From 1 April 2025, holidaymakers from many countries need a visa to enter Namibia. The immigration authorities announced the regulations at the beginning of March and activated an online platform for applications. BüllsPort has now compiled an overview and information for its guests.
[Post updated: 8 April 2025]
Many questions have arisen following the announcement of the ‘Visa on Arrival’ regulations and the launch of the online platform. Representatives of the travel industry then met with the immigration authorities to obtain clarification.
The Hospitality Association of Namibia (HAN), of which BüllsPort is a member, subsequently informed about the results of the meeting in a circular email. Here is an overview of the visa requirements and hints on how to apply on the online platform of the immigration authority.
‘Visa on Arrival’ – on arrival and online in advance
From 1 April 2025, the ‘Visa on Arrival’ also applies to citizens of 33 countries that do not allow Namibians visa-free entry. These include the Schengen states in Europe, the UK and the USA.
The visa fee for citizens from countries that are not members of the African Union (AU) is 1,600 Namibia Dollar (currently just under 81 euros; amount at the current exchange rate, 1 N$ = 1 rand). Citizens of AU states pay 1,200 Namibia Dollar. Children aged 6 to 11 pay half price, children under 6 are free of charge.
You can obtain the ‘Visa on Arrival’ at the immigration counter and pay the fee by credit card. The application form is distributed on the aircraft (it replaces the previous entry form) and is available at the border posts. This applies to the international airports at Windhoek and Walvis Bay as well as the main border posts at the national borders.
Alternatively, the visa can be applied for and paid for online before travelling in order to shorten the processing time at the immigration counter. The immigration authorities have promised to offer counters with ‘fast track’ queues for this purpose. However, the completed application form (on the plane / at the border post) with documents must be presented at the immigration counter.
The e-visa is accepted at the international airports and at the usual border posts. For the time being, the small border posts at Nkurenkuru (Angola), Singalamwe (Zambia), Kasika and Dobe (Botswana) as well as Klein Manasse and Vioolsdrift (South Africa) are still excluded.
Validity and requirements of the ‘Visa on Arrival’
From 1 April 2025, holidaymakers from 33 countries, that do not allow Namibians visa-free entry, require a visa to enter Namibia (here at Hosea Kutako International Airport). These include the Schengen states of Europe, the UK and the USA. Photo: Sven-Eric Stender, Passport cover: Wikipedia
The ‘Visa on Arrival’ is valid for 90 days from the date of issue. It is advisable to check the date of departure, which the official will enter in your passport.
However, multiple entry is only possible during the first 30 days. This is important to note if you want to make a detour to the Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe or the Kgadagadi Transfrontier Park (South Africa, Botswana) on your Namibia tour.
Checklist of required documents
The following documents are required to apply for a ‘Visa on Arrival’ and when entering the country:
• Passport that is valid for at least six months from the date of departure and has at least three blank pages
• Completed visa application form
• Booking confirmations of accommodation and/or itinerary (in the case of a booked round trip, the confirmation and itinerary from the tour operator)
• If visiting family or friends, a letter of invitation and details of their address and telephone number
• Proof of sufficient funds for the stay (proof of payment for accommodation and/or round trip, presentation of a credit or debit card is sufficient; presentation of bank statements NOT required)
• Travel/health insurance
• If travelling by plane, ticket for return flight or onward journey
• In the case of travelling with children, complete birth certificate or declaration of consent from parents
• When travelling with an e-visa, the printed visa confirmation must be presented in addition to the above-mentioned documents
Six steps to a ‘Visa on Arrival’ online
Online platform where you can apply and pay for the new ‘Visa on Arrival’. Not to be confused with the ‘Holiday Visa’, which costs just as much and requires more documents (status: 8 April 2025). Photo: Screenshot of the e-services website of the Namibian Immigration Authority
1 – Go to the online platform ‘E-Services’ of the Namibia Immigration Authority and click on ‘Visa on Arrival’
2 – Access the application form and register. For families, it is sufficient for one family member to register
3 – Fill in the application form
• For accommodation to be visited, only details of the first and last accommodation are required
• Scan/photograph passport and passport photo and upload scans/photos
• For further points see above
4 – Pay (group payment is also possible)
5 – Submit
6 – Visa will be issued as soon as payment has been received. Print out the visa confirmation and take it with you to present at the immigration counter
Confusion about ‘Holiday Visa’
And beware: The immigration authority’s e-service platform also offers a so-called ‘holiday visa’. This has long been valid for citizens of other countries who have to present their visa before departure.
The ‘Holiday Visa’ also costs 1,600 Namibia Dollar and requires much more proof – such as a guarantee and six months’ bank statements.
Newsletter "Naukluft Mail"
Straight from the NAUkLuFT to your mailbox: News, information and exciting stories about the guest business and farm operations of BüllsPort, as well as the mountains of the NAUkLuFT. Subscribe to our quarterly newsletter "Naukluft Mail".
If you want to see what's going on at BüllsPort every now and then:
