Africa-Press – Namibia. Amid growing complaints about wait times of up to three hours for visa processing at Hosea Kutako International Airport, some are pushing back and urging the public to consider the broader context of the country’s visa policy.
The new system, under which visitors from over 30 countries are now required to apply for a visa before entering Namibia, is based on reciprocity. If a country will not allow Namibians access without a lengthy application process, then Namibia will require visas for them in turn.
Namibian businessman Luther Mostert argues that even if arrivals in Namibia now face lengthy queues, there is still a world of difference between that and what Namibians face when wanting to travel internationally.
“But here’s the thing: we still treat our visitors with dignity. You can apply online in advance via our e-visa portal, or simply get a visa on arrival at the airport. No embassy trips. No interviews. No hoops. Just the usual travel documents, the N$1 600 fee, and you’re in for up to 90 days – multiple entries included,” he writes.
In contrast, applying for a Schengen visa in Windhoek typically requires securing scarce appointment slots, submitting extensive documentation, and traveling in person for biometric collection, often with no guarantee of approval.
For Namibians, emergency travel to Europe is almost impossible. Certain countries even require Namibians to travel to South Africa to apply for visas. One commenter on Facebook described the process of getting an appointment at the German embassy as a ‘total nightmare’. Another described the process of applying for a German visa as humiliating.
“I felt like being questioned by a police officer,” they wrote. “I felt ashamed.”
“Namibia has built a modern, fair system that welcomes visitors while asserting its sovereignty. And we do it without treating travellers like they’re being granted a favour. Respect goes both ways,” Mostert adds.
This kind of reciprocity was a key concern when the new system was initially considered. Previous immigration minister Albert Kawana had said Namibians were treated like criminals despite holding valid visas.
“Some of them are regarded as illegal immigrants – even the ones on diplomatic passports. The way they are treated is not right, and it is not only Namibia, it is the whole of Africa,” Kawana said while motivating the move during the initial announcement last year.
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