The government of Namibia has officially enacted new visa requirements for nationals from the United States, the United Kingdom, and 31 other countries, marking a significant policy shift from previous visa-free entry protocols.
South Africa is not effected.
The changes came into effect on 1 April 2025, shortly after the inauguration of the country’s first female president, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, on 25 March.
This policy was originally approved by the Namibian Parliament in July 2024 and aims to address longstanding issues around reciprocity in international travel agreements.
“The Namibian Government’s decision to impose visa requirements is not one of aggression, but fairness,” stated the Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation in a circular sent to all diplomatic missions.
“Countries that do not grant reciprocal visa exemptions to Namibian passport holders are now required to obtain visas on arrival when visiting Namibia.”
New visa-on-arrival requirements
Under the new policy:
- Visa-on-arrival fees are set at N$1 200 for African Union countries and N$1 600 for all other nations.
- Affected travellers are required to present a valid visa upon arrival at Namibian ports of entry.
The change follows the UK’s 2023 decision to revoke visa-free access for Namibian citizens, and mirrors broader global trends in reassessing bilateral visa arrangements.
Deportation of non-compliant foreign nationals
In conjunction with the policy change, President Nandi-Ndaitwah has announced the deportation of over 500 US nationals currently residing in Namibia without valid visas.
According to official sources, the deportations target individuals who have:
- Overstayed their permitted time in Namibia, or
- Entered the country without adhering to immigration protocols
“These individuals are currently being served with deportation notices,” a senior government source confirmed.
“The new administration remains committed to upholding immigration laws and ensuring all residents and visitors remain compliant.”
This move underscores the Namibian government’s focus on fairness, legal compliance, and sovereign policy enforcement as part of its broader international relations strategy.
Full list of countries that require visas to enter Namibia:
- Armenia
- Australia
- Austria
- Azerbaijan
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Canada
- Denmark
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Japan
- Kazakhstan
- Kyrgyzstan
- Liechtenstein
- Luxemburg
- Moldova
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Norway
- Portugal
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Tajikistan
- Turkmenistan
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
- United States of America
- Uzbekistan
Do you fear for Namibia once Donald Trump hears about this move?
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