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Namibia

Nationality · visas, permits and migration

Moved to OECD countries, 2023
830
Top destination, 2023
Germany
U.S. non-immigrant visas, FY2025
1,410
UK visas issued, 2025
1,249
Schengen visa refusal rate, 2024
5.2%
NationalityNAISO 3166
Year by year
Data as at 2025
NA<NANAMIBIA<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
NA1<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<2

Visa requirements for a short visit

Whether citizens of Namibia need a visa for a short tourist or business visit, according to the legal lists. Rules change; check the official source before travelling.

DestinationShort visitLegal basis
Schengen areaVisa requiredRegulation (EU) 2018/1806 (consolidated 30.12.2025)
United KingdomVisa requiredImmigration Rules, Appendix Visitor / ETA National List
CanadaTemporary resident visa requiredIRPR s. 190, Schedule 1.1
Hong KongNo visa for visits of up to 90 daysImmigration Department (HKSAR), visit visa requirements, 31.12.2025
Source: Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 (consolidated 30 Dec 2025); UK Immigration Rules, Appendix Visitor and ETA National List; Canada IRPR s. 190 and Schedule 1.1; Immigration Department (HKSAR), visit visa requirements as at 31 Dec 2025Data as at Oct 2026

Where people from Namibia move

Inflows of foreign nationals by country of nationality, as recorded by each destination (OECD).

Inflows to OECD countries, 2023
  1. Germany396
  2. Japan97
  3. Canada80
  4. Netherlands62
  5. United States40
  6. Australia38
  7. New Zealand24
  8. Austria13
  9. Hungary12
  10. Switzerland11
  11. Denmark8
  12. Finland8
  13. Luxembourg7
  14. Norway7
  15. Belgium6

Inflows to all OECD countries by year

415830200020032006200920122015201820212023
4158302000200420082012201620202023
Data table
2000154
2001137
2002274
2003235
2004250
2005245
2006305
2007283
2008281
2009281
2010357
2011360
2012393
2013486
2014401
2015415
2016406
2017516
2018532
2019664
2020383
2021494
2022722
2023830
Share going to the top destination
47.7%
Destinations recording arrivals
15
Source: OECD, International Migration Database (OECD.ELS.IMD), accessed 24 Oct 2026Data as at 2023

Living abroad

People born in Namibia who live in another country: mid-year estimates of the international migrant stock (UN DESA). Where a destination records citizenship rather than country of birth, its foreign citizens are counted.

Largest destinations, 2024
  1. South Africa34,273
  2. Australia1,890
  3. Botswana1,043
  4. Zambia1,026
  5. Angola917
  6. Tanzania622
  7. Finland179
  8. Denmark114
  9. Norway110
  10. Iceland65
  11. Kenya55
  12. Hungary29

Living abroad by year

24k48k19901995200020052010201520202024
24k48k19902000201020202024
Data table
199045,857
199536,999
200044,921
200547,680
201045,530
201543,728
202042,223
202440,371
Living abroad, 2024
40,371
Change since 2000
-10.1%
Share living in the largest destination, 2024
84.9%
Source: United Nations, DESA Population Division, International Migrant Stock 2024 (CC BY 3.0 IGO)Data as at 2024

United States

Visas issued to citizens of Namibia by U.S. consulates (fiscal years, October–September) and certified PERM labor certifications.

Non-immigrant visas by class, FY2025
  1. B1/B2887
  2. A2118
  3. J183
  4. C1/D73
  5. G253
  6. F144
  7. A124
  8. G122
  9. B120
  10. H2A14

Non-immigrant visas by fiscal year

9021,803201720182019202020212022202320242025
9021,80320172019202120232025
Data table
20171,223
20181,638
20191,585
2020684
2021450
20221,315
20231,803
20241,537
20251,410
Immigrant visas by class, FY2025
  1. IR26
  2. E36
  3. IR14
  4. F32
  5. I51
  6. IB21
  7. F41
  8. EW1
Immigrant visas, FY2025
26
Certified PERM labor certifications, FY2024 (latest year with citizenship)
7
Source: U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs, monthly visa issuances (public domain); U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC PERM disclosure data (public domain)Data as at FY2025

Green cards and U.S. citizenship

People born in Namibia who became U.S. lawful permanent residents (green cards) or U.S. citizens, and admissions of citizens of Namibia with an I-94 record (DHS, fiscal years).

Green cards by fiscal year

651302015201620172018201920202021202220232024
65130201520172019202120232024
Data table
201590
201690
2017130
201880
2019100
202090
202180
202250
2023100
2024100
Green cards by class of admission, FY2024
  1. Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens60
  2. Employment-based preferences30
  3. Diversity visa lottery10
  4. Refugees and asylees10
Green cards, FY2024 (born in Namibia)
100
Naturalizations, FY2024 (born in Namibia)
50
I-94 admissions, FY2024 (citizenship)
2,570
Source: U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Office of Homeland Security Statistics, Yearbook of Immigration Statistics 2024 (public domain)Data as at FY2024

United Kingdom

Entry clearance visas issued to nationals of Namibia (Home Office) and students with a permanent address in Namibia (HESA).

Visas issued by group, 2025
  1. Visitor1,077
  2. Family80
  3. Study37
  4. Other31
  5. Work24

Visas issued by year

6371,273201020122014201620182020202220242025
6371,273201020132016201920222025
Data table
2010137
2011129
2012116
2013100
2014152
2015135
2016121
2017159
2018156
2019148
2020117
2021145
2022233
2023778
20241,273
20251,249
Students at UK universities, 2024/25
60
Source: Home Office, Immigration system statistics (year ending June 2026), Open Government Licence v3.0Data as at 2025

Canada

Permits and invitations for citizens of Namibia, by year the permit took effect (IRCC).

YearTFWP workIMP workStudyPermanent residentsExpress Entry invitations
2025000150
2024000400
2023000600
2022005600
2021000600
2020000750
20190001150
20180051250
20170001150
2016000500
2015005900
Source: IRCC, monthly open data (rounded to the nearest 5). Open Government Licence – CanadaData as at 2025

Australia

Temporary skilled visas (subclass 457 to 2018, then 482) granted to primary applicants who are citizens of Namibia, by financial year ending 30 June (Home Affairs).

Primary visas granted by financial year

10202005–062007–082009–102011–122013–142015–162017–182019–202021–222023–242025–26
10202005–062009–102013–142017–182021–222025–26
Data table
2005–067
2006–0711
2007–0815
2008–099
2009–103
2010–112
2011–128
2012–136
2013–143
2014–154
2015–161
2016–175
2017–181
2018–194
2019–208
2020–213
2021–227
2022–2320
2023–2410
2024–2511
2025–265
By stream, 2025–26
  1. Core Skills5
Granted, 2025–26
5
Share of all Australian grants, 2025–26
0.0%
Source: Department of Home Affairs (Australia), BP0014 Temporary Resident (skilled) visas granted, data locked at 30 Sep 2026 (data.gov.au, CC BY)Data as at 2025–26

Japan

Citizens of Namibia living in Japan at the end of each December, by status of residence (Immigration Services Agency of Japan). 2020 and 2021 were published only as database tables.

Foreign residents in Japan

36722012201420162018202220242025
36722012201420162018202220242025
Data table
20126
20137
20148
201519
201621
201713
201817
201923
202237
202353
202472
202558
By status of residence, December 2025
  1. Student26
  2. Designated Activities13
  3. Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services7
  4. Instructor4
  5. Permanent Resident2
  6. Dependent2
  7. Trainee1
  8. Spouse or Child of Japanese National1
  9. Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident1
  10. Professor1
Residents, December 2025
58
In work-related statuses
12
Share in work-related statuses
20.7%
Students
26
Source: Immigration Services Agency of Japan, Statistics on Foreign Residents (在留外国人統計), Table 1, end of December (e-Stat; Government of Japan Standard Terms of Use 2.0)Data as at Dec 2025

Schengen visas in Namibia

Short-stay (C) visa applications at Schengen consulates located in Namibia, 2024. Applicants are mostly, but not only, its citizens.

Schengen stateApplicationsIssuedNot issuedRefusal rate
Germany2,8772,7271184.1%
Spain1,4411,303926.4%
Finland800744546.8%

Applications by year

3,6657,3292009201020112012201320142015201620172018201920202021202220232024
3,6657,329200920122015201820212024
Data table
20095,048
20106,106
20113,320
20123,232
20136,483
20146,875
20157,329
20166,863
20176,785
20186,205
20196,485
20201,123
2021959
20224,508
20235,575
20245,118
Refusal rate, 2024
5.2%
Refusal rate, 2019
3.1%
Source: European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs, visa statistics for consulates (CC BY 4.0)Data as at 2024

Residence permits in Europe

First residence permits issued to citizens of Namibia in EU and EFTA countries, 2025 (Eurostat).

First permits by reason
  1. Work186
  2. Education175
  3. Family127
  4. Other reasons71
First permits by country
  1. Germany269
  2. Netherlands70
  3. Poland21
  4. France19
  5. Spain19
  6. Hungary17
  7. Ireland17
  8. Portugal16
  9. Switzerland16
  10. Denmark13
  11. Italy12
  12. Belgium11
Work permits by type, 2025
  1. EU Blue Card6
  2. Highly skilled workers (national schemes)30
  3. Researchers8
  4. Other paid activities142
EU Blue Cards granted, 2024
22
Citizenships acquired in the EU, 2024
69
Students in EU/EFTA tertiary education, 2024
519
Refused entry at EU external borders, 2025
0
Valid residence permits, 31 Dec 2025
2,348
Long-term residence permits issued, 2025
101
Changed status into work, 2025
26
Seasonal work authorisations, 2024
1
Source: Eurostat (migr_resfirst, migr_resbc11, migr_acq, educ_uoe_mobs02, migr_eirfs, migr_pop1ctz), CC BY 4.0Data as at 2024–2025

National statistics in Europe

Citizens of Namibia in the figures of national statistics offices: residence permits granted in Denmark, immigrations by grounds for settlement in Sweden and immigrants with a non-EU/EFTA nationality by migration motive in the Netherlands; Finland and Austria publish immigration and emigration by citizenship only.

CountryYearAllWorkStudyFamilyProtectionOther or unknown
Denmark20251345400
CountryYearImmigrationEmigrationNet migration
Finland202537-4
Austria20251422-8
Source: Danmarks Statistik, Statistikbanken VAN66 and VAN77M (CC BY 4.0); SCB (Statistics Sweden), Statistikdatabasen TAB1614 and TAB6670 (CC0); CBS (Statistics Netherlands), StatLine 84809NED (CC BY 4.0); Statistics Finland (Tilastokeskus), StatFin 11a8 (CC BY 4.0); Statistik Austria, OGD_bevwan020_AUSSENWAND_100 (CC BY 4.0)Data as at 2025

Foreign embassies and consulates in Namibia

Countries with an embassy or consulate in Namibia, as recorded in Wikidata.

CountryEmbassiesConsulates-generalConsulates
Algeria1——
Angola1——
Brazil1——
China1——
Finland1——
France1——
Germany1——
Indonesia1——
Japan1——
Malaysia1——
Portugal1——
Russia1——
Spain1——
Türkiye1——
Countries
14
Missions
14
Source: Wikidata (CC0)Data as at Oct 2026

Remittances

Money that migrants send home: personal remittances received by Namibia, in current US dollars (World Bank).

Remittances received by year, US$ million

4896200020032006200920122015201820212024
4896200020052010201520202024
Data table
20009
20018
20028
200312
200415
200517
200616
200716
200814
200977
201069
201179
201280
201364
201481
201547
201666
201748
201854
201966
202060
202163
202271
202384
202496
Remittances received, 2024
US$96 million
Share of GDP, 2024
0.7%
Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators (CC BY 4.0)Data as at 2024

Official data, not advice. Visa Atlas publishes figures from government registers and statistics. It does not assess eligibility or give immigration advice; for advice, consult a regulated adviser. Read more