Visas

Namibia is considering reciprocal measures for United Kingdom (UK) nationals visiting the country after the European nation yesterday scrapped visa-free entry by Namibians.Highly placed government sources told Namibian Sun that Cabinet is deliberating the possibility of also reinstating visa requirements for UK citizens.The ministry of international relations, in a statement late yesterday, said Cabinet is deliberating the UK’s decision “in order to ensure that Namibian nationals are not disadvantaged”.“The ministry hereby informs that Cabinet has established a committee to look into this matter,” executive director Penda Naanda said.The British High Commissioner, Charles Moore, yesterday announced that - effective immediately - Namibians will be required to have visas when travelling to the UK – even to visit.According to the High Commission, this comes as a result of a significant hike in asylum applications from Namibians since 2016.In March, Moore told Namibian Sun that there is no persecution of gay people in Namibia – a claim often used by those seeking asylum in his country.The UK had deported hundreds of Namibians since December 2022 and the number was believed to more than quadruple to a staggering 1 200 in the months that followed.Abuse"The decision to impose a visa regime has been made because of the sustained and significant increase since 2016 in the number of UK asylum applications from Namibian nationals at the UK border,” the High Commission said in a statement yesterday.“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 travelling to the UK."Earlier this year, the international relations ministry revealed that by February, 90% of Namibian asylum seekers&#039; applications had been declined.Consequently, Moore announced that there would be a four-week transition period starting immediately, which will end on 16 August at 15:00."During this period, Namibian nationals holding confirmed tickets booked before 19 July will still be permitted to travel to the UK as a non-visa national," the statement read.NecessaryMoore on occasion said although the decision will be a cause for concern to many Namibians, it is 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 UK as genuine visitors.“Unfortunately, the significant increase in asylum claims from Namibian nationals on arrival at the UK border has made it necessary for us to implement these new measures," he said.Namibian visitors already in the UK will not be affected by these changes, but once they leave the UK, they will need a visitor visa to make any future visit, Moore added."The UK government aims to process applications within 15 working days of receipt of the passport and biometrics. Applicants can apply up to three months in advance of travel. The cost of a six-month multiple entry visa for the UK can be found at www.gov.uk," he said.Increased capacityAccording to Moore, the changes will bring Namibia in line with many other countries, including many Commonwealth partners with whom the UK has relations."Visas provide access to the UK while helping to secure the UK border by preventing abuse of the non-visa provision.”The UK government has increased the capacity of the visa-application centre in Windhoek to accommodate the processing of visitor visa applications in Namibia, he assured.

Visas

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Namibian Sun 2024-11-15

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Visas

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Namibian Sun 2024-11-15

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