Namibia has officially implemented new visa requirements for nationals from the United States, the United Kingdom, and 31 other countries, ending its long-standing policy of visa-free entry for citizens of these nations.

The move represents a significant shift in the country’s immigration policy and has drawn international attention for its symbolism.

The new visa rules came into effect on 1 April 2025, less than a week after Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah was sworn in as Namibia’s first female president on 25 March.

South Africa, Namibia’s southern neighbour and key economic partner, will remain unaffected by the new policy.

The Namibian Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation addressed the diplomatic community ahead of the rollout, clarifying the intent behind the changes.

“The Namibian Government’s decision to impose visa requirements is not one of aggression, but fairness,” the Ministry stated, suggesting that the policy aims to mirror the entry requirements Namibian citizens face when travelling to many of the targeted countries.

“Countries that do not grant reciprocal visa exemptions to Namibian passport holders are now required to obtain visas on arrival when visiting Namibia.”

According to MSN, the change follows the UK’s 2023 decision to revoke visa-free access for Namibian citizens and mirrors broader global trends in reassessing bilateral visa arrangements.

In conjunction with the policy change, President Nandi-Ndaitwah has announced the deportation of over 500 US nationals currently residing in Namibia without valid visas.

“These individuals are currently being served with deportation notices,” a senior government source confirmed.

“The new administration remains committed to upholding immigration laws and ensuring all residents and visitors remain compliant.”

The 33 countries that will now require visas are:

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, Uzbekistan, United Kingdom, and United States.

[Source: MSN]