Foreign Tour Operator: NTB registration in Namibia
Everything the Namibia Tourism Board, the municipality and the inspector will ask a foreign tour operator for, in the order to do it, and what it costs to have it done for you.
Is this your category?
A tour operator based outside Namibia bringing groups in.
Check the quote before sending it.
What you need before you lodge
- BIPA entity registered: Founding statement / CC or company; principal activity must match the NTB category (accommodation and tour operation may not be mixed under one entity).
- NamRA tax registration + good standing: Good-standing certificate; Chrimson can renew if lapsed (add-on).
- Social Security (SSC) registration + good standing: Required for every category.
- Business bank account: In the name of the business, bank letter or stamped statement.
- Passenger liability insurance, N$5m: Active policy (not a letter of intent); Chrimson can activate a letter of intent (add-on).
What the inspector and the other offices check
- Road Carrier Permit from the Road Transportation Board, applied for first because it is the slowest step
- Roadworthy certificate for each vehicle and a Professional Driving Permit for each driver
- Passenger liability insurance of N$5 million: a policy in force, not a broker’s letter of intent
- Vehicles registered in the business’s name, or a written lease for each
- The NTB inspection of the fleet, then a disc for every registered vehicle
How long it takes
Typically eight to twelve weeks. The Road Carrier Permit sets the pace, so it is lodged first and everything else runs alongside it.
What it costs
Our professional fee is N$16,000. The NTB prices this category per vehicle; its charges are added at cost and itemised in the instant quote.
Frequently asked questions
Does a foreign tour operator need NTB registration?
Yes. Since February 2025, operating a tourism business in Namibia without Namibia Tourism Board registration is an actively enforced offence. A foreign tour operator is registered in its own category and must display the certificate.
What does it cost?
Our professional fee is N$16,000. The NTB prices this category per vehicle, and its charges are added at cost, itemised in the instant quote before you pay anything.
How long does it take?
Typically eight to twelve weeks. The Road Carrier Permit sets the pace, so it is lodged first and everything else runs alongside it.
How do I know it is a foreign tour operator and not another category?
Check the quote before sending it.
Can I start driving tourists while the permit is pending?
No. Until the Road Carrier Permit and the NTB registration are issued, carrying tourists for payment is an offence, and most insurers will not pay out on an unregistered operation.
Do you handle it for me?
Yes. We prepare the file, chase the municipality and the other offices, walk you through the inspection list and lodge with the NTB. You sign, we do the running.