Namibia ranks 111th in global passport mobility index

Namibia ranks seventh in Africa and 111th globally in the latest passport mobility ranking published by Passport Reports, with visa requirements continuing to limit access to many international destinations for Namibian travellers.

According to Passport Reports, Namibia has a mobility score of 66, with ordinary passport holders able to access 33.3% of the 198 destinations assessed without a traditional visa obtained in advance or through simplified entry procedures.

Of the destinations assessed, Namibian passport holders can travel to 45 visa-free, use an electronic travel authorisation for four, and obtain a visa on arrival or use another qualifying facilitated entry arrangement for 17. The remaining 132 destinations require a visa before departure.

The figures highlight the barriers facing Namibians seeking to travel internationally, particularly to countries where advance visa applications are compulsory.

Within Africa, Namibian passport holders enjoy visa-free access to several countries, including Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Outside Africa, Brazil, Singapore and Malaysia are among the destinations listed as visa-free. However, entry conditions vary. Singapore and Malaysia, for example, require arrival cards and specify a stay of up to 30 days under the arrangements listed in the report.

Other destinations require additional procedures. Côte d’Ivoire falls under the electronic travel authorisation category, with 90-day pre-enrolment, while Seychelles requires 90-day tourist registration. Burundi and Cambodia offer visas on arrival alongside electronic visa options, while Thailand allows a 15-day stay under the arrangement listed.

One of the report’s most significant hypothetical scenarios concerns Namibia securing visa-free access to the Schengen Area, which currently comprises 29 countries.

All 29 destinations are listed as requiring visas for Namibian ordinary-passport holders. If visa-free access were granted throughout the area, Namibia’s visa-free destination count would rise from 45 to 74, while its mobility score would increase from 66 to 95. Under this scenario, Namibia’s global ranking would improve from 111th to 84th, assuming other countries’ scores and rankings remained unchanged. The number of destinations requiring advance visas would fall from 132 to 103.

Click here for more details: https://www.passportreports.com/namibia-passport-ranking/