Written By Lisa Murimi
Starting next April, Namibia will require visas for nationals from Canada, Germany, the US, the UK, and 29 other countries. This new policy targets nations that mandate visas for Namibian passport holders, aiming to ensure diplomatic parity.
“Namibia has extended gestures of goodwill and favourable treatment to nationals of various countries. However, despite these efforts, certain nations have not reciprocated,” stated Namibia’s immigration ministry in May.
These visitors can purchase a 90-day visa for $90 upon arrival in Namibia, a process less cumbersome than the requirements for African passport holders seeking visas for Western countries.
The British High Commissioner to Namibia, Charles Moore, acknowledged Namibia’s right to impose these regulations. “The UK unfortunately imposed a visa regime on Namibia last year due to the number of asylum seekers we were receiving,” he said, highlighting a significant increase in Namibian asylum applications since 2016.
Namibians, like Michelle Nehoya, welcome the change. “I think it is fair. It feels like Namibia is standing up for itself,” she said.
Social media reactions echoed this sentiment. One user commented, “Finally. I hope they also require them to submit a bible of documents, take medical tests, [and] Namibian language tests.”
Despite praise from citizens, the tourism industry expressed concern. The Hospitality Association of Namibia warned about the potential negative impact on global travel relations. However, tourism expert Soni Nrupesh believes the change will not deter visitors: “You can still get on a plane without a visa. It’s just when you get to the airport you will fill a form, pay the fees, and enter.”
Prospective travelers like Nehoya hope for future reciprocity in visa policies. “People come to Namibia, and they love it. But we also want to see what is happening on the other side,” she said, expressing a desire for easier travel to countries like Canada, the US, and the UK.
