Namibia’s Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security has officially launched visas on arrival at the Oshikango, Mohembo, Oranjemund, Ariamsvlei, and Noordoewer border posts.

The country has also introduced a new visa-on-arrival programme at Walvis Bay Harbour in an effort to improve cruise tourism.

Previously, visas on arrival were only possible at Hosea Kutako International Airport, followed by Walvis Bay Airport, and the Katima Mulilo, Ngoma, Impalila Island, and Trans-Kalahari border posts.

The Minister of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security, Albert Kawana, said the new visa-on-arrival scheme had been triggered by a boom in tourism.

The number of tourists visiting Namibia was partly thanks to measures the government had put in place, such as online visas and visas on arrival, said Kawana.

“Upon entry into Namibia, our visitors are requested to pay for their visas online, because we have installed speed points at designated border points. The money is paid directly into the state revenue account, thereby eliminating temptations associated with handling cash,” he noted.

Kawana added that tourists from countries where Namibia had no diplomatic representation no longer need to apply in advance before departing their countries.

However, this still excludes people coming to Namibia for work purposes, who would still require a visa.

The visa-on-arrival costs N$1 200 (€60) and is valid for 90 days.

Gitta Paetzold, CEO of the Hospitality Association of Namibia, told Tourism Update that Walvis Bay Harbour had seen a huge rise in cruise liners docking, which allowed passengers to set foot on the ground in Namibia and enjoy a day or two of what the country had to offer.

“The tourism sector views the visa regime of a country as the key to allowing easy access to the country and, as such, the progressive steps taken by the Ministry in recent years have increased Namibia's accessibility and attractiveness as a tourism destination tremendously,” she said.

Christiaan Jacobie, Public Relations Officer at Gondwana Collection Namibia, said Gondwana believed there was an increase in the number of visitors coming to the country as a whole and that the issuance of visas on arrival would positively impact this.  

“We are still looking at how to slot in with this new announcement. We are very happy that this will make it easier for visitors to travel to Namibia. It opens a lot of doors and opportunities for us,” he said.

Jacobie added that, besides the accommodation Gondwana offered, it also had the Namibia2Go car-rental company, as well as its DMC, the Gondwana Travel Centre.

“So, there are a lot of opportunities where different aspects of Gondwana can involve itself in the new visa on arrival. The opportunities are there and it is very exciting to be a part of it as it is also very stimulating for the Namibian economy.”