Namibia

What Is Namibia Visa On Arrival (VOA)?

The new Visa On Arrival (VOA for short) came into effect on the 1st April 2025 affecting passport holders from many nationalities who were previously exempt from Visa including the Schengen countries in Europe, UK, Australia, New Zealand and the USA among others.

These nationalities who were previously exempt from visas will now need to pay for a visa before they can enter Namibia.

The visa application can be completed on arrival into Namibia at most ports of entry including Hosea Kutako Airport (Windhoek). See a full list of entry points where Visas can be processed in person on arrival - Ports of Entry

Immigration officers may request to see supporting documents as part of the screening process. A list of the supporting documents can be found here - Supporting Documents

For your convenience it is also possible to pay for your visa in advance online and obtain an e-Visa. We recommend this option so you can join the fast track queue

It is possible to apply for up to 90 days, however you must clearly state this on your application. As standard the Visa On Arrival is for one entry only and is valid for 30 days.

If you need a multiple entry permit, i.e. if you have a tour which visits neighbouring countries such as Botswana you must specifically request multiple entry from the immigration officer when you arrive.

Multiple entry permits are granted at the discretion of the immigration officer, and if not approved you will need to pay for a new visa when you next enter Namibia.

Visitors who entered Namibia before the 1st of April and so already have a 90 day entry permit will need to pay the new Visa fee before they can re-enter Namibia, (permits issued at the border before 1st April will no longer be valid once you leave Namibia).

The VOA is only applicable to tourism purposes and can not be used for business, study, or volunteering.

See the full list of countries who can apply for a Visa On Arrival here: Full list of countries needing a VOA
The following countries are still exempt from Visa Requirements: Countries Exempt from Visa Requirements

All other nationalities will need to apply in advance for a Holiday Visa and submit the required supporting documentation either online or at a Namibian Embassy before travelling.

As this is a newly implemented process please check in again before you travel for the latest updates.

The following documents are needed at your port of entry to Namibia:

You should have printed copies of the following documents on hand to show on request when you arrive in Namibia.

• Passport valid for 6 months with at least 3 blank pages
• E-VOA approval letter (If you already requested and paid your VOA online)
• Return ticket or proof of onward travel
• Health insurance (Travel insurance covering medical expenses)
• Proof of pre-paid accommodation, such as Madbookings Travel Vouchers
• The proof of funds for your stay in Namibia, e.g. credit cards & pre-paid accommodation.
  

Remember to have all your required documents on hand as entry into Namibia remains at the discretion of immigration officers after inspecting your documents.

What's changed for affected nationalities?

Travellers must apply for a Visa On Arrival (VOA) which is charged at N$ 1,600 per person above 11 years old. Children aged between 6 - 11 are charged at N$ 800 and children under 6 years of age will not be charged, but they still need to apply for the VOA.

The new VOA is valid for only one entry to Namibia as standard. You can request for multiple entries at the border.

Supporting documents are now required at the border, which you will need to show on arrival at the airport or Namibian border post. - Supporting Documents

How to apply online?

You can apply for your VOA online up to 30 days before your arrival: https://eservices.mhaiss.gov.na/visaonarrival

• Register for your VOA on the Ministry of Home Affairs for Namibia website (MHAISS)
• You will receive a response email from MHAISS in which you will confirm your email address and complete your registration. At this stage of the process if you intend to use one email address for several persons you can register as a FAMILY/GROUP
• Once registered you can log back onto the website and upload your scanned passport and passport photo. (You will need to do this for each person under your email if you choose to apply as a FAMILY/GROUP)
• Once your application is approved, you can pay the fee.

Travelling as a family applicaton process:

When you receive the email response from MHAISS to complete your registration, select FAMILY/GROUP.

You can then submit several VOA applications using the same email address. (Each member of the family will need to have their own application)

Once all the applications are submitted you can log back on and make payment.

Group bulk payments are now available to simplify the process of applying and paying for a VOA, now allowing tourists to pay up to N$ 97,000 at a time.

Advantages of a pre-paid VOA (E-VOA)

The main advantage of applying and paying for your VOA online is the time you spend at the immigration counter will be reduced as no payment process is needed.

Special counters are available at Hosea Kutako Airport (Windhoek) for those who have received the E-VISA. (This moves significantly quicker than the queue where everyone still needs to pay for their VISA)

You will also receive less hassle from airline staff at airports if they request proof of visa before boarding. Giving you peace of mind and a smoother start to your trip in Namibia.

E-Visas can be processed at more ports of entry than an in person VOA.
NB. E-Visas can not be processed at the Dobe Border.

Ports of Entry

E-Visa and in person Visa On Arrival is accepted and processed at the following ports of entry:.

• Ariamsvlei Border
• Hosea Kutako International Airport
• Katima Mulilo Border
• Noordoewer Border
• Ngoma Border
• Trans-Kalahari Border
• Impalila Border
• Luderitz Harbour
• Mohembo Border
• Oranjemund Airport
• Oranjemund Border
• Oshikango Border
• Walvis Bay Airport & Harbour

Only E-Visa accepted at the following ports of entry (No In Person Visa on Arrival issued)

Travellers need a pre-approved visa so should apply and pay for their Visa On Arrival online 30 days before travel.

• Eros Airport
• Gobabis Airport
• Grootfontein Airport
• Kasika Border
• Katwiti Border
• Keetmanshoop Airport
• Klein Manasse Border
• Luderitz Airport
• Mata-Mata Border
• Mpacha Airport
• Nkurenkuru Border
• Omahenene Border
• Ondangwa Airport
• Oranjemund Airport
• Ruacana Border
• Rundu Airport
• Sarusungu Border
• Sendelingsdrift Border
• Singalamwe Border
• Verloorsdrift Border

We recommend applying and paying for your VOA online, as doing so at the border after you arrive in Namibia can be time consuming.

Avoid Delays and pay online for a quicker and smoother immigration process.

Your printed documents and passport will be checked by immigration officials at your chosen port of entry as part of the screening process.

How long will a VOA be valid for?

Your VOA will be valid from the date of issue at the border. (This is the date of arrival which you should put on your application if you apply online)

Your VOA will be valid for 30 days as standard. You can however request for more days up to 90 consecutive days. (The approval of the request is dependent on how long you applied for and what supporting documentation you can provide.)

If your visa is only issued the standard 30 days on arrival, you can apply for a holiday extension at MHAISS offices countrywide in Namibia.

Tourists to Namibia are allowed a maximum of 90 days per calendar year. This can be split over more than one trip, but a new visa will be required for each trip.

E.g. If you receive a 30 day visa but only use 20 days. You can not return to Namibia on day 31 to use the remaining 10 days. You will need to apply for a new visa.

Multiple Entry Visa

As standard your visa will be issued for a single entry into Namibia. In order for you to exit and re-enter Namibia you must have a “multiple entry” stamped in your passport on arrival to avoid having to re-apply and pay for another Visa.

Issuing multiple entry visas are at the discretion of the immigration officer on duty. If you need a multiple entry visa, clearly request one at your chosen port of entry.

The immigration officer will want to see proof of your pre-booked itinerary, showing that you are leaving to a neighboring country and then returning to Namibia. (You can request a visa letter from Madbookings showing your full itinerary for visa purposes if you have booked both the Namibian and Botswana section of your trip with us)

Other types of E-Visa

A VOA is for tourism purposes only, and is not available to all nationalities. If you are travelling for tourism purposes but your country doesn't have VOA access, you will need to apply for a Holiday visa. (Available online for most nationalities)

The Holiday visa is charged at the same price as a VOA (N$ 1,600) and is available to most countries that do not have access to the VOA. The process requires more documents to be uploaded as they will be used to screen you prior to entering the country and takes more time to complete.

If you are volunteering, working or studying in Namibia you will need to apply for the appropriate visa no matter your nationality. These categories are not covered by VOA or Holiday Visas.

What if you already have a 90 day permit?

If you entered Namibia before the 1st April 2025 on a 90 day permit, this will remain valid until you leave Namibia. After you leave Namibia this permit will no longer be valid for re-entry even if it is marked to allow multiple entry into the country. You will need to buy a visa to re-enter Namibia.

If you have already left Namibia before the 1st of April, re-entry into Namibia will require you to apply for a VOA and pay the applicable fee before you can re-enter Namibia.

Full list of countries needing a VOA

African Countries

Other Countries

Cost of A Visa On Arrival

African Union Countries:

• Per person over 11 years: N$ 1,200
• Children aged 6 - 11: N$ 600
• Children under 6: Free of Charge

Other Countries:

• Per person over 11 years : N$ 1,600
• Children aged 6 - 11 : N$ 800
• Children under 6 : Free of Charge

Foreign Contries Exempted From VISA requirements for holders of Diplomatic / Official / Service passport only:

Foreign Nationals Exempted From VISA requirements When Traveling to Namibia: