Namibian Michelle Nehoya has invested nearly $500 (£390) in a visa application to visit Canada, but after more than two years, she still hasn’t received it. The 38-year-old from Windhoek is eager to reunite with her aunt and cousins in Quebec, whom she hasn’t seen in nearly ten years.
The application process has required her to complete numerous forms and provide six months of bank statements, an invitation letter, and a detailed travel history. Since there’s no application center in Namibia, she had to travel to South Africa to submit her biometric data, including fingerprints and a photo.
Nehoya’s experience reflects a broader trend, as in 2022, seven of the top ten countries with the highest visa rejection rates in the Schengen area were African, according to consultancy firm Henley and Partners.
Ms. Nehoya describes the process as “lengthy and frustrating,” noting that she hasn’t been given any explanation for the delays.
In contrast, if her family in Quebec were to visit Namibia using Canadian passports, they wouldn’t face the same difficulties or costs, as Canadian citizens can currently enter Namibia visa-free. However, this will change in eight months. Starting next April, Canadian nationals, along with those from Germany, the US, the UK, and 29 other countries, will need a visa to enter Namibia.
This new requirement will apply to all “non-reciprocating countries,” meaning it will affect citizens from countries that require Namibian passport holders to obtain visas.
Namibia’s immigration ministry explained in May that despite extending goodwill and favorable treatment to various nations, some countries have not reciprocated.
To address this imbalance, the Namibian government has decided to introduce a visa requirement to ensure fairness in diplomatic relations. However, visitors will be able to purchase a 90-day visa upon arrival for $90, unlike African passport holders who must meet more stringent pre-visa requirements.
Charles Moore, the British High Commissioner to Namibia, acknowledged Namibia’s right to implement new visa regulations. He explained that the UK had introduced a visa regime for Namibians last year due to a surge in asylum seekers, which had strained the relationship between the two countries. The UK government further clarified that there had been a significant increase in asylum applications from Namibians since 2016, which it deemed an abuse of the non-visa status for short visits.
For Michelle Nehoya, Namibia’s decision is seen as a positive move: “It feels like Namibia is standing up for itself and is fair.”
Reactions on social media reflect similar sentiments, with some commenters hoping that other countries will face similar requirements when entering Namibia.
One person expressed a desire for strict document requirements, while another suggested that if visa applicants must provide extensive documentation, then reciprocal measures should be applied.
The cost of visas for the Schengen area, the US, and Canada can be prohibitive for African passport holders. In 2023, the European Union generated over €53 million ($58 million; £45 million) from rejected visa applications from African countries, according to the Lago Collective.
The report indicated that many visa rejections stemmed from doubts about the applicant’s intent to return home. Recent increases in visa fees include a rise in Schengen short-term visas from €80 to €90 and a UK visa fee increase from £100 to £115. Additionally, nearly a third of African visa applications to the Schengen area were rejected, a rate higher than the global average.
Even when African travelers obtain visas, they often feel uncomfortable and unwelcome during border security checks. Winnie Byanyima, the Ugandan head of UNAids, highlighted this issue in a 2022 tweet, describing her experience at Geneva airport where her documents were scrutinized extensively and she was the last to board.
While Namibia’s new visa policy has received praise on social media, the tourism industry is more concerned. The Hospitality Association of Namibia expressed worries about the negative impact on global travel perceptions. In 2022, tourism was the third-largest contributor to Namibia’s GDP, accounting for 7%, with many visitors coming from countries like Germany and the US.
Tourism expert Soni Nrupesh from Windhoek believes the new visa requirement won’t significantly affect visitor numbers. He noted that travelers can still board flights without a visa and will only need to complete a form and pay fees upon arrival.
For prospective travelers like Ms. Nehoya, this reciprocity is seen as a step toward fairness. She expresses a desire for a future where visiting countries like Canada, the US, or the UK would allow for visas on arrival, rather than the extensive advance planning currently required.