Namibia to enforce new visa requirement next year

02 Jul 2024 - by Dale Hes

Namibia will officially enforce its visa requirement for non-reciprocating countries from April 1, 2025, while also increasing the cost of visa fees for travellers from non-African Union (AU) Member States.

In May, Namibia’s Cabinet controversially approved the introduction of a visa requirement for 31 previously visa-exempt countries, including top tourism source markets such as Austria, Belgium, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland, the UK and the US. Travellers from the affected countries will now be required to apply for a visa on arrival.

The implementation modalities were announced by Namibia’s Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security (MHAISS) on social media on Saturday, June 29.

“Countries that have not reciprocated Namibia’s gesture of visa exemption will qualify for a visa on arrival and online application effective April 1, 2025,” the Ministry posted.

Industry concerns

A number of industry leaders have spoken out about this new visa requirement. This includes the SADC Business Council Tourism Alliance that says it could severely hamper the country's tourism industry and economic growth.

According to a recent statement by the Council Alliance, this policy shift appears to contradict Namibia Airports Company’s recently launched air access strategy, “Air Connect Namibia”, aimed at increasing international flights and connectivity.

“A restrictive visa regime can negatively impact the entire tourism value chain,” says Natalia Rosa, Project Lead for the SADC Business Council Tourism Alliance. “It hinders not only leisure travel but also business travel, conferences, events, education, and trade, thereby limiting overall economic growth and development,” she added.

Instead of tightening visa restrictions, said Rosa, Namibia could explore alternative solutions such as implementing more efficient visa processing systems (e.g. e-visas), targeted visa waivers for specific groups, or enhanced security measures at borders.

Gitta Paetzold, CEO of the Hospitality Association of Namibia (HAN), agreed, telling Tourism Update in response to the news last month that the decision flies in the face of significant strides made by the private sector and government to present Namibia as open, easily-accessible and welcoming to travellers and investors.

“For a number of years now, the Namibian tourism private sector and the MHAISS have collaborated in a concerted programme to enhance Namibia’s attractiveness to both tourists and potential investors, easing Namibia's visa regime, introducing visas on arrival for some countries and adding to the list of visa-exempt countries,” said Paetzold.