Visitors entering Namibia through the Katima Mulilo, Ngoma, and Impalila border posts in the Zambezi Region will now acquire visas upon arrival starting December 15, 2023.
Only Hosea Kutako and Walvis Bay International Airports, as well as the Transkalahari Border Post, required visas upon arrival.
Some countries without diplomatic representation in Namibia will no longer need to apply for visas before coming to Namibia or in transit through Namibia.
Minister of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security, Albert Kawana, expounded on “visas on arrival.”.
“I wish to make it clear that this arrangement excludes people coming to Namibia for work or employment purposes, which obliges such people to apply for and acquire employment permits in advance. The procedure will require visitors to complete a visa application form as he or she arrives at the border post and submit the completed application form together with his or her passport to an immigration officer, who will process the application. Upon approval of the application, the immigration officer will request that the applicant make the prescribed payment, which is currently N$1200. In order to facilitate a smooth payment, travellers are encouraged to carry credit or debit cards as speed points are available.”
The Ministry of Home Affairs is encouraging electronic transfers as a means of payment for the visa application as opposed to cash payments to better manage financial transactions.
Diplomatic, official, and ordinary passport holders qualify for visas upon arrival.
Dr. Kawana cautioned immigration officials who do not respect travellers that ill discipline will not be tolerated.
“And we don’t want to hear those stories of mistreatment of our visitors to Namibia, and I think time has come to grab the nearest whip and start whipping those rotten apples. Even if it means going to parliament and changing the law to empower to fire on the spot, I can do that. because, as employees of the state, tourists contribute to the economy of this country. Kawana will not tolerate the misbehaviour of immigration officials.”
Oshikango, Muhembo, and Noordoewer, Ariamsvlei, and Oranjemund Border Posts will soon offer visas upon arrival.
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