Namibia to revoke visa-free access to more than 30 countries, including US & UK
It follows a decision taken by the Namibian cabinet in July last year and will now come into effect on 1 April.
Namibia’s first woman president, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, during her inauguration ceremony in at the State House Windhoek, Namibia, on 21 March 2025. Picture: X/PresidencyZA
CAPE TOWN - The United States and United Kingdom are among more than 30 countries who will no longer enjoy visa-free access to Namibia from April.
The two countries largely enjoy visa-free travel to more than 180 countries.
It follows a decision taken by the Namibian cabinet in July last year and will now come into effect on 1 April.
Until now, most European countries have also enjoyed visa-free access to the country, including its biggest tourism source, Germany.
Just days after the country inaugurated its fifth president, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah is following through on cancelling visa-free access to scores of first-world countries.
The country said the main driver for the decision was a lack of reciprocity for Namibian passport holders.
This despite warnings from the local tourism industry that it could impact its visitor numbers.
In a post on X, the US embassy in Namibia advised its citizens to obtain tourist visas prior to entering the country.
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:… pic.twitter.com/ViztxeeDiC
— U.S. Embassy Namibia (@USEmbNamibia) March 25, 2025
Around 23,000 US citizens visit Namibia annually.
In 2023, the UK revoked visa-free access to Namibian passport holders.
Travellers from the affected countries will now have to make use of an online visa application system or obtain a tourism visa on arrival at the cost of R1,600.
In 2017, US President Donald Trump was ridiculed for infamously mispronouncing Namibia as Nambia in a speech to African leaders in New York.
Eighteen countries, including South Africa, Angola, Botswana and Zimbabwe are unaffected by the visa changes because of their reciprocal arrangements.