High commission
High commission of South Africa in Namibia
Cnr Nelson Mandela Avenue and Jan Jonker Street
Namibia visa requirements for South African citizens
South African citizens do not need a visa for Namibia. Show your passport at the border and stay up to 90 days.
Passport
ZAF
South Africa
Going to
NAM
Namibia
No visa needed
People from 22 listed countries and territories can visit without a holiday visa.
- Visa
- Not required
- Max stay
- 90 days (3 months)
- Fee
- Free
- Last updated
- 11 November 2026
What to do
Check your passport is valid for the whole stay, ideally six months beyond it.
Carry proof of onward travel and of funds; border officers can ask for both.
Note the maximum stay and count your days in Namibia.
Ways into Namibia
Your nationality decides which holiday entry route you can use.
Visa not required For your passportVisa-free holiday stayPeople from 22 listed countries and territories can visit without a holiday visa.
- Fee
- Free
How to apply
- Check that your nationality qualifies.
- Show your passport and return ticket on arrival.
Documents required
- Passport valid 6 months beyond stay
- Valid return ticket
- Check the ministry's May 2025 list before travel.
- Tourist entry does not allow you to work.
eVisaHoliday eVisaApply online before travel if you need a holiday visa.
- Stay
- 90 days
- Fee
- Official fees differ; check when applying
- Processing
- 5–10 days
- Entries
- Multiple
How to apply
- Open the Holiday Visa service from outside Namibia.
- Fill in the form and upload your documents.
- Follow the approval and payment steps.
- Download and print the issued visa.
- Use an entry point that accepts electronic visas.
Documents required
- Passport valid 6 months
- 3 blank passport pages
- Recent passport photo
- Online application
- Hotel booking or host invitation
- Proof of funds
- Travel plans
- Travel or medical insurance
- Processing estimates use working days; 90 days is the yearly maximum, not guaranteed.
- An approval or receipt is not your visa; follow its printed dates.
Sources (24)Last updated 11 November 2026
- Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security: Department of Immigration Control and Citizenship
- Official electronic Visa on Arrival service and nationality list
- Ministry visa requirements fact sheet, version 4, 28 May 2025, hosted by the Washington embassy
- Ministry: Countries Exempted
- Ministry: Visa classes, requirements and fees
- Ministry: Application Fees
- Ministry: Visa and Permits Processing Time
- Ministry: Visa and Permits FAQ
- Ministry: Customer Service Charter
- Ministry: Cabinet visa amendments, 27 March 2025
- Namibia Embassy, Washington: Consular Services
- Namibia Embassy, Washington: Foreign Nationals
- Official visa application instructions hosted by the Washington embassy
- Namibia Embassy, Washington: Temporary Work or Study Permit
- Namibia High Commission, London: Services for Foreign Nationals
- Namibia High Commission, New Delhi: Business Visa
- Namibia Embassy, Helsinki: Tourism and Entry visa
- Namibia Embassy, Berlin: Application for Study Permit
- Namibia Embassy, Berlin: Temporary Work and Employment Permit
- Namibia Embassy, Brussels: Exemptions and seamen
- Namibia Embassy, Vienna: Visa Requirements
- Namibia Honorary Consulate, Lisbon: Going there
- Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board: Digital Nomad Visa
- Board: Digital Nomad Visa FAQ; indexed official text read, direct document retrieval returned 404
Embassies for this trip
For lost passports and emergencies.
Coming from South Africa
- Plugs D MAdapter for some
- MoneyNAD $Same as home
- Time−1h
- DrivingOn the leftSame as home
- LanguageAfrikaansSpoken at home too
- Emergency10 111 policedepends on town/city ambulance
Planning your Namibia trip
- Sossusvlei and the Namib DesertSee rust-coloured sand and towering dunes. Their colours change at sunrise and sunset.
- Fish River CanyonThis vast canyon stretches for 160 km. It reaches nearly 550 metres deep.
- Etosha National ParkThe salt pan attracts wildlife, especially during the dry winter months.
- Skeleton Coast National ParkThis remote coast is known for fog, shipwrecks, stone and sand. Much of it is difficult to reach.
Scams to watch for in Namibia
- PickpocketingThieves steal belongings from your pockets or bag. Carrying a bag can also make you stand out as a tourist.
- Shared-taxi fare overchargingShared-taxi fares are regulated and are not open to bargaining. Some drivers charge tourists more because they do not know the standard fare.
- Taxi-linked robberySome taxi drivers identify vulnerable tourists and coordinate with robbers by phone. Sharing your exact accommodation can also reveal your likely route.
About Namibia
Namibia is a republic on the Atlantic coast of Southern Africa, holding two large deserts.
- Capital
- Windhoek
- Money
- Namibian dollar ($), South African rand (R)
- Languages
- Afrikaans, German, English
- Time zone
- UTC+01:00
- Cars drive on the
- left side
- Calling code
- +264
Other Africa passports
Going to Namibia
Easier trips nearby
Places close to Namibia with simpler entry for you.
Questions
Do south african citizens need a visa for Namibia?
South African citizens do not need a visa for Namibia. Show your passport at the border and stay up to 90 days.
How long can south african citizens stay in Namibia?
Up to 90 days each visit with the no visa needed rule. Staying longer can mean a fine or a ban from coming back.
Do namibian citizens need a visa for South Africa?
Namibian citizens do not need a visa for South Africa. Show your passport at the border and stay up to 90 days.
Do other Africa passports get easier entry to Namibia?
Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Kenya Lesotho, and 5 more can enter without applying before they travel.
Which countries near Namibia are easier for south african citizens?
Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Zimbabwe Angola, and 3 more let south african citizens in without applying before travel.
What should I carry to Namibia?
Check your passport is valid for the whole stay, ideally six months beyond it. Carry proof of onward travel and of funds; border officers can ask for both.
What money is used in Namibia?
Namibian dollar ($) and South African rand (R). Carry some cash for arrival, especially if a visa fee is paid at the border.
What language do people speak in Namibia?
Afrikaans, German, English Herero, and 5 more.
How strong is the South Africa passport?
It ranks #51 and reaches 91 destinations without applying ahead.
Reviewed by @snuck