Namibia entry requirements for Rwanda passport holders

Checked daily · Updated May 30, 2026·View sources
Visa on arrival
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

Rwandan passport holders can get a visa on arrival in Namibia. No need to apply in advance — just show up at the airport or land border with your passport and pay the fee. This policy is in effect for 2026.

Entry requirements

RequirementDetailsStatus
Visa on arrival
Visa on arrival
Get your visa on arrival at Hosea Kutako International Airport (Windhoek) and other land borders. Pay the visa fee in cash — USD or NAD accepted. Have two passport-sized photos and your return ticket ready.Required
Valid passport
Passport validity
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended departure date from Namibia. Airlines check this before boarding — don't risk being denied at check-in.Required
Return or onward ticket
Proof of onward travel
Immigration officers routinely ask for proof of onward travel. Have a printed or digital copy of your return flight or onward ticket to a third country.Required
Proof of accommodation
Hotel booking or invitation letter
Carry a hotel confirmation or a letter from your host in Namibia. Immigration may ask for it, especially if you're arriving without a pre-booked itinerary.Recommended
Proof of funds
Sufficient funds for stay
Be ready to show you have enough money for your stay — around 500 NAD per day is a safe benchmark. A bank statement or cash in hand works.Recommended
Cash only for visa fee
The visa on arrival fee must be paid in cash (USD, EUR, or NAD). No credit cards, no mobile money. Have exact change if possible — immigration officers may not have change for large bills.
Yellow fever certificate required
If you're arriving from Rwanda (which has yellow fever risk), you must present a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate. Without it, you may be denied entry or placed in quarantine. Get the shot at least 10 days before travel.

What happens at the border

1
Arrive at immigration
At Hosea Kutako International Airport (Windhoek) or any land border, go to the 'Visa on Arrival' counter. There is usually a separate queue from visa-free nationals.
2
Present documents and pay fee
Hand over your passport, completed arrival card (given on the plane or at the border), return ticket, and accommodation confirmation. Pay the visa fee in cash (USD, EUR, or NAD).
3
Receive visa and proceed
The officer will stamp or stick the visa into your passport. Check the validity dates before walking away. Then proceed to baggage claim and customs.
Download Namibia Entry Checklist
PDF · Rwanda Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated May 30, 2026
Download PDF

Staying longer & fees

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

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

Apply at Namibian embassy or high commission.

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

Allows multiple visits within validity period.

Work visa
Max stayUp to 2 years, renewable
ValidityVaries with employment contract
CostNAD 1,500 (~$81 USD) plus processing fee

Requires employer sponsorship and work permit.

Student visa
Max stayDuration of studies, renewable
ValidityUp to 1 year initially
CostNAD 1,000 (~$54 USD)

Requires acceptance from a Namibian educational institution.

work visa
Work Visa (Employment Permit)
Up to 2 years, renewable
NAD 1,500 (~$81 USD) plus processing fee
For foreign nationals with a job offer from a Namibian employer. Requires a work permit and employer sponsorship. Allows long-term stay and work.
student visa
Student Visa
Duration of studies, renewable annually
NAD 1,000 (~$54 USD)
For individuals enrolled in a full-time program at a recognized Namibian institution. Requires proof of enrollment and sufficient funds.
investor visa
Investor Visa
Up to 5 years, renewable
NAD 5,000 (~$270 USD) plus investment proof
For individuals investing a minimum amount (e.g., NAD 1 million) in a Namibian business. Requires business plan and proof of funds.
retirement visa
Retirement Visa
Up to 5 years, renewable
NAD 2,000 (~$108 USD) plus proof of pension
For retirees aged 55+ with a guaranteed monthly pension of at least NAD 10,000. Allows long-term stay without work rights.
Other fees
ServiceCost
Visa on arrival (single entry)Payable in cash (Namibian dollars or South African rand) at port of entry.NAD 1,200 (~$65 USD)
Tourist visa (single entry, pre-arranged)Can be obtained from Namibian embassy before travel.NAD 1,200 (~$65 USD)
Tourist visa (multiple entry)Valid for multiple entries within a specified period.NAD 2,400 (~$130 USD)
Overstay finePayable at immigration office before departure.NAD 200 per day (~$11 USD), max NAD 10,000 (~$540 USD)

Common reasons for entry denial

Insufficient funds30%
No return ticket25%
Incomplete documents20%

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

Rwanda passport holders transiting through Namibia do not require a transit visa if they remain airside and have a confirmed onward ticket. However, if you need to clear immigration (e.g., to change airports or collect luggage), you must obtain a visa on arrival or a pre-arranged visa.

Airside transitAllowed
Transit hubsHosea Kutako International Airport (Windhoek) · Walvis Bay Airport

Health & vaccines for Namibia

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

Present in northern regions (e.g., Kavango, Zambezi) during rainy season (Nov–Apr). Prophylaxis recommended for those areas.

Tick-borne diseases (e.g., Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever)Low risk

Rare but possible in rural areas; avoid tick bites.

Food and waterborne diseasesModerate risk

Risk of traveler's diarrhea; drink bottled or boiled water and eat well-cooked food.

Malaria risk: moderate

Malaria risk is highest in northern regions (e.g., Kavango, Zambezi) from November to April. Prophylaxis (e.g., atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline) is recommended for those areas. Low risk in Windhoek and central/southern regions.

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

Immigration offices for extensions

Windhoek
Directorate of Immigration and Border Control
Private Bag 13200, Windhoek
Mon–Fri 08:00–16:00

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

Windhoek
Ministry of Home Affairs and Immigration
Corner of Kasino and Dr. Kenneth Kaunda Streets, Windhoek
Mon–Fri 08:00–16:00

Handles visa applications and inquiries. Arrive early to avoid long queues.

Practical information for RW 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 = 16.22 NAD
updated May 30
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

The standard single-entry tourist visa costs around NAD 1,200 (about USD 65). You can pay in Namibian dollars, US dollars, or euros. Cash only — no cards accepted at the immigration counter.
No, the visa on arrival is not extendable. If you need to stay longer than the granted period (usually up to 90 days), you must apply for an extension at the Ministry of Home Affairs and Immigration in Windhoek before your visa expires. Overstaying can result in fines or a ban.
If you are arriving from a country with yellow fever risk (including Rwanda), you must show a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate. Without it, you may be denied entry or quarantined. Get the vaccine at least 10 days before travel.
The same visa on arrival policy applies at all official land border crossings (e.g., from Botswana, South Africa, Zambia). The process is the same — queue, pay, get stamped. But land borders may have limited cash change, so bring small denominations.
No, the standard visa on arrival is single-entry. If you leave Namibia (e.g., to visit Victoria Falls in Zambia) and want to return, you'll need to apply for a new visa on arrival each time.
Keep your passport, return ticket (printed or screenshot), accommodation confirmation, and cash for the visa fee in your hand luggage. You'll need them before you reach baggage claim.
At Hosea Kutako International Airport, expect 15–30 minutes in the queue, plus a few minutes at the counter. During peak hours (evening arrivals), it can take up to an hour. Land borders are usually faster.

Official sources

Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on May 30, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.