Which Countries Require a Visa for Namibia? (Jan 2026)

Disclaimer: Visa policies are subject to change by sovereign governments. The following list is based on Namibia's historical reciprocity principle and information available up to my last update in July 2024. For travel in January 2026, you must verify all requirements directly with official Namibian immigration channels or an embassy/consulate as the primary, authoritative source.

Namibia generally grants visa-free entry for 90 days to passport holders from many countries (including the EU, UK, US, Canada, Australia, etc.). For others, visas are required and must be obtained in advance from a Namibian diplomatic mission. Visa-on-Arrival is not standard for ordinary passports.

Below is a comprehensive, continent-by-continent list of countries whose ordinary passport holders typically require a visa to enter Namibia. This is a projection based on recent policy, not a 2026 guarantee.

AFRICA

(Visa-free access is mostly for SADC members. All other African nations typically require a visa.)

• Algeria
• Angola (SADC Member: Visa-free for up to 30 days)
• Benin
• Burkina Faso
• Burundi
• Cameroon
• Cape Verde
• Central African Republic
• Chad
• Comoros
• Congo, Republic of
• Congo, Democratic Republic of
• Côte d'Ivoire
• Djibouti
• Egypt
• Equatorial Guinea
• Eritrea
• Eswatini (SADC Member: Visa-free access)
• Ethiopia
• Gabon
• Gambia
• Ghana
• Guinea
• Guinea-Bissau
• Kenya
• Lesotho (SADC Member: Visa-free access)
• Liberia
• Libya
• Madagascar
• Malawi (SADC Member: Visa-free for up to 90 days)
• Mali
• Mauritania
• Mauritius (SADC Member: Visa-free for up to 90 days)
• Morocco
• Mozambique (SADC Member: Visa-free for up to 30 days)
• Niger
• Nigeria
• Rwanda
• Sao Tome and Principe
• Senegal
• Seychelles (SADC Member: Visa-free for up to 90 days)
• Sierra Leone
• Somalia
• South Africa (SADC Member: Visa-free for up to 90 days)
• South Sudan
• Sudan
• Tanzania (SADC Member: Visa-free for up to 90 days)
• Togo
• Tunisia
• Uganda
• Zambia (SADC Member: Visa-free for up to 90 days)
• Zimbabwe (SADC Member: Visa-free for up to 90 days)

ASIA

(Most require visas, with key exceptions like Japan, Israel, Singapore, South Korea.)

• Afghanistan
• Bahrain
• Bangladesh
• Bhutan
• Brunei
• Cambodia
• China (Including Hong Kong SAR* and Macao SAR*)
• India
• Indonesia
• Iran
• Iraq
• Israel (Visa-free for up to 90 days)
• Japan (Visa-free for up to 90 days)
• Jordan
• Kazakhstan
• Kuwait
• Kyrgyzstan
• Laos
• Lebanon
• Malaysia
• Maldives
• Mongolia
• Myanmar (Burma)
• Nepal
• North Korea
• Oman
• Pakistan
• Palestine
• Philippines
• Qatar
• Saudi Arabia
• Singapore (Visa-free for up to 90 days)
• South Korea (Visa-free for up to 90 days)
• Sri Lanka
• Syria
• Taiwan
• Tajikistan
• Thailand
• Timor-Leste
• Turkey
• Turkmenistan
• United Arab Emirates
• Uzbekistan
• Vietnam
• Yemen

EUROPE

(Almost all European countries are visa-exempt. The primary exceptions are Eastern European non-EU/Schengen nations.)

• Albania
• Armenia
• Azerbaijan
• Belarus
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Georgia
• Kosovo
• Moldova
• Montenegro
• Russia
• Serbia
• Ukraine (Note: Policy is fluid; an advance visa has been required since 2023. Verify closely.)

All other European countries (EU, EFTA, UK, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, Vatican City) are visa-exempt for up to 90 days.

NORTH AMERICA, CENTRAL AMERICA & CARIBBEAN

(The US, Canada, and most Caribbean nations are visa-exempt. Notable exceptions include:)

• Cuba
• Dominican Republic
• Haiti
• Jamaica

The United States, Canada, Mexico, and most CARICOM members (e.g., Bahamas, Barbados) are visa-exempt.

SOUTH AMERICA

(Most are visa-exempt. Notable exceptions include:)

• Bolivia
• Ecuador
• Guyana
• Suriname

Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela are visa-exempt.

OCEANIA

(Australia and New Zealand are visa-exempt. Most other Pacific Island nations require visas.)

• Fiji
• Kiribati
• Marshall Islands
• Micronesia
• Nauru
• Palau
• Papua New Guinea
• Samoa
• Solomon Islands
• Tonga
• Tuvalu
• Vanuatu

Australia and New Zealand are visa-exempt for up to 90 days.

CRITICAL VERIFICATION STEPS FOR JANUARY 2026 TRAVEL:

1. Primary Source: Contact the Namibian Directorate of Immigration or the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security. Their official website should have the latest regulations.
2. Embassy Confirmation: Reach out to the Namibian Embassy or Consulate in or accredited to your country of residence. They provide definitive, personalized advice.
3. Airline Check: Airlines will not allow you to board without the correct documentation. Confirm with them as well.
4. Travel Purpose: This list is for ordinary passport holders seeking tourism/business visas. Work, study, and long-stay permits are entirely different processes.
5. Transit Rules: If transiting through South Africa or another country to reach Namibia, ensure you meet their transit visa requirements too.

This list is a guideline, not legal advice. The responsibility for obtaining the correct visa lies solely with the traveler. Policies, especially regarding reciprocity and specific nations (e.g., Ukraine, Turkey), can and do change. Start your verification process at least 2-3 months before your planned travel in 2026.

• Non-African Citizens:

  1,600 NAD (~$90 USD / €80)

• African Citizens:

  1,200 NAD (~$70 USD / €60)

You have two options:

1. Visa on Arrival

   • Pros: Simple process, pay by credit card at the immigration counter.

   • Cons: May cause slight delays at entry.

2. Online Pre-Application (E-Visa)

   • Pros: Faster entry, avoids potential airport queues.

   • Cons: Requires additional documentation and costs 3% more due to processing fees.

   • Apply for an e-visa here

      

General Safety Tips

• Secure valuables—don’t leave them visible in your car or hotel room.

• Lock your hotel room when entering or leaving.

• Avoid carrying large amounts of cash.

• Do not pick up hitchhikers.

• Keep cameras and jewelry discreet to avoid attracting attention.