47 Countries To Benefit From Namibia’s Newly Launched Visa On Arrival Initiative
Namibia is among Africa’s top tourist destinations boasting unique varieties and large numbers of wildlife species. The sector accounts for nearly 20 percent of employment in the country.
More importantly, the tourism industry contributes about 14.5 percent to the country’s GDP.
In a bid to boost tourism and further propel economic growth, Namibia has introduced Visa on Arrival‘. The Ministry of Home Affairs and Immigration on Wednesday officially launched a visa on arrival for 47 countries.
Following the launch, tourists from the 47 countries will no longer have to apply for visas prior to leaving their countries for a visit or tour to Namibia.
While speaking during the launch which took place in Hosea Kutako International Airport, Minister of Home Affairs and Immigration Frans Kapofi said the countries to benefit from the visa on arrival program include 27 African countries and 20 more from other parts of the world.
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“The decision by Namibia to implement a visa on arrival is in line with African Union drive to promote a visa-free Africa as well part of Namibia to improve the economy through tourism,” he said.
The 27 African countries selected include: Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Cameroon, Central Africa Republic (CAR), Chad, Comoros, Cote d’Ivoire, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Gabon, The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Madagascar, Mauritania, Niger, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Sierra Leone, Togo, Tunisia, Western Sahara Republic and Uganda.
The Minister, however, stated that the countries named will not be the only ones on the list for visas on arrival adding that the process is an ongoing and which will see more countries brought on board in future.
Those who will benefit from the new initiative include visitors, guests coming to attend meetings/workshops, medical visits, as well as friendship and family visits.
Kapofi made it clear that the arrangement excludes people going to Namibia for employment purposes as this group of people will be required to apply and acquire employment permits in advance.
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