Need to have US$1 million to get Zimbabwe permanent residency

Foreigners seeking to invest in Zimbabwe and to be considered for permanent residency need to have US$1 million to become eligible.

In addition, all new foreign investment in Zimbabwe now requires an Investment License issued by the Zimbabwe Investment Authority (ZIA) upon successful approval of a business project proposal.

Zimbabwe's Department of Immigration said a processing fee of US$500 non-refundable amount shall now be paid on submission of the application and US$2 500 would be paid when the licence is issued.

"Any foreigner wishing to take up employment in Zimbabwe must first be in possession of a valid work permit," the document said. "Immigration regulations permit local companies to employ foreigners under temporary work permits. Such permits are only issued by the Department of Immigration upon application by the company, which should provide proof that the requisite skill cannot be sourced locally.

"The foreigner will only be permitted to work within the capacity for which that specific permit was issued. Spouses and minors, on the other hand, may reside in Zimbabwe provided that they do not take up employment."

The document said visas were not required for nationals of certain listed countries and in "other cases" visas could be obtained at the port of entry or could be applied for in advance on arrival from the Zimbabwe Embassies depending on the category of that country.

Zimbabweans are currently up in arms over the increasing number of nationals from China and Nigeria who are grabbing virtually all office and apartment space in the CBDs of the country. They have been given "favoured nation status" much to the dismay of locals.