Namibia: Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security surprised all by their announcement on May 24, 2024. The Namibian Cabinet has decided to revoke visa-exempt status for 31 countries, that will majorly include many of Namibia’s key overseas tourism markets, due to insufficient reciprocity.
Reportedly, Namibia will implement the visa requirements for these non-reciprocating countries and will increase the visa fees for travellers from non-African Union (AU) member states. However, the travellers from non-AU countries will be required to pay visa fee of N $1,600 (approximately R1,600 or €82, when calculated).
Concerning this, the regional tourism sector is worried that the move might deter many potential visitors and their travel plans will get highly affected.
According to the officer from Economic Policy Research Association – Eben de Klerk, the tourism industry of Namibia was left with no opportunity to voice its concerns or participate in the discussions or consultations.
De Klerk also mentioned that the decision made was just pushed on them overnight, without any official agreement.
Moreover, the Namibian government claims that the measure is a reciprocal action in response towards Namibians not having visa-free access to the 31 countries.
Eben de Klerk also argued over this and said that if Namibia wishes to engage in geopolitical manoeuvres, then it must have the necessary leverage, which he believes, they lack at present.
“There cannot be a win. We just shoot ourselves in the foot,” said De Klerk, from Economic Policy Research Association.
As per the sources, the Namibian government has resolved to introduce the entry visa requirements for countries that have not reciprocated its visa exemption gestures.
Citizens from more than 30 countries will no longer be able to enjoy visa-free access to Namibia, if their nations fail to reciprocate the visa exemption agreements.
The proposal submitted by the Minister of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security, was approved by the Cabinet.
According to the data, received from the Namibia Tourism Board and various embassies, this decision could affect around 31 nations.
Currently, Namibia allows visa exemptions for around 55 nations, out of which only 18 of those replicate the exemptions.
Notably, 18 countries such as Angola, Botswana, South Africa, Zimbabwe and many others will remain unaffected by the changes, as they have managed to agree on the reciprocal visa arrangements with Namibia. However, the 31 countries could be impacted by the new visa requirements.
The 31 countries that do not apply visa waiver reciprocity to Namibian visitors are Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Belarus, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Moldova, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States and Uzbekistan.