Faced with recent accusations of malfunctioning of its e-Visa portal, Namibia clarifies the situation and announces the launch of its electronic visa on arrival system for March 3, 2025.
At a time when tourism is a key pillar of the Namibian economy, reports in the daily newspaper The Namibian have recently raised concerns about the effectiveness of the new electronic visa system (e-Visa).
According to the publication, European tourists have cancelled their trips to Namibia due to alleged malfunctions in the e-Visa portal.
In response, the Namibian Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security (MHAISS) issued a media release refuting the allegations.
“The Ministry would like to refute this claim, as the E-visa for visa on Arrival has not yet been launched. A comprehensive communication regarding the new visa regime was shared well in advance, with all affected countries, providing sufficient time for all stakeholders, including tourists and travel agents, to prepare for the changes,” explains Etienne Maritz, Executive Director of the Namibian Ministry of Home Affairs.
Still in a preparation phase, the new visa system in Namibia will be launched on March 3, 2025
From April 1, 2025, citizens of 33 countries which currently impose visas on Namibian citizens will have to apply for a visa to enter Namibia. This new visa regime is therefore based on the principle of reciprocity, and aims to guarantee fair treatment for Namibian travelers and strengthen the country’s diplomatic position on the international stage.
The MHAISS was keen to point out that the electronic visa system for the travelers concerned is not yet active. In fact, its deployment is scheduled for March 3, 2025, the official launch date of the Visa-on-Arrival Application form and the E-visa for visa-on-Arrival. Therefore, any assertion suggesting technical failures is misinterpretation, if not disinformation.
Etienne Maritz states that “the newly designed E-visa for visa on Arrival will be launched on the same day as the visa-on-arrival application form. With this user-friendly portal, tourists will be able to apply for visas from the comfort of their homes, ensuring a smoother and more efficient entry process”.
A concerted initiative with tourism stakeholders
This new procedure is designed to make it easier for international tourists and travellers to obtain visas. It is part of a policy to open up and modernize entry procedures to Namibia.
According to the Ministry, this initiative meets the international standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), and is in line with current diplomatic practices in terms of security and travel facilitation.
The new visa regime has been developed in close consultation with Namibia’s tourism industry. The government has taken into account the expectations of travelers and the needs of the industry to ensure a smooth transition and a better experience for visitors.
The Ministry stresses that the key aspects of the future Visa on Arrival and e-Visa on Arrival process will be clearly detailed at the time of the official launch.
The 33 countries concerned by Namibia’s new visa regime
In his statement, the Ministry “urges the public and travelers to be patient and allow it to complete the implementation of the new visa regime and give this process a chance”.
Recently, VisasNews revealed the 33 countries concerned by this forthcoming visa requirement for Namibia, the price of this process, set at 1,600 Namibian dollars (around 84 € / 88 US$), as well as the points of entry where the visa can be issued, including Windhoek and Walvis Bay airports.
On the official MHAISS portal eservices.mhaiss.gov.na, tourists from the following 33 countries will be able to apply for a visa online before their trip to Namibia:
- Armenia
- Australia
- Austria
- Azerbaijan
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Canada
- Denmark
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Japan
- Kazakhstan
- Kyrgyzstan
- Liechtenstein
- Luxembourg
- Moldova
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Norway
- Portugal
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Tajikistan
- Turkmenistan
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
- United States
- Uzbekistan
