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JOHANNESBURG. — 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 to remove 31 countries from it’s visa exempt list.

@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.”

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

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 N$1 200 from April 2025.

These include all “non-reciprocating countries” – meaning the new visa rules will affect citizens from all countries that require Namibian passport holders to have visas.

“Namibia has extended gestures of goodwill and favourable treatment to nationals of various countries. However, despite these efforts, certain nations have not reciprocated,” Namibia’s immigration ministry said .

“In light of this disparity, the government has deemed it necessary to implement a visa requirement to ensure parity and fairness in diplomatic interactions.”

But these visitors will be able to buy their 90-day visa, costing US$90, on arrival in Namibia – unlike the onerous requirements placed on African passport holders who need to get their visas beforehand.

The British High Commissioner to Namibia, Charles Moore, said he respected the right of Namibia to impose new regulations.

“[The UK] unfortunately imposed a visa regime on Namibia last year due to the number of asylum seekers we were receiving. That was impacting on our relationship with Namibia,” he said.

A statement from the UK government further explained there had been a sustained and significant increase in the number of asylum applications from Namibians at the UK border since 2016.

“This constitutes an abuse of the provision to visit the UK for a limited period as non-visa nationals,” it said. – BBC.com