VERIPUAMI KANGUMINE
The Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security says the process of applying for employment permits in the aviation sector is no different from other industries and must follow established legal procedures.
In April, the aviation industry released a report saying that its sector is facing mounting complaints over delayed work permits and pilot shortages, with operators warning that aircraft are being grounded due to staffing gaps.
Speaking to Namibia Business Review this week, executive director Nghindinua Daniel said foreign nationals seeking to work in aviation are required to apply through the same system used across all sectors.
“The public and stakeholders are advised that the process of applying for an employment permit in the aviation industry is the same as in all other sectors. Applicants are required to duly complete the prescribed application forms, which are available on the official website of the ministry under the ‘Forms’ section,” he said.
Daniel said all employment permit applications are assessed by the Immigration Selection Board, established under Section 25 of the Immigration Control Act. He said the permits are evaluated based on qualifications, skills, training, and experience, particularly in areas where there is a shortage of suitably qualified Namibians.
“Applicants must also meet all legal requirements, while aviation-related applications must comply with standards set by the Namibia Civil Aviation Authority,” he said.
Daniel stressed that Namibian citizens are given priority in the labour market, and applications may be declined where suitably qualified locals are available.
He said employers recruiting foreign nationals must demonstrate that local recruitment efforts have been exhausted. This includes advertising vacancies in local newspapers and on the Namibia Integrated Employment Information System (NIEIS), and submitting evidence that no suitably qualified Namibian candidates were available, including CVs of unsuccessful applicants.
Where permits are granted, Daniel said employers are expected to contribute to national development through skills transfer initiatives, including understudy programmes for Namibian employees.
“Namibia remains open to foreign expertise that contributes to national growth and development. At the same time, the Government remains committed to promoting employment opportunities for Namibian citizens and ensuring the transfer of skills to build local capacity,” he said.
INDUSTRY RAISES ALARM OVER DELAYS
Despite the ministry’s position, a report released in April by the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association of Namibia (AOPA) says the aviation sector is under severe pressure from pilot shortages and permit delays.
The report warns that operational challenges have become so serious that more than 45% of aviation companies have grounded aircraft due to staffing shortages.
It shows that Namibia currently has 202 Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) holders, while only 21 new CPLs have been issued since January 2024 — averaging about 10 new commercial pilots per year.
On foreign recruitment, the report states that out of 58 foreign pilot and instructor work permit applications submitted over the past 24 months, 20 were rejected and 12 are still pending.
AOPA also says training capacity has been affected, with two approved training organisations reporting that 15 student pilots were unable to continue training due to instructor shortages, while 10 students requested or received refunds because of delays.
The report further notes that recruitment efforts have largely been exhausted locally, with 2,172 pilot and instructor applications received over 24 months, of which only 47 were from Namibian applicants. In contrast, 280 foreign applicants were assessed as meeting operational and safety standards.
It warns that the shortages threaten safety, viability, and the industry’s economic contribution.
“Local aviation companies require 60 additional pilots and 14 flight instructors to meet their basic operational baselines, and these figures represent a shortfall of 46 percent and 61 percent, respectively,” the report said.
AOPA says some operators have already grounded up to 45% of their aircraft due to pilot shortages and is calling for a fast-track work permit system for qualified foreign pilots and instructors, with a proposed 30-day processing cap.
Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security Minister Lucia Iipumbu said the government is working on amendments to the Immigration Control Act to streamline visa and permit processes, including introducing a five-year visa for high-value investors and improving application efficiency.
Her remarks follow President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s earlier call for a more efficient visa regime aimed at attracting investment and improving Namibia’s competitiveness.
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