By Ebi Kesiena
Namibia has announced a new visa policy targeting citizens from 31 countries, including Germany, who will now be required to obtain a visa to enter Namibia unless their home countries reciprocate visa-free access for Namibians.
The affected nations include Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, and the United States, among others.
Executive Director at Namibia’s Ministry of Home Affairs, Etienne Maritz stated that the move is designed to promote fairness in diplomatic relations, as Namibia has long offered visa-free entry to many countries without receiving the same treatment in return.
Under the updated policy, travelers from these nations can apply for a visa upon arrival in Namibia after completing an online application and paying a fee.
The German African Business association had called on Germany to reconsider its visa policy toward Namibia to facilitate easier business travel between the two nations.
However, details on the implementation of this policy, including the start date, is yet to be communicated and will sent through diplomatic channels.
Meanwhile, Namibians Enjoy Visa-Free Access to 53 Countries
As of May 2024, Namibian passport holders can travel visa-free to 53 countries, according to the VisaGuide Passport Index, which ranks the Namibian passport 127th globally, Namibians still need visas for 124 countries around the world.
