The Minister of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security, Lucia Iipumbu, says public countrywide consultations on the proposed New Migration Bill have now concluded, although stakeholders may still submit written inputs until next Wednesday.

Speaking at the last regional consulation in Windhoek, Iipumbu adds the bill seeks to modernise Namibia's immigration framework by replacing laws that are more than three decades old and aligning them with current migration trends and challenges.

"Namibia cannot continue to rely on outdated, fragmented and largely manual systems in an era where migration management, border security, investment facilitation and service delivery increasingly depend on technology."

Iipumbu said the proposed framework would support online visa and permit applications, electronic payments, real-time case tracking and secure electronic documents.

She added that digitalisation would improve security, reduce administrative delays and strengthen migration management.

|Khomas Governor Sam Nujoma said the proposed legislation should also serve as a tool for economic development by attracting investment and critical skills.

"We must devise laws that not only protect our sovereignty but also advance our development agenda. Immigration policy must be seen as an economic instrument, one that attracts investment, rare skills and innovation."

Among the bill's key provisions are new permit categories, including spousal residence permits, investor residence permits, scarce skills employment permits, medical treatment visitor permits and permits for informal sector workers.

The bill also proposes stricter permit requirements, the regulation of passport use by dual citizens, and the establishment of an Immigration Appeal Board.

The proposed legislation has undergone nationwide public consultations over the past three weeks and is expected to be tabled in Parliament once the drafting process is finalised.