Visas & Entry Requirements

Do I need a visa to travel to Namibia?

That depends on the passport you are travelling on. Namibia changed its visa regime on 1 April 2025, introducing new visa requirements for nationals of a number of countries that previously travelled visa-free. At the same time, many travellers remain visa-exempt, while others are eligible to apply for a visa on arrival.

The important thing is not to assume that the rules which applied on your previous visit still apply today. Visa arrangements can change, and travellers should always check the latest requirements before booking or travelling.

Visa-free travel

Namibia still has reciprocal visa-exemption agreements with a number of countries. Travellers using eligible passports may enter Namibia without applying for a holiday visa in advance, subject to the normal immigration requirements at the port of entry.

The list of visa-exempt countries can change, so rather than relying on an old list copied onto a travel website, we recommend checking the current list published by Namibia’s Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security before departure.

Visa on arrival

Since 1 April 2025, travellers from a number of countries are required to obtain a visa in order to enter Namibia. Many of these travellers are eligible for Namibia’s visa-on-arrival system.

A visa on arrival can either be applied for online before travelling or, at designated ports of entry, completed on arrival. Applying online in advance can save time at immigration and gives you the opportunity to confirm your documentation before you leave home.

Not every Namibian border post is able to issue visas on arrival, so this becomes particularly important if you are entering Namibia by road. If your passport requires a visa, check that your intended border crossing is approved for visa-on-arrival processing before setting off.

How long can I stay?

A holiday visa may be issued for multiple entry and for a period of up to 90 days in a calendar year, provided that the immigration requirements are met. You should request the number of days you actually need for your trip rather than assuming that 90 days will automatically be granted.

If your visa is issued for fewer days than you require, extensions may be possible through designated immigration offices in Namibia. It is far easier, however, to make sure that the dates granted on entry cover your intended stay before leaving the immigration counter.

What should I have with me?

Immigration officials may ask travellers to show evidence supporting the purpose and duration of their stay. Depending on the type of visa and your circumstances, this may include proof of accommodation, a return or onward ticket and evidence that you have sufficient funds for your visit.

If you have applied for an e-visa, make sure that the visa itself has been issued before travelling. An approval letter or proof of payment on its own is not necessarily sufficient for entry into Namibia.

Visa fees

Visa fees depend on the traveller’s nationality and age. Under the current visa regime, different fees apply to travellers from African Union countries and those from other countries, while children between the ages of 6 and 11 generally pay a reduced fee and children under 6 are exempt.

Because fees and eligible-country lists can be amended, it is best to confirm the current amount directly through Namibia’s official immigration portal when you apply.

Yellow fever certificates

Travellers arriving from, or who have recently travelled through, certain yellow-fever-risk countries may be required to present a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate and report to Port Health before completing immigration formalities.

This requirement depends on your recent travel history rather than simply your nationality, so check the current health-entry requirements if your journey includes a yellow-fever-risk country.

Travelling with children

Families travelling with children under the age of 18 should carry a full birth certificate showing the child’s parents, in addition to the child’s passport and any visa documentation that applies.

If a child is travelling with only one parent, the other parent should provide written consent for the child to travel. It is sensible to carry this as a signed consent letter or affidavit together with a copy of the absent parent’s identification or passport.

If one of the parents named on the birth certificate is deceased, carry a copy of the death certificate. Where a child is travelling with a guardian, another adult or without either parent, additional consent and identification documents may be required.

Namibian immigration authorities may apply these checks on a risk basis, but travellers are strongly advised to carry the documentation to avoid delays or problems at immigration.

Requirements can also differ in neighbouring countries, so families travelling through South Africa, Botswana, Zambia or Angola should check the child-travel requirements for every country on the itinerary.

Check before you travel

Namibia’s immigration requirements are administered by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security. The Ministry maintains the current lists of visa-exempt nationalities, countries eligible for visa on arrival, designated ports of entry and the online visa application system.

Visa rules are one of those travel details that are worth checking twice: once when you start planning your trip and again shortly before departure.