Authorities in Namibia have announced new visa rules for tourists from the United States starting from April.Following the new changes, US nationals planning to travel to Namibia for tourism purposes will be subject to visas, VisaGuide.World reports.The decision has been confirmed through an official statement by the United States Embassy in Namibia, stressing that it will take effect on April 1, 2025.
Beginning April 1, 2025, the Namibian Government will require U.S. citizen tourists to obtain a visa prior to entering the country. Visitors are recommended to apply for their visa in advance of planned travel through Namibia’s online visa-on-arrival portal.the United States Embassy in Namibia.
The new changes came shortly after Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah assumed office as Namibia’s first female president.The Embassy provided its statement on Tuesday evening, March 25, therefore from next month, US tourists are required to follow visa rules more carefully.
The announcement marks a departure from the previous arrangement, which allowed U.S. passport holders to visit Namibia for tourism or informal business meetings for up to 90 days without a visa.
“Visitors using this online visa application system must carry a hard copy of their approval notice when they travel,” the statement added.
The Namibian government will provide an alternative for visitors coming in through high-volume sights, the statement says.
“Visitors arriving in Windhoek, Walvis Bay, or entering at high-volume border crossing points will also have the option of purchasing a tourist visa upon arrival at the respective airport or border crossing point.”
The decision aligns with an announcement last May that revealed Namibia’s intention to introduce visa requirements for countries that do not reciprocate visa-free travel for Namibian nationals.
As outlined in that statement, “This strategic decision, aimed at fostering fair and balanced diplomatic relations, will affect a total of 31 countries.”
The list included several Western nations, with the United States and the United Kingdom among them.
Namibia received more than 800,000 international tourists in 2023 according to the Namibian Ministry of Environment and Tourism.
Author: Bunmi Johnson
New York, USA
olu20@hotmail.com
