Vacation In Namibia – Do You Need A Visa To Visit?

Namibia is one of southern Africa’s youngest countries and with its ancient desert, striking beaches and wildlife safaris it is one of the best. Visiting the Skeleton Coast offers a chance for a desert safari and plenty of adventure. Meanwhile, Hentiesbaai offers the opportunity to play a round of golf, go fishing or camping, or just laze on the beach.

Namibia’s capital, Windhoek, and the coastal city of Swakopmund feature German colonial-era buildings, including the Christuskirche, built in 1907. Moreover, heading up north, Etosha National Park’s salt pan draws plenty of game, including giraffes and rhinos.

There are so many reasons to visit Namibia and luckily, to support its well-established tourism industry, the country’s government has made entry into  Namibia as hassle-free as possible for travelers.

Do you need a visa to visit Namibia?

Citizens of most countries in southern Africa, along with European nations, Australia, New Zealand, the UK and the USA do not require visas for short visits. Meanwhile, those who do require a visa can typically apply on arrival in Namibia, or before traveling at Namibian consulates, or the Namibian Ministry of Home Affairs.

About visas for Namibia

Citizens of more than 50 countries can visit Namibia for 90 days or less without a tourist visa. Moreover, this is for almost any purpose, except employment. Check the Namibian Ministry of Home Affairs visa page on their website, or the website of the Namibia High Commission in the UK for a complete list of visa-exempt countries.

Arriving in Namibia

Once travelers arrive in Namibia, they will be given a free Visitor’s Entry Permit stamped on their passports. The maximum validity for the entry permit is 90 days but can be issued for shorter periods if required. It is important for travelers to check that the date entered in their passport corresponds to the duration of the visit.

Countries not on the visa-exempt list

Those visitors from countries not on the visa-exempt list can apply for a visa on arrival at Hosea Kutako International Airport in Windhoek. A single-entry visa, valid for three months, costs N$1200 (US$80).

Those who prefer to get a visa before their visit can apply for a visa through the Namibian embassy in their own country. In this case, it can take up to two weeks for processing. Meanwhile, downloadable visa application forms are available on the Namibia Ministry of Home Affairs website.

Passport validity

One important aspect is to check whether passports are valid for a minimum of six months. This should be beyond the arrival date in Namibia. It is also important to ensure there are at least three blank endorsement pages available.

Families with children visiting Namibia

Namibia is a popular travel destination for families, but it can get a little complicated depending on the circumstances. Those traveling with children under 18, must carry a certified copy of each of their children’s original birth certificates. For those children traveling with one parent, they will require certified consent from the other parent or proof of sole custody.

Those families traveling with adopted children should ensure they carry certified copies of adoption certificates or other proof of guardianship. Namibia and other southern African countries have introduced these regulations to prevent child trafficking.

Extending a stay in Namibia

With so much to see and do, 90 days in Namibia is sometimes not enough. Should this be the case, a visa extension can be applied for at the Namibian Ministry of Home Affairs in Windhoek. This will cost around US$40. However, this can only be done if the traveler has not exceeded 90 days in the country.

However, travelers should note that extension requests are not always granted. It is always better to decide on the maximum desired stay before initially arriving in Namibia to avoid disappointment.

While there are a few hurdles to jump, a visit to Namibia will make it all worthwhile. It’s just a matter of ensuring that all the paperwork is in order before boarding that flight.