Namibia entry requirements for Laos passport holders

Checked daily · Updated May 26, 2026·View sources
Visa required
Max stay
No fixed limit
Passport validity
6 months
Beyond entry date
Return ticket
Required
Or onward travel proof
Proof of funds
Recommended
May be checked

Laos passport holders need a visa to enter Namibia. You must apply at a Namibian embassy or consulate before you travel — there is no visa on arrival or eVisas for Lao citizens as of 2026.

Entry requirements

RequirementDetailsStatus
Visa application
Apply for a visa before travel
Laos passport holders need a visa to enter Namibia. Apply through the Namibia Ministry of Home Affairs and Immigration at mha.gov.na. Processing takes 5–10 working days — submit your application at least two weeks before departure.Apply for visaRequired
Valid passport
Must be valid for the duration of stay
Your passport must be valid for at least the entire period you plan to stay in Namibia. Airlines check this at check-in — if your passport expires before you leave, you will be denied boarding.Required
Return or onward ticket
Proof of onward travel
Immigration officers at Windhoek's Hosea Kutako International Airport routinely ask for a return or onward ticket. Have a printed copy or a screenshot ready on your phone showing your flight out of Namibia.Required
Proof of accommodation
Hotel booking or host invitation
Carry a printed hotel confirmation or a letter of invitation from your host in Namibia. Immigration may ask for it during the entry interview — having it ready avoids delays.Recommended
Proof of funds
Show you can support yourself
Have bank statements or a credit card showing access to at least 500 NAD per day of your stay. Immigration officers rarely ask, but if they do, you need to show you are not traveling without money.Recommended
No visa on arrival — apply in advance
Namibia does not offer visa on arrival or eVisas for Lao passport holders. You must get a visa from an embassy before you fly. Airlines will check this before boarding.
Passport validity counts from entry date
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the day you land in Namibia, not from your departure date. If it expires sooner, you'll be denied entry.

What happens at the border

1
Apply for a visa at a Namibian embassy
Contact the nearest Namibian embassy or consulate (e.g., in Bangkok, Beijing, or Kuala Lumpur) to submit your visa application. You'll need your passport, application form, passport photos, flight itinerary, hotel booking, and proof of funds. Processing takes 5–10 working days.
2
Prepare your documents for arrival
Before you fly, print or save digital copies of your visa approval, passport, return ticket, and accommodation booking. Keep them in your hand luggage — you'll show them at immigration in Windhoek's Hosea Kutako International Airport.
3
Arrive and go through immigration
At the airport, join the 'Foreign Passports' queue. Hand over your passport, visa (if already issued), and supporting documents. The officer may ask about your plans — answer clearly. You'll get an entry stamp valid for up to 90 days.
Download Namibia Entry Checklist
PDF · Laos Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated May 26, 2026
Download PDF

Staying longer & fees

Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:

Tourist visa single entry
Max stay90 days
Validity3 months from issue date
CostNAD 1,200 (~$65 USD)

Standard tourist visa for single entry.

Tourist visa multiple entry
Max stay90 days per entry
Validity6 months from issue date
CostNAD 2,400 (~$130 USD)

Allows multiple entries for tourism.

Business visa
Max stay90 days
Validity3 months
CostNAD 1,500 (~$81 USD)

Requires invitation letter from Namibian company.

work visa
Work Permit (Employment Visa)
Up to 2 years, renewable
NAD 2,000 (~$108 USD) application fee
For foreign nationals with a job offer from a Namibian employer. Requires employer sponsorship and proof of qualifications.
student visa
Student Visa
Duration of studies, renewable annually
NAD 1,500 (~$81 USD) application fee
For enrolled students at recognized Namibian institutions. Requires acceptance letter and proof of funds.
investor visa
Investor Permit
Up to 5 years, renewable
NAD 5,000 (~$270 USD) application fee
For individuals investing a minimum of NAD 500,000 (~$27,000 USD) in Namibia. Requires business plan and proof of investment.
Other fees
ServiceCost
Tourist visa (single entry)Standard fee for single entry tourist visa.NAD 1,200 (~$65 USD)
Tourist visa (multiple entry)Allows multiple entries within validity period.NAD 2,400 (~$130 USD)
Overstay fine per dayPenalty for overstaying visa validity.NAD 200 (~$11 USD) per day, max NAD 10,000 (~$540 USD)

Common reasons for entry denial

Insufficient funds30%
No return ticket25%
Incomplete documentation20%

Approval probability calculator

Answer 6 quick questions — we'll estimate how likely you are to be approved for entry based on typical immigration patterns.

Transiting through Namibia

No transit visa needed

Laos passport holders transiting through Namibia do not require a transit visa if staying airside and not passing through immigration. However, a visa is needed if leaving the airport.

Airside transitAllowed up to 24h
Transit hubsHosea Kutako International Airport (Windhoek) · Walvis Bay Airport

Health & vaccines for Namibia

Required for entry
Yellow FeverRequired if arriving from a country with yellow fever risk (e.g., parts of Africa or South America).
Recommended vaccines
Hepatitis AEssentialTyphoidRecommendedRoutine vaccines (MMR, DTP, polio)EssentialRabiesConsider
Health risks
MalariaModerate risk

Risk in northern regions (e.g., Caprivi Strip) and during rainy season (Nov–Apr).

Tick-borne diseasesLow risk

Rare but possible in rural areas; use insect repellent.

Food and waterborne diseasesModerate risk

Risk of traveler's diarrhea; drink bottled or boiled water.

Malaria risk: moderate

Risk in northern Namibia (e.g., Kavango, Zambezi regions) and during rainy season. Prophylaxis recommended for those areas.

Based on CDC and WHO guidance. Consult a travel medicine clinic 4–6 weeks before departure for personalised advice.

Immigration offices for extensions

Windhoek
Namibia Immigration Office (Head Office)
Private Bag 13200, Windhoek
Mon–Fri 08:00–16:00

Main office for visa extensions and permits. Bring all original documents.

Windhoek
Windhoek International Airport Immigration
Hosea Kutako International Airport
24/7

For entry/exit and transit issues.

Practical information for LA travellers

Country basics
CapitalWindhoek
LanguageEnglish
Driving sideLeft-hand traffic
US driving licenceUS visitors can drive with a valid US license for up to 90 days; an International Driving Permit is recommended.
Money
CurrencyNamibian dollar (NAD)
Exchange rate
1 USD = 16.25 NAD
updated May 29
Time zone
Local timeUTC+2
vs New York+6h
vs Los Angeles+9h
Electricity
Voltage220V / 50Hz
Plug types
D,MType D (3-pin round) and Type M (3-pin large round) plugs
⚠ US adapter needed
Water & health
Tap water
Not safe — use bottled
Tap water is generally not safe to drink outside major cities; stick to bottled water.
Emergency numbers
Police10111
Medical112
US EmbassyFind contact

Frequently asked questions

No. Namibia does not offer visa on arrival for Lao citizens. You must obtain a visa from a Namibian embassy or consulate before you travel.
Processing typically takes 5–10 working days. Apply at least 2–3 weeks before your planned departure to be safe.
Visa fees vary by embassy. Expect to pay around 30–60 USD equivalent. Check with the specific embassy you're applying at for the exact amount.
Extensions are not available for tourist visa holders. If you need to stay longer, you must leave and re-enter, or apply for a different visa type before your current one expires.
If you're arriving from a country with yellow fever risk (including transit over 12 hours), you'll need a yellow fever vaccination certificate. Otherwise, it's not required. Check the latest health requirements before you go.
You will be denied entry and sent back on the next flight. Airlines also check visa requirements before boarding — you won't be allowed to fly without a valid visa.
The closest embassy for Lao passport holders is usually the Namibian Embassy in Bangkok (Thailand) or Beijing (China). You can also check if there's a consulate in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia). Contact them directly for application instructions.

Official sources

Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on May 26, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.