Namibia Entry Requirements and Updated Visa on Arrival System

Introduction

Namibia has recently updated its visa policies to facilitate easier access for international travelers. Effective from 1 April 2025, the country has introduced a new Visa on Arrival (VOA) system, aiming to streamline entry procedures and promote tourism and investment.
This article provides a comprehensive overview of Namibia’s visa requirements, including the latest changes to its visa policies. It remains each traveller’s responsibility to check official sources, as this article is not intended to provide legal information.

General Entry Requirements

All visitors to Namibia have to meet the following criteria:

Valid Passport: Your must have a passport that is valid for at least six months beyond your intended date of entry and have at least three blank pages for entry and exit stamps.

Return Ticket: Possession of a valid return or onward travel ticket is mandatory.

Health Requirements: No vaccinations are needed, except a yellow fever vaccination if you come from a country where yellow fever is endemic.

Traveling with minors: Additional documents, including a full (unabridged) birth certificate are required. Read more here.

New Namibian Visa Regulations & Visa on Arrival

List of Countries That Need a Visa for Namibia

As of 1 April 2025, countries that do not have a reciprocal visa exemption agreement with Namibia will be required to obtain a visa before entering Namibia. This can be done online prior to travel or upon arrival.

Visa on Arrival Countries (Source)

African Countries:
Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Côte d’Ivoire, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Madagascar, Mauritania, Niger, Rwanda, São Tomé and Príncipe, Sierra Leone, Togo, Tunisia, Western Sahara Republic, Uganda. Other Countries:
Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Cambodia, Chile, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Mexico, Moldova, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Singapore, Slovakia, Spain, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Thailand, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vatican/Holy See, Venezuela, Vietnam.

This list of specific countries may change once reciprocal visa agreements are in place.

Passports with Visa Exemption to Namibia

Citizens from the following countries can enter Namibia without a visa and get a Visitor´s Entry Permit (VEP) endorsement stamp at the port of entry.

Visa-Exempt Countries (Source)

Angola
Botswana
Brazil
Cuba
Hong Kong (SAR)
Indonesia
Jamaica
Kenya
Lesotho
Macau (SAR)
Malawi
Malaysia
Mauritius
Mozambique
Russian Federation
Seychelles
Singapore
South Africa
Swaziland
Tanzania
Zambia
Zimbabwe

Any stays longer than 90 days per year or visits for non-tourist purposes like work or volunteering still require a visa, no matter which country you’re from.

How to Apply for a Visa on Arrival

1. E-Visa (Online Application)

To apply for an E-Visa:

Visit the official Namibian Ministry of Home Affairs e-services portal.
Register or login and select the “Visa on Arrival” under E-Services.
Check that your country is allowed to apply for a Visa on Arrival.
Click “New Visa on Arrival Application” to start the process (you will need to upload a passport photo and PDF scan of your passport).
With the application complete, click “Track and Pay Your Visa on Arrival” to pay securely online and check the status of your visa.
Once the visa has been approved, print the e-visa and gather all required documents to present to immigration upon entry.

2. In-Person Visa on Arrival (VOA)

If opting for a VOA:

Complete the Visa on Arrival form at your port of entry.
Provide necessary travel documents, including passport, travel itinerary, and proof of accommodation.
Pay the visa fee using a credit/debit card or cash.

New Visa Fees for Namibia

Visa fees are categorized as follows:

Non-African Nationals: NAD 1,600 (approximately USD 90)
African Nationals: NAD 1,200 (approximately USD 70)

Payments can be made using cash or card at designated entry points, as well as online with the e-visa application.

Visa Requirements (Documentation)

To apply for a visa, ensure you have:

Valid passport: With a minimum of six months’ validity and at least three blank pages.
Completed visa application form: Available online or at the port of entry.
Proof of accommodation and travel itinerary: Confirming your stay and travel plans within Namibia.
Medical/travel insurance: Covering potential health and travel-related issues.
Invitation letter: If applicable.
Full birth certificate and parental consent letter: If travelling with children.

Ports of Entry for Visa Processing

All major entry points, like Hosea Kutako International and Walvis Bay International Airport, can handle in-person visas on arrival and e-visas.

In-person visas on arrival & e-visas are processed at:
Hosea Kutako International Airport, Ariamsvlei, Impalila, Katima Mulilo, Mohembo, Ngoma,	Noordoewer, Oshikango, Oranjemund, Trans Kalahari Border Posts, Walvis Bay Harbour and Walvis Bay International Airport

Additionally, e-visas are facilitated at all official ports of entry except the ones below.

Entry points that cannot process e-visas:
Rundu Airport, Sarusungu Border Post, Nkurenkuru Border Post, Keetmanshoop Airport, Klein Manasse Border Post, Lüderitz Airport Gobabis Airport, Ondangwa Airport,	Dobe Border Post, Grootfontein Airport, Kasika Border Post, Mpacha Airport, Mata-mata Border Post, Singalamwe Border Post and Vioolsdrift

Tips for Namibia’s New Visa Requirements

Whatever your nationality, you can consult the website of the Namibian embassy for more information.

Check that the entry and exit stamps in your passport have the right dates (maximum three months from the date of entry, but at the very least until your return date).

Before visiting Namibia, consult your government’s travel website for updates on safety and security as well as changes to visa requirements.

New Namibian Visa FAQ

What’s the difference between the “Visa on Arrival” and the “Holiday Visa”?

Technically, they are the same thing – a tourist visa for visitors participating in leisure, sightseeing or conferences (non-working). The Visa on Arrival is new, valid for up to 30 days and required as from 1 April 2025. If your country is not eligible for a Visa on Arrival, you will have to apply for a Holiday Visa through the website or your closest Namibian embassy. If you want to stay up to 90 days, you can apply for a Holiday Visa or extend your Visa on Arrival once you’re in the country (before it expires).
Both types of visas are available on the Ministry of Home Affairs’ e-service website.

How long does the Visa on Arrival take?

According to the Namibian Ministry of Home Affairs, the Visa on Arrival takes 48 hours to process.

How does the online Visa on Arrival application work?

Register for the Ministry of Home Affairs’ e-Portal and log in. Select the “Visa on Arrival Application”. Complete all required fields and upload all needed documents. Make the online payment and submit the application. Once your visa has been approved, download and print the document.
Make sure to carry all required documents plus the e-Visa printout with you when arriving in Namibia.

How does the in-person Visa on Arrival work?

First, check that your country is eligible for a Visa on Arrival. Before travelling to Namibia, prepare printouts of all required documents. Pack a pen in your hand luggage.
Your airline should provide you with a Visa on Arrival application form, otherwise you will receive one at the immigration counter. Complete the form, show your documents to the immigration official and pay at the counter. Your Visa on Arrival will be issued immediately, and you will receive an email confirmation.

What does “Will you have money on arrival” mean?

This question on the online Visa on Arrival form corresponds to item 7 (a) on the paper form: “How much money do you have to sustain yourself in Namibia (N$)”. Give the amount of money in Namibian dollars that you will enter the country with.

Can I apply for the Visa on Arrival before 1 April 2025?

The online application system is up and running. If you are entering Namibia after 1 April 2025, you can already apply for the Visa on Arrival online.

Is the Visa on Arrival valid for multiple entries?

Whether you get the online or in-person Visa on Arrival, you must show your itinerary to an immigration official when entering the country. You can at this point request multiple entry if your itinerary requires it.

How long is the Visa on Arrival valid for?

The Visa on Arrival is by default valid for 30 days from your first entry into Namibia. You have to give your travel dates when applying, both online or in-person. You can either request more days on entry (showing your itinerary as proof), or apply for a visa extension at Home Affairs once you’re in the country (before your visa expires).
Do make sure to check that the dates in your passport correspond to your traveling dates.

How does the Visa on Arrival work for families or groups?

Each person in a family or group has to have their own application. When registering on the Ministry of Home Affairs’ e-Portal, you should be asked to register as an individual or family/group. The options allow you to submit one or multiple applications linked to your account, respectively.