Namibia has taken a major step to spice up its tourism trade by saying the implementation of visas on arrival at 5 key border posts throughout the nation.
The immigration ministry revealed this groundbreaking choice at their headquarters in Windhoek final week.
Minister Albert Kawana emphasised the initiative’s potential to streamline journey procedures and facilitate hassle-free visits to Namibia, notably via border posts within the //Karas and Ohangwena areas.
“The introduction of visas on arrival can be a game-changer for our tourism trade.
Expertise has proven that this strategy simplifies entry procedures, making Namibia extra accessible to vacationers and guests”, he famous.
Beneath the brand new system, guests getting into Namibia via designated border factors can be required to pay for his or her visas on-line, utilizing velocity factors put in on the border posts.
Kawana highlighted some great benefits of this digital fee system, citing enhanced comfort and the elimination of dangers related to dealing with money.
The transfer goals to profit numerous classes of holiday makers, together with vacationers, potential buyers, attendees of conferences and seminars, in addition to people visiting family and friends or searching for medical therapy.
Moreover, Kawana disclosed that residents from choose international locations, totalling 58 worldwide, will now have the privilege of acquiring visas on arrival. Notably, this listing contains international locations the place Namibia lacks diplomatic missions, streamlining the method for travellers from these nations.
In a bid to foster reciprocity and increase visa-relaxed advantages globally, Kawana urged different international locations to think about comparable measures for Namibian residents.
To make sure the success of this initiative with out compromising nationwide safety, bhe emphasised the significance of professionalism, integrity and friendliness amongst border businesses, together with immigration officers, police and customs.
Along with visa reforms, the Ministry of House Affairs, Immigration, Security and Safety is addressing operational challenges at ports similar to Walvis Bay, the place travellers embarking on cruises have confronted delays in doc processing. Immigration government director Etienne Maritz confirmed plans to recruit roughly 380 workers to bolster immigration, civil registration and administrative features, with recruitment anticipated to conclude by the tip of the present monetary 12 months.
Kawana reaffirmed Namibia’s dedication to aligning visa insurance policies with regional and continental integration agendas whereas driving financial progress via tourism.