Well done Namibia: Netizens rally behind country's visa requirements for Western nations

The Namib-Naukluft Park, a popular tourist attraction in Namibia. Picture: Unsplash

The Namib-Naukluft Park, a popular tourist attraction in Namibia. Picture: Unsplash

Published Jul 30, 2024

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What is good for the goose is good for the gander. That’s according to social media users from around the continent following Namibia’s decision to turn the tables on visa requirements for Western countries.

Namibia announced it’s decision in May 2024 to remove 31 countries from it’s visa exempt list.

Affected countries include Canada, Germany, the US, the UK, France, Spain, Japan and Italy. Nationals from these countries would be required to buy a 90 day visa-on-arrival fee of NAD1 200 (R1 200/€59/ $64) from April 2025.

@MaS1banda posted on X: “Namibia says fair is fair, & turns the visa table on non-reciprocating countries. From April 2025, citizens of Canada, Germany, US, UK & 29 other countries, will need a visa to enter Namibia. If Namibians pay for your visa, you’ll pay for theirs 🙅🏾.”

@Thandzlk responded: “As it should be. Africans have to jump through hoops for visas whilst their citizens get to just waltz into our borders stress free. If only more African nations would follow suit.”

— Homeland or Death 🇰🇪 (@iKikosi) July 25, 2024

@iKikosi said: “We need them to go through a medical process ($200) Biometrics ($150) And then visa fee ($160) They should also give up to 10 weeks processing time. Fair is fair. No Pr stunts.”

@lerato24604692 added: “Why isn’t this made to be the norm? We get that they will say economic relations this and that but these countries take advantage of that, while citizens of developing countries suffer to just merely travel.”

While @AndrewB44177242 wrote: “I think a European tourist is far less likely to overstay their visas in Namibia than a Namibian in Europe on economic grounds alone. Europe is currently experiencing mass illegal immigration from Africa and not visa versa.”