohabitation and continuous lawful stay is required.
• By naturalisation: open to long-term residents (typically ten years) with good character, knowledge of English or local language, and evidence of integration and economic contribution. Applicants must renounce previous citizenship unless exempted by law.
• By adoption: minors legally adopted by Namibian citizens automatically acquire citizenship once adoption is registered.
• Restoration: available to former Namibian citizens who lost nationality through naturalisation elsewhere but have returned to live in Namibia.
• Exceptional grant: rare presidential discretion for individuals contributing significantly to national development or humanitarian work.

Routes & timelines

Step-by-step

1. Confirm eligibility: check whether your path is through residence, descent, marriage, or restoration. Ensure continuous lawful stay.
2. Prepare documents: birth and marriage certificates, residence permits, tax records, police clearance and integration evidence.
3. Translate & legalise: foreign documents must be translated and notarised. Use certified translation support to match Namibian requirements.
4. Submit application: file with the Ministry of Home Affairs; provide originals and pay applicable fees.
5. Interview & verification: attend an interview assessing residence history, language and civic knowledge. Authorities verify employment, family and community involvement.
6. Decision & oath: approved applicants take the Oath of Allegiance and receive a citizenship certificate from Civil Registration and Identification.

Documents

Core set: application form, valid passport, residence record, birth/marriage certificates, police certificate, tax or employment proof and two photos.

Marriage: marriage certificate, spouse’s ID, joint residence evidence and family photos.

Descent: parental birth certificates, proof of Namibian citizenship and applicant’s birth certificate.

Restoration: old Namibian passport, renunciation record and residence certificate.

Costs & processing

Application fees are modest compared with regional standards. Total expenses depend on translations and notarial work. Timelines vary between three months for descent and one year for naturalisation. For comparative route templates, visit our Residency & Citizenship section.

Integration

Integration assessment focuses on lawful residence, employment or business contribution, family stability, language knowledge (English or local), and civic participation. Applicants active in community projects or professional associations demonstrate stronger commitment. Clean criminal record and tax compliance remain essential.

What changed in 2026

The 2026 reforms digitised citizenship applications and introduced online tracking for naturalisation and descent. Civil Registration now links directly with tax and residence databases, allowing automatic verification of stay periods and status history.

Did you know?

Namibia recognises dual nationality only for citizens who hold another citizenship by birth — naturalised dual citizens must choose one nationality before adulthood.

Common mistakes

• Assuming permanent residence automatically grants citizenship.
• Missing documentation of continuous lawful stay.
• Failing to register birth abroad within required time.
• Submitting inconsistent personal data across certificates.
• Not renouncing previous nationality when required.
• Ignoring interview requests or deadlines.

FAQ

Expert opinion

Namibia’s citizenship process values endurance — lawful residence, honesty and contribution. Keep consistent evidence of every permit, tax payment and address registration. When your file tells a single coherent story, approval becomes a matter of verification, not persuasion.

— Lina, African Legalization Advisor, VelesClub Int.

Next steps

Thinking long-term? Get a free consultation with VelesClub Int. to map your path from residence to citizenship. Start on our main platform or explore our Residency & Citizenship section — and return to the companion residence guide to align both stages of your journey.