When visiting

Paul van Schalkwyk www.tala.com.na

Basic visitor’s passport and visa requirements for a visit to Namibia. 

• Anyone visiting Namibia must be in possession of a passport that is valid for at least six months after date of entry.
• A visa is required from all visitors except nationals of countries with which Namibia has the necessary visa abolition agreement.
• No visas are required for South African passport holders travelling as bona fide tourists.
• All other Southern African citizens require visas, for instance when travelling to Namibia for business reasons.
• Holidaymakers and tourists are welcome to remain in the country for a period of 90 days. Business visas are granted at the discretion of the immigration authorities.
• It should be noted that immigration officials have the authority to grant duration of stay, which is to be based on the information provided on the arrival form, and tourists are advised to check their passports and documentation to ensure that the visa granted matches the duration of stay intended.
• Tourist visas can be obtained from the Ministry of Home Affairs, at Namibian embassies and the NTB office in Cape Town. Please note that visas cannot be obtained from points of entry.
• Visas can be extended and applications for extension of visas granted must be submitted to any Home Affairs Office, with prescribed fees applying.
• If visitors to Namibia have a tourist/holiday visa, they are not allowed to engage in any employment while in the country. Should they wish to do so, they should apply for an employment permit in their country of residence prior to entry. The same applies for study permits.

Opening times at border posts

By Paul van Schalkwyk www.tala.com.na

(NOTE: These opening hours are according to Namibian summertime. During the winter months from April to September, watches must be moved one hour earlier.)

• Noordoewer: open 24 hours

• Ariamsvlei: open 24 hours
• Buitepos: open 07:00–24:00
• Wenela: open 06:00–18:00
• Ngoma: open 07:00–18:00
• Mata Mata: open 08:00–16:30 
• Sendelingsdrift: open 08:00–16:30 
• Dobe: open 07:00–16:30
• Impalila/Kasane: open 07:00–17:00
• Oshikango: open 08:00–19:00
• Katitwe: open 08:00–18:00
• Velloorsdrift: open 08:00–16:30
• Klein Manasse: open 08:00–16:30
• Oranjemund: open 06:00–22:00
• Ruacana: open 08:00–19:00
• Omahenene: open 08:00–19:00
• Muhembo: open 06:00–18:00
• Hohlweg: open 08:00–16:30

By Paul van Schalkwyk www.tala.com.na

Cross-border charges

Road-user charges have been imposed to generate sufficient funding to maintain a safe and economically efficient road sector in Namibia.

Cross-Border Charges or Entry Fees to be paid by all foreign-registered vehicles entering the country amount to

• N$220.00 per vehicle
• N$140.00 for a trailer, motorcycle or caravan,
• and buses either N$520.00 or N$660.00, depending on the number of axles.

Tourists driving privately owned vehicles and foreign-registered rental vehicles are required to pay CBCs, for which a CBC certificate will be issued for every entry into Namibia.

The fees vary between the types of vehicle.

Permits for regular road users travelling within 10 km of a designated border post will be issued at the discretion of the RFA (Road Fund Administration) at a cost of N$310.00.

Hosea Kutako International Airport

These permits will be valid for three months or 30 crossings.

Cash payments can be made in Namibia dollars at all border posts or designated payment offices, while credit-card payments can be effected at all border posts except Ruacana/Omahenene.

Prepayment options are available at Ariamsvlei, Noordoewer-, Buitepos, Katima Mulilo and Oshikango.

To enter Botswana from Caprivi, the fee is 50 pula one-way and 90 pula return, with an additional 50 pula for insurance valid for three months, and 20 pula for road fund, both valid for one year.

Owners of all foreign vehicles entering Botswana must pay fees to the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund, which amount to 50 pula per vehicle, 100 pula per minibus and 200 pula per large bus. These fees are valid for 90 days.

When entering Zimbabwe or Zambia road use taxes may fluctuate, depending on immigration officials. Fees also vary according to the size of the vehicle’s engine. It is advisable to carry enough cash with you, in US dollars.

To enter Zimbabwe from Caprivi, the tax payable on vehicles will be US$150.00 minimum, valid for one year, and when entering Zambia, US$30 for insurance, minimum US$10 for carbon tax, maximum US$100 for road transport and safety fees and US$5 for council fees. Owners of all vehicles entering Zambia must pay a cross-border charge of US$20, which is payable only in US$.

Please note, however, that the times, fees and conditions are subject to change and that the prices could change at any time.