NAMIBIA ANNOUNCES VISA REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTAIN COUNTRIES

Countries that require Namibians to get visas before entering are in for a surprise. The Namibian government has decided to implement a visa levy for those countries.

The change will come into effect in 2025 for more than 30 countries. They include Australia, Canada, France, Ireland, The Netherlands and the United Kingdom.

Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security deputy minister Lucia Witbooi made the announcement to Namibia’s cabinet on Thursday.

She said the new requirement is a result of countries who haven’t relaxed their entry requirement for Namibians since the 33 years that the country gained its independence.

Countries like Canada and the United Kingdom scrapped their visa-free entry requirements for Namibians in the last 10 years.

The required visa can be obtained on arrival and will require a levy of R1,600. Because the visa doesn’t include a lengthy application process weeks or months before travelling, Witbooi believes it won’t have a negative effect on the country’s tourism industry.

She said that all decisions are made to further the interests of Namibian nationals.

The South African reports that the entry requirements for Namibia will include but aren’t limited to, a return ticket, medical insurance, proof of means of sustenance while in Namibia, not being wanted by any country for criminal activities and a passport valid for at least six months on the date of arrival.

Image credit: Nurall