Namibia has recently introduced a significant update to its visa policy program for international visitors by requiring citizens of 31 countries to obtain a visa on arrival.
These updates will be in force starting April 1, 2025, and are intended to simplify the entry process and enhance security measures for international visitors while also due in response to these countries’ refusal to lift their visa requirements for Namibian citizens. VisaGuide.World reports.
Citizens of Countries That Do Not Apply Visa Waiver for Namibians Must Obtain an E-visa
As Namibian authorities explain, those countries that have not reciprocated Namibia’s visa waiver gesture will also be able to obtain an electronic visa (e-Visa).
However, such a decision was initially expected to be implemented in October 2024. Last May, Namibia announced its intention to introduce visa requirements for citizens of countries that require visas for Namibian nationals.
The list of countries that do not apply visa waiver reciprocity for Namibian visitors and also are affected by this new measure are as follows:
- Armenia
- Austria
- Azerbaijan
- Belgium
- Belarus
- Canada
- Denmark
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Japan
- Kazakhstan
- Kyrgyzstan
- Liechtenstein
- Luxembourg
- Moldova
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Portugal
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Tajikistan
- Turkmenistan
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
- United States
- Uzbekistan
Namibia argues that its relationship with these countries has been one-sided, exempting its travelers from visa restrictions, but they have not retaliated.
Namibia Announces Visa Fee Changes
In addition, the Namibian Cabinet has also announced an increase in visa fees, effective April 1 2024. The following visa fees include:
- N$1,600, approximately US$88, for nationals of non-African Union countries;
- N$1,200 (US$67) for nationals of African Union member states who meet the requirements to obtain a visa on arrival.
This new visa policy follows a reveal that the EU rejected a third of African applicants for Schengen visas in 2023, with around 670,000 out of 2.5 million applications rejected. Rejected visa applications from Africans accounted for nearly 41 percent of the funds the EU collected from visa fees globally in 2023.
After the COVID-19 pandemic, Namibia has tried to restore the flow of tourists to pre-pandemic levels, which were 1.8 million tourists per year.
As a result, last year’s new tourism statistics report reveals that the country welcomed 1.05 million visitors in 2023.
During the same period, the country welcomed 863,872 international visitors, a significant increase from the 461,027 recorded in 2022.
Based on the VisaGuide Passport Index, the Namibian passport is ranked 128th worldwide as of July 2024. Thus, Namibian citizens have the right to travel without visas to 53 countries around the world. On the other hand, Namibian passport holders must apply for a visa in advance to enter the remaining countries.