For too long, Western countries have enjoyed their cushy, exclusive visa policies. But Namibia’s done playing nice. If your country isn’t offering visa-free travel to Namibians, don’t expect any red-carpet treatment when you visit Namibia.
Take Michelle Nehoya, for example. This 38-year-old from Windhoek spent nearly $500 trying to get a Canadian visa, and what did she get for her troubles? Two years later, she’s still visa-less.
Michelle’s ordeal included endless forms, a six-month bank statement, an invitation letter, and a detailed travel history. And because Namibia doesn’t have a Canadian visa office, she had to trek to South Africa for her biometric data. Fun times, right?
Michelle’s story isn’t unique. Africans trying to visit Western countries face similar bureaucratic nightmares. In 2022, seven out of ten countries with the highest Schengen visa rejection rates were from Africa. The process is slow, frustrating, and opaque.
Meanwhile, Canadians can waltz into Namibia without a visa. But that’s about to change.
Namibia’s Visa Payback
Starting next April, citizens from Canada, Germany, the US, the UK, and 29 other countries will need a visa to enter Namibia. This policy targets nations that require Namibians to jump through hoops for a visa.
Namibia’s been the nice guy for too long, offering visa-free access to many. But if you’re not reciprocating, Namibia’s new policy is simple: no visa-free entry for you.
This is a breeze compared to the grueling process African passport holders endure to visit Western countries.
British High Commissioner to Namibia, Charles Moore, acknowledged Namibia’s right to implement the new rules. He mentioned the UK imposed visa requirements on Namibia last year due to an increase in asylum applications. Fair’s fair, right?
The British government also noted a significant rise in Namibian asylum seekers since 2016.
So, Namibia is finally standing up for itself and calling out the hypocrisy. Western countries, get ready to fill out those forms and pay those fees. Karma’s a visa requirement, isn’t it?