For travellers from these 47 countries below, going to Namibia, a country in Southern Africa, has become easier than before. With this new visa-on-arrival policy, Namibia is more or less throwing its doors wide open for nationals of these countries. Under the new visa on arrival policy, all three categories of passports, whether ordinary, diplomatic and official or service passports are accommodated for purposes of the visa issuance on arrival.
Here Is All You Need To Know
- According to Namibian Home Affairs and Immigration Minister Frans Kapofi the launch of the tourist or visitor visas on arrival project excludes people coming to Namibia for employment purposes which obliges such people to apply and acquire employment permits in advance.
- Visas on arrival will benefit the certain categories of visitors, which include bona fide tourists (excluding tour guides who are required to obtain employment permits or work visa in advance).
- Other categories include potential investors coming to explore business opportunities; visitors coming to attend meetings, seminars, workshops (excluding those coming to perform pay related jobs which still requires one to obtain an employment permit or work visas).
- The other category includes friendships and family related visits; or medical related visits.
The List of Selected Countries
The current 27 African countries selected are Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Cameroon, Central Africa Republic (CAR), Chad, Comoros, Cote d’Ivoire, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Gabon, The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Madagascar, Mauritania, Niger, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Sierra Leone, Togo, Tunisia, Western Sahara Republic and Uganda.
Other countries include Belarus, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Chile, Czech Republic Hungary, Mexico, Moldova, Nicaragua, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, South Korea, Venezuela, Vietnam, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Singapore and Ukraine.
The Fate Of Other Countries Not Included In The List Above
According to Kapofi, Namibia does not have a far-reaching diplomatic representation and network across the world.
“Thus, our visitors from specific countries no longer need to apply in advance before departing their countries of origin for tourism, visiting, or transiting through Namibia. Along with this principal decision by the government, Namibia exempted over 60 countries from visa requirements when their citizens are to visit Namibia for tourism purposes,” he noted.
He said these are not the only countries to include on the list for visas on arrival, but this is an ongoing process, which will see more countries brought on board in future.
“In this spirit, we ask other countries to reciprocate or offer Namibia similar visa relaxed benefits for the good of all of us,” he said.
The Procedure For Obtaining Visa On Arrival
- Kapofi noted that the procedure will require a visitor to complete a visa application form as he or she arrives at Hosea Kutako International airport.
- He will then submit the completed application form together with one’s passport to an immigration officer who will process the application.
- Upon approval of the application, the immigration officer will request the applicant to make a payment of N$1080.
- To facilitate the payment process, Kapofi said passengers are encouraged to carry credit or debit cards, as speed points are available.
- When credit or debit cards are not functioning, provision will be made for exchange of foreign currency at bureau de changes at the airport.
- He emphasised that for a visitor to be admitted in Namibia, the immigration officials are still obliged to make the usual background checks, including whether the individual is not a prohibited immigrant in Namibia or do not appear on other watch lists.
- It is also required that his or her passport is at least valid for a period of not less than six months from the date of arrival and there should be sufficient pages for endorsement of visas, at least not less than three blank pages.
- The period for tourism or visits in Namibia per year is 90 days, which may be granted at once or as per the discretion of the immigration officer at the entry point depending on information provided. The tourist or visitor may apply for extension while in Namibia, which may be granted subject to the payment of a fee of N$580 (including N$80 handling or administrative fee) and reasons advanced.
Airports Currently Used To Implement The Policy
Hosea Kutako International Airport is being used for visas on arrival as a first pilot Phase of this project.
The next phase is Walvis Bay International Airport that will be issuing visas on arrival by end of October 2019; Katima Mulilo Border Post will start by end November 2019; and, Noordoewer, Ariamsvlei, Oshikango, Trans Kalahari and Oranjemund will start in the first quarter of 2020.
Charles Rapulu Udoh
Charles Rapulu Udoh is a Lagos-based Lawyer with special focus on Business Law, Intellectual Property Rights, Entertainment and Technology Law. He is also an award-winning writer. Working for notable organizations so far has exposed him to some of industry best practices in business, finance strategies, law, dispute resolution, and data analytics both in Nigeria and across the world