Trip Planning
Namibia Visa: All Important Information
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Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
Visa on Arrival, Holiday Visa, E-Visa… Sounds confusing at first, right? And then there's the question of which documents you actually need.
So that visa formalities don't dampen your travel excitement, we've put together everything you need to know about visas for Namibia — compact, clear, and easy to understand.
Do I need a visa for Namibia?
Yes, since April 1, 2025, you need a visa for Namibia. The reason for this decision is the principle of reciprocity — "give and take." Countries that do not grant Namibian citizens visa-free entry must now apply for a visa to enter Namibia.
These countries do NOT need a visa:
Angola, Botswana, Brazil, Eswatini, Hong Kong (China), Indonesia, Jamaica, Kenya, Cuba, Lesotho, Macao (China), Malawi, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mozambique, Russia, Seychelles, Singapore, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
Visa on Arrival or Holiday Visa — what's the difference?
At first, you'd probably think: "I need a Holiday Visa — I'm coming to Namibia for vacation." That's technically true, but you actually don't need to apply for a Holiday Visa. Here's the exact difference between the two — including a little insider tip!
Visa on Arrival
The Visa on Arrival is available to travelers from selected countries (e.g. Germany, Austria, Switzerland). You can either apply online in advance (E-Visa) or directly at the counter upon arrival (Visa on Arrival).
Insider tip: The queue for the Visa on Arrival is currently shorter than the one for the pre-applied E-Visa.
Holiday Visa
A Holiday Visa is intended for travellers from countries that cannot obtain an E-Visa or Visa on Arrival (e.g. Malta, Colombia). It requires more lead time and documentation and must be applied for in advance.
Important: If you want to stay in Namibia for longer than 30 days, you should apply for an E-Visa online in advance. Some airlines may deny you boarding if you haven't applied for a visa beforehand.
How much does a visa cost?
A visa costs a once-off fee of approximately €80. Depending on the exchange rate, it may be slightly more or less. The prices below apply to European countries:
- Adults: ~€80 (N$ 1,600)
- Children 6–11 years: ~€40 (N$ 800)
- Children under 6 years: free
- Cruise passengers: ~€15 per day (N$ 300) upon arrival at the ports of Lüderitz and Walvis Bay
What documents do I need?
You can apply for your visa comfortably from home or at the airport upon arrival in Namibia. Regardless of which visa you use, you should always have these documents with you at entry:
Checklist:
- Valid passport (at least 6 months validity and 3 blank pages)
- Return flight ticket
- Travel health insurance
- Booking documents or letter of invitation
- Proof of funds — show a credit card or cash
- "Arrival Form" or "Visa on Arrival Form"
E-Visa
If you already have an approved E-Visa, your printed confirmation serves as your "Arrival Form."
This is what your “E-visa“ confirmation looks like.
Visa on Arrival
If you're applying for your visa upon arrival, you'll need to fill out the "Visa on Arrival Form”.
This is what the “Visa on Arrival Form” looks like.
Important: Only fill in the date and signature at the counter in front of the immigration officer.
What else should I keep in mind?
It's best to bring copies of all documents listed in the checklist. Namibia is still somewhat behind other countries in terms of digitalisation, so showing documents on your phone may not be sufficient.
You should also have your travel health insurance certificate in English — this is usually not a problem for most insurers.
Bank statements are not required as proof of funds.
If you choose the Visa on Arrival, fill out the "Visa on Arrival Form" before reaching the immigration counter. It's usually handed out by the airline shortly before landing. If not, just ask the cabin crew.
Tip: Keep a pen handy — it'll save you time and stress at the counter!
If you're traveling with children, there are a few important things to note. Even if the airline doesn't ask at check-in, additional documents for children will be required at the immigration counter:
- Children under 18 need an international birth certificate or a certified English translation in addition to their passport.
- If a child is travelling with only one parent, the other parent (if listed on the birth certificate) must provide a written consent letter for the trip. Ideally, also bring a passport copy and contact details of the absent parent.
- If one parent is deceased, a copy of that parent's death certificate must be presented.
Note: All documents must either be issued in English or officially translated into English.
Apply for a visa online
In the following sections, you will find out where you can apply for your visa, which documents you need, how long the processing takes, whether children need their own visa, and whether it is possible for one person to apply for the visa on behalf of the entire family or travel group.
Where can I apply for the E-Visa?
You can apply for the E-Visa easily through the Namibian Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security under "E-Services”. The visa does not need to be applied for at the Namibian embassy.
Link to the E-Visa: https://eservices.mhaiss.gov.na/visaonarrival
What documents do I need for the online application?
If you want to apply for your visa online, you will need:
- Passport in PDF format (no larger than 2 MB)
- Passport photo (no larger than 300 KB)
- Airline booking reference
- Accommodation booking (with address and phone number)
The application takes approx. 30 minutes.
How long does visa processing take?
Approval is usually granted in real time — immediately after submitting the application and completing payment. Note that this is not yet the actual visa, but rather a travel authorization. The visa is valid for 90 days from the date of issue.
Important: The visa itself is only stamped in your passport upon entry into Namibia.
Do my children need their own visa?
Yes, minors under 18 also need their own visa — this includes toddlers, children, and teenagers.
Can I apply for a visa for my whole family or travel group?
Yes, you can easily apply for visas for your partner, family, or travel group within your account — you'll need passport photos and passports for everyone. A separate application must be submitted for each person, but you can make a single combined payment for all, as long as the total does not exceed N$ 97,000.
Done! This is what the visa stamp in the passport looks like.
Tip: After receiving your visa, always check that the details are correct and match your travel dates.
Where do I need an E-Visa — and where is a Visa on Arrival sufficient?
The Visa on Arrival is not accepted everywhere — only at certain official entry points (Ports of Entry). Check the overview to see which airports, border crossings, or ports allow Visa on Arrival entry, and where you'll need to apply for an E-Visa in advance.
Re-entry: What do I need to know about day trips abroad?
If you enter Namibia via Hosea Kutako International Airport and receive a valid visa, you'll typically get an entry stamp marked "multiple entries”. This means you can freely leave and re-enter Namibia during the validity period of your visa — for example, for a trip to Victoria Falls.
Important: Make sure your visa is still valid when you re-enter.
Not that complicated, is it? Book your rental vehicle now and start your adventure through the vast of Namibia!
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