Namibia’s New Visa-Free Travel Policy Creates Uncertainty for Tourism Industry
Namibia is set to revise its visa policy to align with the requirements of nations that require visas for Namibian citizens. This change, effective from April next year, will require travelers from over 30 countries, including the United States, Germany, and Japan, to obtain a visa and pay an entry fee of approximately $90 (€82) to visit Namibia.
Namibia has long sought reciprocal visa-free travel, particularly with developed nations. However, while citizens of countries like Germany can enter Namibia visa-free for up to 90 days, Namibians face a lengthy process to gain entry into Germany. This disparity has led Namibia to adopt a new stance towards countries that do not reciprocate visa-free entry.
This policy shift is seen as Namibia asserting its position on the global stage, drawing considerable attention. Namibia is not alone in reevaluating its visa policies; Brazil also plans to reintroduce visa requirements for visitors from the US, Canada, and Australia next year, in line with the visa policies of those countries.
Namibian citizens often face bureaucratic challenges, high costs, and frequent rejections from countries with strict visa requirements. Despite a relatively low visa rejection rate for the Schengen area — around 5% in 2023 — Namibian travelers still face significant obstacles compared to what this new policy seems to offer.
The Namibian government has indicated that visas will be processed upon arrival or online, with no mention of interviews or extended waiting periods for applicants.
**Traveler Rejection Rates for the Schengen Area in 2023**
– **Country/Region** **Rejection Rate (%)**
– Namibia 5%
– Sao Tome and Principe (Lowest African country rejection rate) 4%
– Comoros (Highest African country rejection rate) 61%
– Africa average 27%
– Global average 16%
The tourism sector, which significantly depends on foreign investment and visitors, may experience disruptions due to the new visa policy. The World Bank reported that foreign direct investment inflow to Namibia was 8.4% in 2022, while tourism contributes approximately 7% of the country’s GDP. Although the visa requirement may not completely deter tourists, there are concerns that the visa fee could influence travel decisions, particularly for budget-conscious travelers.
There are still several aspects of the policy that need clarification from the government. For example, it remains uncertain how this policy will affect day-trippers from neighboring countries. Long queues could significantly impact these short visits. Additionally, the process for travelers to prove they do not have a criminal record is still unclear.
Despite these concerns, it is suggested that travelers should not expect significant disruptions.
Namibia’s new policy comes at a time when the African Union (AU) continues to face challenges in implementing visa-free travel across the continent. The irony lies in the fact that Africans face more travel restrictions within Africa than European visitors. Currently, only five countries—Benin, The Gambia, Rwanda, Seychelles, and Kenya—offer visa-free access to all African nationals.
Instead of adopting a reciprocal visa policy targeting Western countries, Namibia could have prioritized establishing a visa-free regime for AU member states. This could have included initiating dialogue with other AU nations to develop a unified approach.
