Employment Permit Requirements in Zambia

What a foreign national needs to work legally in Zambia, who qualifies, and how long the process takes.

Rayema Enterprise Compliance Hub

Who this is for

For foreign nationals with a confirmed job offer from a Zambian-registered employer.

Eligibility

• Confirmed offer of employment from a registered Zambian company
• Employer has attempted to fill the role locally and can justify the foreign hire
• Valid passport with at least 6 months validity

Documents you'll need

• Employer's letter of offer and justification letter
• Academic and professional qualifications
• Police clearance certificate
• Medical report
• Passport copy and passport photos

Fees, timeline and validity

• Government fee: ZMW 15,500 (single entry, 2-year validity) - varies by category.
• Processing time: 4-6 weeks.
• Validity: Up to 2 years, renewable.

Getting help

We prepare and submit employment permit applications to the Department of Immigration and track each file to a decision - see our Immigration Services page, including the permit eligibility quiz, or contact us directly to start an application.