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Namibia Looks to Implement Visas for 31 Countries

By Matt Turner Jun 10, 2024 12:12pm


Namibia could soon implement a visa program for countries that have not reciprocated “the favorable treatment,” which would include the United States, along with 30 other countries. Namibia’s Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security says this move was deemed necessary “to ensure parity and fairness in diplomatic interactions.” It adds, however, that the measure “is not intended to hinder legitimate travel.”

No official start date has been announced yet. The nationals from the 31 countries will need to fill out an online visa application prior to travel or be issued a visa upon arrival in Namibia “at an applicable fee.”


Following the announcement, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Business Council Tourism Alliance expressed “deep concern” regarding the restrictive visa regime, adding it “could severely hamper the country's tourism industry and economic growth.”

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 said the SADC Business Council Tourism Alliance. The implementation of stricter visa requirements could have a detrimental impact on various sectors of Namibia's economy, including tourism, hospitality, transportation and retail—all of which rely heavily on international visitors.

The alliance continued: “Evidence from across Africa, including success stories from Rwanda and Zambia, demonstrates that visa liberalization significantly boosts tourism, foreign investment and overall economic growth. A more open visa policy attracts a diverse range of visitors, including business travelers, investors and tourists, who contribute to the economy through spending, job creation and tax revenue.”

Several African countries, including those within the SADC, are moving towards more liberal visa policies. Namibia risks falling behind its regional peers and losing its competitive edge as a tourist destination if it adopts a more restrictive approach.


Instead of tightening visa restrictions, the SADC Business Council Tourism Alliance says Namibia should 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.

https://www.namibian.com.na/ne...sa-regime-ill-timed/

‘New visa regime ill-timed’


By Tracy Tafirenyika

27 May 2024

Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB) chief executive Nangula Uaandja says the decision by the government to impose a visa regime on about 31 countries from the traditional tourist markets of Europe is ill-timed.

She told The Namibian yesterday that a new visa regime mooted by the government on countries that are not reciprocating Namibia’s visa on arrival policy will dent the economy.

“Given the unemployment challenges we are facing as well as the need to fast track the recovery of our tourism sector from the impact of Covid-19, the timing of this decision is definitely less than ideal,” Uaandja said.


“I believe the decision has been made based on equally valid points by those we have entrusted to make it. Therefore, I believe as Namibians, we must accept this decision and focus on what needs to be done to minimize its impact on our employment and economy,” she said.

She said the tourism sector is one of Namibia’s priority sectors that employs a good number of Namibians and contributes significantly to the GDP.

Uaandja said although the tourism sector understands the international laws, the sector pleads for the most effective and efficient as well as friendly service.


“Everything we are talking about is based on assumptions, none of us have made the study and calculations to determine the real impact and consider ways how we can ensure Namibia comes out the winner. Let us focus on that,” she said.

Last week, cabinet made a decision to allow the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security to impose a visa regime on all countries that are not allowing Namibians into their country without applying for visa’s.

These decision will affect visitors from 37 countries including Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong (SAR), Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Macau (SAR), Mauritius, Moldova and the Netherlands.

Other countries to be affected include New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Russia, Seychelles, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tanzania, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, the United States and Uzbekistan.

Countries with reciprocal visa arrangements, such as Angola, Botswana, South Africa and Zimbabwe, will not be affected by the upcoming changes.

Uaandja said that although there are two sides to this decision, there is a case to be made for both the economic and political argument.

“While I personally subscribe to the economic side of the coin, I understand where cabinet is coming from and have had personal experiences that make that case even more appealing.

“Therefore, I believe our global partner countries and visitors from those countries should really use this decision to reflect on how they view, group, stereotype and treat Africans. Maybe it is time for a new conversation and a different way of engagement,” she said.

Uaandja said those entrusted with marketing Namibia should focus on promoting Namibia for what the country is.

“If we make a good point of making a compelling case for why Namibia, I am sure tourists and investors alike will continue to flock to Namibia,” she said.

Very funny!

The West, in their infinite stupidity, have such convoluted visa system that defies comprehension!

A friend, from a European country, married to an Egyptian lady.

It takes him weeks to get visa to England.

Illegal immigrants just walk in.

Get free housing, money and a comfortable life!

Namibia is right to complain about this non-reciprocal treatment.

They are even right to do more than just complain.

They are right to require visas for visitors from foreign nations that require visas from Namibians who want to visit their countries.

Of course, from a purely selfish perspective, it will make things incrementally more difficult for foreign hunters from the West.

But of course we in the USA already need visas to hunt in many other African nations, so it will not be out of the ordinary.

Not what I want to hear when I am leaving for Namibia in less than 60 days.

ANOTHER hoop to jump through. It is zero wonder that safari hunting is down.

quote:

Originally posted by KevinNY:
Not what I want to hear when I am leaving for Namibia in less than 60 days.

Kevin,

Ask your travel agent to apply for your visa. you have time to have one in place before you depart.

If you need to do your visa in Namibia, try to find out what line you need to be in when you enter the terminal. being in the wrong line leads to lost time.

Also, see if you can have your PH, Email you the paperwork you need to fill out on entry and have it filled out and with your passport when you enter the terminal. They will ask for it, and having a copy for your self.

this will reduce the time spent going through lines.

Also, have your firearm entry paperwork filled out on line and make a few paper copies. the booth is on the west side of the terminal. have a working ink pen in case you need to sign some papers.

Also, this is a good place to sink your cell phone to the network so you can make phone calls or text messages while in the country.

quote:

Originally posted by clayman216:
ANOTHER hoop to jump through. It is zero wonder that safari hunting is down.

Very sad indeed.

But blame your own country, which makes one go through all sorts of hoops to get a visa.

quote:

Originally posted by KevinNY:
Not what I want to hear when I am leaving for Namibia in less than 60 days.

We are located at: 1605 New Hampshire Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20009. Please contact us through any of the following means if we can be of assistance:

Email: consular@namibiaembassyusa.org
Tel: 202-986-0540

I spoke to the Namibian Embassy on Friday and they echoed what has been poster here.
No implementation date has been set and if it does go into effect it would be a simple issue upon arrival visa.

quote:

But blame your own country, which makes one go through all sorts of hoops to get a visa.

Visa? You don’t need no stinking’ visa. No hoops, just come across the southern border, no waiting! Thousands are doing it every day. There’s even an App to smooth any problems encountered .

quote:

Originally posted by K Evans:

quote:

But blame your own country, which makes one go through all sorts of hoops to get a visa.

Visa? You don’t need no stinking’ visa. No hoops, just come across the southern border, no waiting! Thousands are doing it every day. There’s even an App to smooth any problems encountered .

Exactly!

As long as you comics an IILEGAL!

quote:

Originally posted by Saeed:

quote:

Originally posted by K Evans:

quote:

But blame your own country, which makes one go through all sorts of hoops to get a visa.

Visa? You don’t need no stinking’ visa. No hoops, just come across the southern border, no waiting! Thousands are doing it every day. There’s even an App to smooth any problems encountered .

Exactly!

As long as you comics an IILEGAL!

Yep…damned shame, too.
I imagine if this is implemented it will greatly increase the already long time it takes to clear immigration. It took us almost 2.5 hours to clear immigration last Sept, arriving in Windhoek, on Qatar, lots of passengers and only 2 officers clearing (but I think Qatar has dropped that flight). Hopefully, they will reconsider, but really can’t blame them if they adopt the policy.

It is always better to get your visa in advance.

UPDATE:

https://atta.travel/resource/n...sa-requirements.html

No one has needed a visa to enter the USA for over three years now.

quote:

Originally posted by Aspen Hill Adventures:
No one has needed a visa to enter the USA for over three years now.

Only the ones entering legally have to pay.

Black is white.

Men in women’s sport.

We are a FREE country.

quote:

Originally posted by Aspen Hill Adventures:
No one has needed a visa to enter the USA for over three years now.

Only if you intend fording the river, cutting through fences and "knowing" someone on the other side.