Niël Terblanché
The Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security has rejected recent claims circulating on social media that the recently introduced Visa on Arrival (VoA) system is causing delays and damaging Namibia’s reputation as a tourist destination.
Etienne Maritz, the executive director of the home affairs ministry, responded to an article published by Spotlighting Namibia under the headline “Visa on Arrival: Travel Industry Fears Damage to Namibia’s Image.
He described the assertions in the article as misleading, irresponsible, and alarmist.
Maritz maintained that the piece contains “factually incorrect” information and appears to be “a deliberate attempt to distort public perception, create confusion, and discredit a successful national policy.”
He said that since the introduction of the VoA system, more than 70 000 tourists and visitors have entered Namibia using either manual or online visa application channels.
Maritz added that the programme has generated N$100 million in visa revenue, which was paid into the State Revenue Fund to support national development projects.
He stressed that the system is not only functioning well but has also undergone recent reforms to improve the visitor experience.
“The eVisa has been upgraded to simultaneously serve as a VoA form. Payment is made in advance, documentation is valid upon arrival, and travellers proceed directly to immigration clearance without any further administrative steps,” he said.
Maritz also provided concrete examples to support the ministry’s position.
On Sunday, 25 May 2025, 243 passengers from Frankfurt were processed at Hosea Kutako International Airport (HKIA) in 1 hour and 15 minutes—an average of 19 seconds per traveller.
A second flight from Addis Ababa, carrying 212 passengers, was cleared in 1 hour and 23 minutes, averaging 23 seconds per traveller.
“These are the verified, accurate clearance times. They directly dismiss the unfounded claims made by Spotlighting Namibia, which erroneously suggested passenger processing delays of three to four hours,” he stated.
Maritz also pointed to the Electronic Border Management System (EBMS) used by immigration officials, which provides real-time monitoring of all entries and exits.
“This data-driven system, officials argue, ensures the efficiency and security of border operations and refutes speculative reporting,” he said.
Regarding fees, Maritz stated that all travellers were made aware of the updated visa fee structure, as published in Government Gazette No. 8613.
He added that nationals of African countries pay N$1 200 for a standard visa, with reduced rates for children, while nationals of other countries pay N$1 600.
Children under six are exempt from visa fees.
Maritz described the fee structure as competitive and equitable, and in line with Namibia’s broader objectives of regional integration and global tourism development.
He called on the public to disregard unverified and speculative information.
He said that the ministry is fully committed to secure and efficient border management.
“Namibia remains open for tourism, secure for visitors, and steadfast in its commitment to excellence and hospitality,” he said.
