Zambia · Student
Zambia Study permit
First checked against official sources on , some details partly verifiedChange log
Key facts
Study permit is a student route for Zambia. Checked 2026-10-11 against the official source.
- Government fees
- ZMW 9,000 ≈ $450
Cost, time and long term
Government feesZMW 9,000 ≈ $450
- ZMW 9,000 (≈ $450)Statutory fee for Study Permit issuance (private sector schedule); renewal is ZMW 12,000 (≈ $600).
RenewalRenewable
The permit can be renewed or extended with a covering letter from the school and your latest results transcript or progress report.
CitizenshipTime here doesn't count
Citizenship by registration needs ten continuous years of ordinary residence, and the Citizenship Act counts only time as a Residence Permit holder. Years on this permit do not count until you hold a Residence Permit.
Where to applyFrom abroad
You apply while outside Zambia and stay outside until the permit is issued, unless you already live in Zambia ordinarily or are a refugee.
Why this route may not fit
Check this before you apply.
- Time on this route doesn't count toward citizenship
- Applications are made from outside Zambia, not after arriving
- Needs a place at a school or university in Zambia
What you'll need
Who can apply1
- The applicant is enrolled at a Zambian educational institution, full or part time.
What you must show1
- The statutory fee for Study Permit issuance is ZMW 9,000 (≈ $450) (private sector schedule); renewal is ZMW 12,000 (≈ $600).
Documents3
- A letter of acceptance from the educational institution is submitted.
- A medical report from a Zambian Government medical facility is submitted.
- A sponsor's letter supports the application, with proof of the sponsor's status and financial standing.
Steps1
- Applications are made online through the Immigration Department e-services account, with documents uploaded and the fee paid online.
After you arrive2
- Renewal requires a covering letter from the school and the latest results transcript or progress report.
- The holder may not engage, for gain, in any activity, business, trade, employment or profession not specified in the permit.
When you become tax resident
How Zambia decides tax residence and treats foreign-source income, from its tax records.
- Income tax
Employment income is taxed under PAYE on monthly bands: 0% on the first ZMW 5,100, (≈ $250) 20% to 7,100, 30% to 9,200 and 37% above, as shown in the Revenue Authority table labelled 2023.
Full official text
Issued to a foreign national who intends to study full time or part time at a Zambian educational institution. 1 2 3 4
What you must show and pay
- A fee of ZMW 9,000 (≈ $450) · Statutory fee for Study Permit issuance (private sector schedule); renewal is ZMW 12,000 (≈ $600). 2
Requirements
- The applicant is enrolled at a Zambian educational institution, full or part time. 1
- The statutory fee for Study Permit issuance is ZMW 9,000 (≈ $450) (private sector schedule); renewal is ZMW 12,000 (≈ $600). 2
- A letter of acceptance from the educational institution is submitted. 3
- A medical report from a Zambian Government medical facility is submitted. 3
- A sponsor's letter supports the application, with proof of the sponsor's status and financial standing. 3
- Applications are made online through the Immigration Department e-services account, with documents uploaded and the fee paid online. 1
- Renewal requires a covering letter from the school and the latest results transcript or progress report. 3
- The holder may not engage, for gain, in any activity, business, trade, employment or profession not specified in the permit. 3
Stay
- The study permit names the educational institution and lets the holder remain in Zambia while under instruction there and for such period thereafter as would reasonably enable completion of the programme of study. It is issued for programmes longer than three months, and renewal or extension can be applied for.
- Renewable, subject to the conditions in force at renewal.
Work
The holder may not engage, for gain, in any activity, business, trade, employment or profession not specified in the permit.
Official sources
- Information for Residents: permit types · Zambia Department of Immigration · checked 2026-10-10
- Visa and Immigration Permit Fees · Zambia Department of Immigration · checked 2026-10-10
- Permit Types (Spouse Permit) · Zambia Department of Immigration · checked 2026-10-12
- Immigration and Deportation Act, 2010 (Act No. 18 of 2010), sections 20, 26 and 28 · National Assembly of Zambia · checked 2026-10-12
- The Citizenship of Zambia Act, 2016 (Act No. 33 of 2016) · National Assembly of Zambia · checked 2026-10-11
- Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Act, 2016, Article 37 · National Assembly of Zambia · checked 2026-10-11
Study permit and its alternatives
| Route | Money needed | Stay | Work |
|---|---|---|---|
| Study permit | – | – | – |
| Student card Morocco | – | 10 yr, renewable | – |
| Exchange visa South Africa | – | 1 yr | Limited |
| Student residence Cabo Verde | – | 1 yr, renewable | – |
| Student pass Kenya | – | – | – |
Questions people ask
How much money do I need for the Study permit?
A fee of ZMW 9,000 (≈ $450). Statutory fee for Study Permit issuance (private sector schedule); renewal is ZMW 12,000 (≈ $600).
How long can I stay on the Study permit?
The study permit names the educational institution and lets the holder remain in Zambia while under instruction there and for such period thereafter as would reasonably enable completion of the programme of study.
Can I work on the Study permit?
The holder may not engage, for gain, in any activity, business, trade, employment or profession not specified in the permit.
How are Study permit holders taxed in Zambia?
No special regime in our records is tied to the Study permit. The standard rules apply: Employment income is taxed under PAYE on monthly bands: 0% on the first ZMW 5,100, (≈ $250) 20% to 7,100, 30% to 9,200 and 37% above, as shown in the Revenue Authority table labelled 2023.
More in Zambia
Study visas elsewhere
≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated.
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An AI assistant answers from the published records on this page and cites them. It can't assess your personal eligibility. Don't include personal details.
How this was checked
Checked on 2026-10-11 against 6 official sources. Status: partly verified; the page marks the facts an official source does not fully confirm.
Every figure on this page comes from the official source it links to. The record was researched against these sources, then reviewed separately, with special attention to effective dates and amendments. Where a source does not state something, the page leaves it out.
- Information for Residents: permit types · Zambia Department of Immigration · checked 2026-10-10
- Visa and Immigration Permit Fees · Zambia Department of Immigration · checked 2026-10-10
- Permit Types (Spouse Permit) · Zambia Department of Immigration · checked 2026-10-12
- Immigration and Deportation Act, 2010 (Act No. 18 of 2010), sections 20, 26 and 28 · National Assembly of Zambia · checked 2026-10-12
- The Citizenship of Zambia Act, 2016 (Act No. 33 of 2016) · National Assembly of Zambia · checked 2026-10-11
- Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Act, 2016, Article 37 · National Assembly of Zambia · checked 2026-10-11
Tracked since 2026-10-10. Rule changes and corrections are listed on the changes page, and the methodology page explains how facts are checked. Found something out of date? Email contact@stayglobe.app with a link to the official source.