Guide - Immigration & Customs
Immigration and Customs
IMMIGRATION
ALL persons entering Northern Rhodesia are required by law to present themselves to an Immigration Officer within twenty-four hours of entry. The following synopsis of the immigration laws of Northern Rhodesia will serve as a useful guide to persons entering the country:
Every person who seeks to enter Northern Rhodesia must be—
(1) In possession of a valid passport.
(2) Able to read and write in a European language to the satisfaction of an Immigration Officer.
(3) Of good character and free from convictions for serious crime.
(4) Mentally sound and free from infectious diseases.
(5) (a) In possession of a sum of money which is considered by the Immigration Department as sufficient to ensure that such person will not become a charge on the Govern-ment—the amount would depend on circumstances.
(b) Able to satisfy an Immigration Officer that bona fide employment awaits him in the Territory with an employer of repute, for a period of not less than six months, and at the time of entry to be in possession of a letter or contract in support of such employment showing the nature and period of the work and proposed wage: or
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(c) On a temporary visit to the Territory, in which case he must be able to produce evidence of a permanent residence outside the Territory with the intention of returning thereto, and have sufficient means to maintain himself during the visit.
Aliens require a visa on their passport authorising entry to Northern Rhodesia.
The following persons shall not be regarded as prohibited immigrants to the Territory—
(1) Any person born in Northern Rhodesia whose parents were domiciled in Northern Rhodesia at the time of his birth:
(2) Any person domiciled in Northern Rhodesia and the wife and children under sixteen yeas of age of such person.
" Domicile " means the place in which a person has his present home, or in which he resides r to which he returns as his present permanent abode, and not fora mere special or temporary purpose. A person acquires domicil in Northern Rhodesia when he has resided therein for not less than three years, other than temporary or conditional residence, and he loses domicile when he voluntarily leaves the Territory to reside outside it (other than for a temporary purpose), or if he is absent for a period exceeding three years.
CUSTOMS
Persons arriving to settle in Northern Rhodesia are allowed a rebate of customs duties on household effects to the value of £150 for each adult and £50 for each child, up to a total rebate of £500 for any one family. This rebate is only allowed if the effects accompany the settler or are imported within such time as the Comptroller of Customs may deem fit. A settler is regarded as a person entering the Territory for the first time to reside therein and the term " settler's effects " includes all used household goods, e.g., linen, carpets, glassware, crockery, plate, furniture, domestic electrical appliances, sewing machines, wireless sets, musical instruments, etc., but NOT motor vehicles, arms, ammunition, provisions or any unused goods. These are dutiable at
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normal rates. Generally speaking, customs duties vary between 10 and 30 per cent. on dutiable goods imported into the Territory.
Golf Tournament at Luanshya.
