Namibia and Botswana have extended the usage of national identity (ID) cards for cross-border travel between the two countries to Ngoma, Impalila Island, and Mohembo Border Posts with immediate effect.
“To use the ID card as a travel document to Botswana, Namibians are advised to apply for the new-look ID, launched by the Ministry in October 2021,” said Etienne Maritz, the Executive Director of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety, and Security.
He stated that the new ID format is compliant with international best practices recommended by the International Civil Aviation Organization, making it suitable for border crossing purposes.
“The use of ID cards as travel documents will make border crossing easier, especially for border residents. For now, the national IDs can only be used as a travel document to visit Botswana,” Maritz added.
This development follows the agreement signed in February between Namibia and Botswana, allowing the use of IDs as travel documents between the two countries. The agreement initially applied to the Trans-Kalahari / Mamuno Border Post.
