500 Americans To Be Deported As Namibia Implements New Visa Policy

In a significant policy shift , Namibias new visa requirements took effect at the start of April, marking the end of visa-free access for those travelling from the US, UK and 31 other first-world countries, reports Cape town Etc .

While the decision was taken by the Namibian parliament in July 2024, the policy took effect on 1 April 2025, shortly after the country inaugurated its fifth president, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, on 25 March 2025.

In the circular from the Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation, it was highlighted that the main driver for the decision was not aggression but rather a matter of fairness addressing the lack of reciprocity for Namibian passport holders.

Your good offices may recall the Namibian Governments decision to impose visa requirements for nationals of countries that have not granted reciprocal visa exemption to Namibian passport holders, the circular to all heads of missions/posts stated.

The Namibian Government thus decided to place these countries on the list of foreign nationals that benefit from visas on arrival when visiting Namibia.