From April 2025, passport holders of the US, UK, Germany and 29 other European countries will require a visa for entry to Namibia.

These include all “non-reciprocating countries” – meaning the new visa rules will affect citizens from all countries that require Namibian passport holders to have visas.

“Namibia has extended gestures of goodwill and favourable treatment to nationals of various countries. However, despite these efforts, certain nations have not reciprocated,” Namibia’s immigration ministry said.

“In light of this disparity, the government has deemed it necessary to implement a visa requirement to ensure parity and fairness in diplomatic interactions.”

Visitors will be able to buy their 90-day visa, costing $90, on arrival in Namibia – unlike the onerous requirements placed on African passport holders who need to get their visas beforehand.

The British High Commissioner to Namibia, Charles Moore, said he respected the right of Namibia to impose new regulations.

The European Union made more than €53m on rejected visa applications from African countries in 2023, according to a recent report.

The UK Home Office has announced that most visa application fees will increase on April 9, 2025, impacting both applications made outside and within the UK, with the aim of reflecting rising costs in providing services.