visa namibia
Namibia has announced a major visa policy change, ending its long-standing visa-free entry for travellers from the U.S. and 32 other nations.
The decision, which is based on diplomatic reciprocity, means that nationals from countries where Namibians are subject to a visa requirement will now require a visa for entry into Namibia.
The directive, which came into effect on April 1 followed a decision taken by the Namibian cabinet in July 2024.
The move, which is backed by Namibia’s first female president, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, is in response to the US and other Western nations denying visa-free entry to Namibians.
Other countries affected by the decision include Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, France, Germany, Belgium, Italy, and Japan.
Others are: Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Ireland, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Moldova, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan
The European countries have been enjoying visa-free access to the country, including its biggest tourism source.
The US embassy in Namibia has already issued a public advisory on the change, recommending American citizens apply ahead of travel.
Following the announcement, over 500 US citizens who had been mining diamonds, gold, uranium, copper, and other minerals in Namibia without visas applied for visas to continue mining but were all denied and ordered to leave the country or be deported.
The Namibian government has insisted that the new policy is about equity and mutual respect, rather than punishment.
The Namibian authorities have emphasized that the change is part of a broader strategy to assert sovereignty and demand equal treatment on the global stage.
Also Read: President Ruto Removes Visa Restrictions To Kenya
