The Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security has refuted allegations that it favours foreign nationals who have purchased residential property in Walvis Bay by issuing them with Namibian citizenship and permits.

This follows information making rounds on social media that the ministry has introduced a policy to issue Namibian citizenship and permits to foreign nationals who have purchased residential property in the Presidents Links Estate at Walvis Bay.

The Ministry’s Executive Director, Etienne Maritz, in a media statement here Tuesday clarified that: “[The] Ministry does not favour any particular company, nor does it endorse particular projects.”

Maritz said the ministry welcomes investment in the country and will issue qualifying foreign investors with relevant permits in line with the national laws and procedures as clearly set out in the relevant regulations.

The issuance of such Namibian Citizenship as well as Permits, he noted is acquired in accordance with the eligibility criteria set out in the Constitution of the Republic of Namibia and relevant legislation. 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.

Maritz further said that the ministry acknowledges that they are aware and had initial consultations with the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development (NIPDB) that is in the process of drafting a Golden Visa program in accordance with the activity stipulated in the Harambee Prosperity Plan II.

Once the final version of the program has been submitted to the Ministry, it will be reviewed for compliance with the laws, regulations and processes before submission to Cabinet for approval, he said, while advising foreign investors intending to invest in Namibia to obtain relevant information and advice on by contacting NIPDB.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency