Citizens from 32 countries that do not reciprocate Namibia's visa waiver will require a paid visa on arrival (here at Hosea Kutako International Airport) from 1 April 2025. These include Germany, France, Great Britain and the USA. Photos of the passports: Wikipedia. Photo of Hosea Kutako International Airport: Sven-Eric Stender
Citizens from countries that do not grant Namibians visa-free travel should be able to obtain the upcoming necessary holiday visa smoothly. This was assured by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security (MHAISS) to the travel industry during a high-level meeting on Wednesday.
The Tour and Safari Association (TASA) announced the discussed regulations in a press release yesterday evening. Combined with what was already finalised, the picture is as follows.
The visa requirement will apply from 1 April 2025 to all citizens from countries that do not reciprocate Namibia's visa-free regime.
These include Germany, Switzerland and Austria as well as the Netherlands, France and Italy. Great Britain and the USA are also on the list of 32 countries published by the Ministry of Home Affairs last year.
The fee is 1,600 Namibia Dollar (currently just under 83 euros; amount at the current exchange rate 1 N$ = 1 rand) for citizens of a country that is not a member of the African Union (for comparison: A Namibian pays 90 euros for a Schengen visa). There is no discount for children.
Visa available online and upon arrival
It should be possible to apply for the visa online in advance using the application form available there. However, a website address has not yet been provided.
Editor's note from Namibian.org: The existing application page for a holiday visa does NOT apply to the new visa valid from 1 April 2025. It is aimed at citizens of countries for which a visa requirement has already existed for a long time.
The fee mentioned on this page is only N$ 600. However, the requirements are significantly higher than those of the new visa. They are similar to those of the Schengen visa (invitation, deed of surety, bank statement for 6 months, etc.).
The new visa, which comes into effect on 1 April, can also be applied for on arrival. The form required for this will replace the existing entry form, which is available on aeroplanes and at border posts.
As is customary internationally, the Interpol database will be consulted when checking the visa application.
Visa fee also payable by credit card
It will be possible to pay the visa fee by credit card. The Ministry wants to equip the entry counters with card payment machines. This applies to the international airports near Windhoek and in Walvis Bay and the main border posts.
The visa covers multiple entry, as required for cruise holidaymakers or in case of excursions to the Victoria Falls, for example.
The exit form on departure will no longer be required in order to simplify the exit process and free up staff at the immigration counters.
The Ministry intends to regularly review the list of countries with visa requirements by determining the visa regulations applying to Namibians in the countries concerned.
The Ministry had already announced the visa requirement in May 2024 (see report on Namibian.org [https://namibian.org/news/tourism/debate-in-namibia-about-new-visa-requirements-for-holidaymakers]). The required publication in the Gazette is still pending.
Sven-Eric Stender
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