The UK Government has introduced a visa requirement for all Namibian nationals intending to travel to the United Kingdom, including those visiting the country, with immediate effect.
The decision to implement the visa regime according to the UK Government, comes as a response to a notable increase in UK asylum applications from Namibian citizens, which has been a cause of concern since 2016.
“This constitutes an abuse of the provision to visit the UK for a limited period as non-visa nationals. The changes, which come into effect immediately, will apply to all Namibian nationals traveling to the UK,” announced the UK Government on Wednesday.
During a four-week transition period until August 16, 2023, Namibian nationals holding confirmed tickets booked before July 19, 2023, will still be able to travel to the UK without the need for a visa.
The new visa requirement aligns Namibia with other visa national countries, aiming to streamline and regulate the entry process.
British High Commissioner to Namibia, Charles Moore, said the significant increase in asylum claims from Namibian nationals upon arrival at the UK border has made the new measures necessary.
“I fully understand that the imposition of a visa regime will be of concern to the many Namibian nationals who we warmly welcome to visit the United Kingdom as genuine visitors. Unfortunately, the significant increase in asylum claims from Namibian nationals upon arrival at the UK border has made it necessary for us to implement these new measures,” he said.
“We have regularly discussed the increase in asylum applications with the Government of the Republic of Namibia and continue to work jointly on returning those Namibian nationals who are ultimately determined to be ineligible for asylum in the United Kingdom.”
