Namibia

Namibia visa guide: tourism, digital nomads, investors and students

7 visa types
checked 25 October 2026

How visas for Namibia work

Namibia's visas and permits are issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security (MHAISS). Holiday and short-term work visas are applied for online on the ministry's eServices portal or at the Namibian embassy or high commission accredited to your country of residence. The Embassy of Namibia in Berlin, for example, covers Germany, Poland, the Czech Republic, Türkiye and the Holy See.

From 1 April 2025 Namibia introduced a new regime in which nationals of many previously exempt countries, including EU states, the United Kingdom and the United States, pay NAD 1,600 for a visa on arrival at ten designated airports and border posts, or apply online in advance. Nationals who are neither exempt nor on the visa-on-arrival list obtain their visa before travelling, online or through a mission; the Berlin embassy, for instance, charges EUR 80 for a single-entry visa, EUR 130 for multiple entry and EUR 220 for express service, with a minimum processing time of three working days.

Longer stays need permits. Since 1 September 2026 qualifying investors can obtain a five-year Employment Permit to Conduct a Business through the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB). Remote workers earning at least USD 2,000 a month can apply for a six-month digital nomad visa (NAD 3,300), and students need a study permit, which takes two to three months.

Which visa do I need?

Holiday or safari: no visa if your country has an exemption agreement; NAD 1,600 visa on arrival or online for listed nationals; otherwise a tourism visa online at eservices.mhaiss.gov.na or through a Namibian mission.

Short-term work of up to three months: short-term work visa, online.

Working for a Namibian employer: short-term work visa up to 90 days, or an employment permit for longer work.

Working remotely for a foreign employer for up to six months: digital nomad visa (USD 2,000 a month).

Establishing or expanding a business: Employment Permit to Conduct a Business (Investor Permit), filed through NIPDB.

Studying at a Namibian institution: study permit, applied for well in advance.

Settling permanently: permanent residence permit (NAD 20,000), assessed case by case.

Visa types for Namibia

Visits and short stays

Tourist visa Tourism (holiday) visa
Nationals of countries without a visa exemption agreement need a tourism visa for a holiday or safari in Namibia, unless they are on the list of nationalities that buy a NAD 1,600 visa on arrival.
Validity: Embassy visas are valid for three months

Business and self-employment

Investor visa Employment Permit to Conduct a Business (Investor Permit)
Since 1 September 2026, qualifying investors and business persons can obtain Namibia's Employment Permit to Conduct a Business, valid for up to five years and serving as work authorisation for the approved business.
Maximum stay: Up to five years

Study and training

Student visa Study permit
Foreign students need a study permit to study in Namibia.
Processing time: Two to three months

Work

Work visa Employment permit and short-term employment visa
Foreigners working in Namibia need either a short-term employment visa, for up to 90 days a year at NAD 1,100, or an employment permit, at NAD 2,600 for a first application or extension.
Maximum stay: Work visa: up to 90 days a year; employment permit: usually two years
Digital nomad visa Namibia Digital Nomad Visa
Namibia's digital nomad visa lets freelancers, self-employed professionals and remote employees working for clients or employers outside Namibia live there for six months.
Maximum stay: Six months

Residence

Permanent residence Permanent residence permit (PRP)
Namibia's permanent residence permit gives a non-citizen the legal right to live in the country permanently.
Maximum stay: Permanent

Online travel permits

e-Visa Online visa application (MHAISS eServices)
The Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security runs an online visa system at eservices.mhaiss.gov.na.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a visa for Namibia?

It depends on your nationality. Nationals of countries with an exemption agreement need none; nationals on the ministry's visa-on-arrival list pay NAD 1,600 at the border or online; everyone else applies before travel, online on the MHAISS eServices portal or at a Namibian mission.

Which Namibian embassy handles my application?

The embassy or high commission accredited to your country of residence. The Embassy in Berlin, for example, covers Germany, Poland, the Czech Republic, Türkiye and the Holy See, and asks for proof of legal residence in one of them. Tourism visas can also be applied for online.

How much is a Namibia visa at an embassy?

Each mission publishes its own fees. The Berlin embassy charges EUR 80 for single entry, EUR 130 for multiple entry and EUR 220 for express processing, payable by bank transfer and non-refundable.

What passport validity does Namibia require?

At least six months from the date of entry and at least three full blank pages.

Does Namibia have a digital nomad visa?

Yes. It allows a six-month stay for remote workers earning at least USD 2,000 a month from outside Namibia and costs NAD 3,300.