The UK has clamped down on Namibians visiting the country, due to what it calls “the abuse of the provision to visit the UK for a limited period as a non-visa national”.
This means Namibian nationals now need visas to enter the UK, and the UK government Home Office International Operations in Pretoria has issued a communique to airlines to this effect.
The Home Office says arrangements are in place so that Namibian nationals can apply for UK visas in Namibia and at any other Visa Application Centre.
The notice says there will be a four-week transition period for those who have booked travel before 15h00 (BST) on July 19, 2023, and who will arrive in the UK before 15h00 on August 16, 2023.
“The decision to impose a visa regime has been taken solely for migration and border security reasons. Since 2016, there has been a sustained and significant increase in the number of UK asylum applications from Namibian nationals on arrival at the UK border constituting an abuse of the provision to visit the UK for a limited period as a non-visa national,” says the notice.
The Home Office advises airlines: “Any passenger claiming to be exempt from requiring a visa should be referred to your local Home Office International Operations(HOIO) team for checks.
“Checking with HOIO before boarding will help to reduce the possibility of a Carriers Liability Charge (currently 2000GBP {R46 158} per passenger). Namibian passengers who require a visa and are not in possession of one will from today be classed as Inadequately Documented.
More UK visa information is available on www.gov.uk/fcdo
