My understanding is it costs $500 to get a residents' permit. Are you are former Zim national? If so, I don't know if the charges are different. You have to go to the Immigration house in Harare to expedite your papers. A list is on the wall with all the documents you need to present. It includes: a sponsor (with deeds of property, their bank statements), an application form for you... well, best to check when you get there because this is what I had to present for a spouse resident's visa. Good luck

THERE ARE NO TRANSPORTATION MEANS FOR NORMAL PEOPLE. THE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION IS THESE BEYOND DESRIPTION CHICKEN BUSES .EITHER YOU HAVE YOUR OWN CAR OR FORGET IT. THE COST OF LIVING IS VERY HIGH. MOST OF THE LOCAL PEOPLE ARE UNEMPLOYED AND HAVE BECOME BEGGARS SPREAD ALL OVER HARARE. THERE ARE POWER CUTS JUST LIKE THAT, EVERYDAY, EVERYWHERE. THE TAP WATER IS HORRIBLE AND IT STINKS. THE ROADS ARE IN A TERRIBLE CONDITION, FULL OF POTHOLES. CORRUPTION IS EVERYWHERE AND THERE IS NO COMMON SENSE WHEN YOU HAVE TO DEAL WITH ANY PUBLIC SERVICE. After more than a decade — in which the country suffered hyper-inflation of 231 million percent and infrastructure that crumbled as quickly as prices went up — the situation is now more stable. But public finances remain a mess and local business battles against unstable electricity supplies, lack of liquidity and high labour costs.Some people are managing to make a life in Zimbabwe and the secret to success seems to be; a good income. You have to ask yourself before you even start on the lifestyle problems ........ Would you be able to live comfortably with the politics? Although the economic outlook in Zimbabwe has improved, political tensions remain. Zimbabwe is a wonderful place to live and has a few to offer. However, at present as you probably know, the economy is at a standstill and life is quite hard. In less than a generation life in Zimbabwe has gone from being a success story to one of grinding poverty for many of the population. Much of this poverty can be attributed to the change from large scale farm production which provided a surplus for overseas sales to the land grab which in handing over white held land to the local population many of whom had neither the skills nor the knowledge to successfully maintain it. As a result commercial farming and food production was severely damaged. Despite the abundance of natural resources and the high literacy rate, Zimbabwe remains one of the poorest countries in Africa today with the unemployment rate around 92% (including underemployment). Majority of Zimbabweans today live below poverty line which implies majority of Zimbabweans today live on less than $1.25 a day. Just like in most other African countries, corruption levels remain at all-time high. There are widespread reports of systematic and escalating violations of human rights in Zimbabwe. There are also abuses of media rights and access. Taxes and tariffs are high for private enterprises, while state enterprises are strongly subsidised. State regulation is costly to companies; starting or closing a business is slow and costly. The wealthier portion of the population usually sends their children to independent schools as opposed to the government-run schools which are attended by the majority as these are subsidised by the government. Medical facilities are basic and limited. Bigger ailments can be treated in expensive hospitals .Most serious illnesses or accidents require medical evacuation to South Africa. There is a moderate level of crime, including occasional armed robberies targeting foreign residents. Make sure your accommodation is secure at all times. Mugging, pick pocketing and jewellery theft are common in city centres, especially after dark. Be particularly careful at Harare airport, and when leaving banks and cash points. Don’t carry large amounts of cash. Avoid travelling around alone. There are frequent power cuts that affect the whole country, sometimes for days at a time, as well as occasional fuel and water shortages. The Zimbabwean mobile phone network and land lines are unreliable. There are often deep potholes in the roads. Traffic lights are often out of action. Avoid driving outside the main towns at night, as vehicles are often poorly lit and roads badly marked. Abandoned unlit heavy goods vehicles, cyclists without lights, pedestrians and stray livestock are particular hazards. It is an offence to continue driving when the President's motorcade goes past, no matter which side of the road you are on. If you see the motorcade, pull off the road or onto the side of the road if this is not possible. There have been a number of incidents where people have been assaulted by the security forces for stopping in the wrong place or for not stopping soon enough. Public transport and services are unreliable. Buses are overcrowded, inadequately maintained, uninsured, and recklessly driven. You should avoid them. There have been incidents of assault on tourists’ hitch hiking and travelling in unlicensed buses. Level crossings are poorly marked. Each year there are a number of fatal accidents. Avoid political activity, or in activities which could be construed as such, including political discussions in public places, or criticism of the President. It is an offence to make derogatory or insulting comments about President. IT'S A NIGHTMARE

You would be better off in Zambia. I have lived in Zambia for over two years. I love it as my Wife does too. She teaches preschool.