Namibia Visa Requirements: Entry Documents, Applications and Fees
Understanding Namibia visa requirements starts with your passport nationality, travel purpose and intended length of stay. Some visitors qualify for visa-free entry, while others need a Namibia visa on arrival or a visa issued before departure. Tourism permission does not authorise employment.
This guide explains the main Namibia immigration requirements, application routes and supporting documents. Before travelling, confirm your eligibility with the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security or a Namibian diplomatic mission, as official country lists and conditions can change.
Who Needs a Namibia Visa?
Visa-Free Entry
Namibia maintains visa-exemption arrangements with several countries. Examples include South Africa, Botswana, Angola, Brazil, Kenya, Mauritius, Singapore, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Exemption depends on the applicable passport and purpose of travel; it does not remove other Namibia entry requirements.
Visa Requirements for US, UK and Other Travellers
The visa policy implemented on April 1, 2025, introduced visa requirements for previously exempt nationalities, including ordinary-passport visitors from the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and Germany. Eligible travellers can apply online or obtain a visa on arrival at designated entry points.
Do not assume that every nationality qualifies for arrival processing. Check the official eligibility list before choosing your Namibia visa application route.
Namibia Entry Requirements and Documents
Valid Passport and Passport Validity
Visitors must carry a valid passport with at least six months of passport validity from their arrival date, plus at least three blank pages for visa endorsements and entry and exit stamps. Namibia’s Tourism Board also requires visitors to hold a valid return ticket.
Namibia Visa Application Checklist
Prepare the documents relevant to your application and carry supporting evidence when travelling:
- A completed Namibia visa application form.
- Your passport and any required passport copy or photograph.
- Confirmation of accommodation and a travel itinerary.
- Evidence of sufficient funds for your stay.
- Return or onward travel documentation, as applicable.
- Proof of travel insurance and medical insurance.
- An invitation letter, where applicable.
- Your issued eVisa, if applying online.
Requirements vary by visa category. Follow the checklist displayed for your selected service rather than relying on a generic document list.
Namibia Visa on Arrival
A Namibia visa on arrival is available only to eligible passport holders at approved ports of entry. Examples include Hosea Kutako International Airport, Walvis Bay International Airport and selected land borders. Confirm that your intended crossing offers the service before departure.
For manual arrival processing, complete the application form, present the required documents to immigration and pay the applicable fee. Applying online beforehand can reduce processing at the immigration counter.
Namibia eVisa Application Steps
Eligible travellers can complete a Namibia eVisa application through the ministry’s E-Services portal:
- Register an account or sign in.
- Select the appropriate visa service.
- Complete the application details accurately.
- Upload the requested passport scan, photograph and supporting documents.
- Complete payment and submission as instructed.
- Download and print the issued eVisa. (eservices.mhaiss.gov.na)
The portal provides separate services for visa on arrival, holiday visas, short-term employment permits and Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Events visas. Select the category matching your actual activities.
Carry a printed copy of your issued eVisa. A general visa or permit approval letter is not necessarily an issued travel document; the ministry distinguishes approval from issuance or passport endorsement.
Namibia Visa Fees
The ministry’s visa fact sheet dated May 28, 2025, lists the following standard visa-on-arrival charges. Confirm the payable amount before submitting your application because fees are subject to review.
| Applicant | African countries | Other countries |
|---|---|---|
| Adults and children aged 12 or older | NAD 1,200 | NAD 1,600 |
| Children aged 6–11 | NAD 600 | NAD 800 |
| Children younger than 6 | No charge | No charge |
These Namibia visa fees should not be treated as a universal price for every immigration service. Confirm charges for your specific visa, permit or consular application.
Namibia Tourist Visa and Holiday Visa
A Namibia tourist visa, commonly described as a Namibia holiday visa, covers an approved leisure visit. The ministry states that a multiple-entry holiday visa of up to 90 days may be granted, but applicants must specify their requested duration. Your issued visa’s dates determine its validity; 90 days is not an automatic entitlement.
Check your passport stamp immediately after entry. Incorrect dates, missing stamps or overstaying can cause problems at departure and may lead to penalties.
Namibia Business Visa and Employment Permit
A Namibia business visa should not be confused with permission to work. Attending meetings or exploring business opportunities differs from carrying out employment duties. The Namibian Embassy identifies activities such as staff training, company audits and volunteering as requiring work authorisation, even for visa-exempt nationals.
If your trip involves employment, obtain the appropriate Namibia employment permit or work visa before entering for that purpose. Study and research activities also require the relevant authorisation rather than ordinary tourism permission.
Travelling to Namibia With Children
Children aged 17 and younger should travel with their own valid passport and a full birth certificate showing both parents’ details, in original or certified-copy form. Additional documents apply when travelling with one parent, a guardian or another adult.
These may include parental consent affidavits or proof of legal guardianship. Check the requirements for your family circumstances and any transit country before departure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can US Citizens Get a Namibia Visa on Arrival?
Yes. Ordinary US passport holders are listed as eligible for visa on arrival. They can also apply online before travelling, subject to the applicable entry conditions.
Does an Online Application Replace the Need for Entry Documents?
No. Carry your printed issued eVisa and the supporting travel documents required for your visit. Online processing does not remove passport, accommodation or other applicable entry requirements.
Can I Work in Namibia With a Tourist Visa?
No. Tourist or holiday permission does not authorise employment. Apply for the appropriate work authorisation before entering Namibia for employment.
Meta description: Explore Namibia visa requirements, visa on arrival, eVisa application steps, visa fees, passport validity and essential entry documents.