The Namibia eVisa for business travelers costs 1,600 NAD (~£70) and takes 5-10 business days. UK applicants need a valid passport, invitation letter, return flight, and accommodation proof. Apply via eservices.mhaiss.gov.na at least three weeks ahead.
Do You Need a Namibia eVisa or a Visa on Arrival?
UK passport holders must obtain a Namibia eVisa for business travelers before departure. Since 1 April 2025, Namibia replaced Visa on Arrival with a mandatory electronic visa on arrival system for most categories, including business, transit, and work. UK nationals can no longer obtain a visa at the border and must apply online through the Namibian Ministry of Home Affairs portal at eservices.mhaiss.gov.na. The Namibia eVisa for business travelers application window opens up to 90 days before the intended travel date.
Basic Eligibility & Passport Requirements for Namibia eVisa
A Namibia eVisa for business travelers requires a machine-readable UK passport valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry into Namibia, with 2 consecutive blank pages for entry stamps. Temporary or emergency passports may not qualify. The passport biometric page must be scanned in colour for upload in JPEG or PDF format. Passport validity is the most common rejection cause for the Namibia business eVisa; verify the expiry date before starting the application form.
Namibia eVisa Categories – Business, Transit & Work Explained
The Namibia eVisa for business travelers is one of three eVisa categories available to UK applicants. Each permits specific activities with distinct durations and sponsorship requirements.
| Category | Permitted Activities | Maximum Stay | Sponsorship Required | Typical Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business eVisa | Non-remunerated: meetings, conferences, negotiations, fact-finding | 30 days per visit (validity: 90 days from issue) | No | Short-term commercial visit from the UK |
| Transit eVisa | Leaving the airside area at Hosea Kutako International Airport (WDH) | 72 hours | No | Layover in Windhoek en route to another destination |
| Work eVisa / Temporary Work Permit | Paid employment, consulting for remuneration, productive work | Longer than business eVisa (no exact figure published) | Yes – Namibian employer contract mandatory | Employment with a Namibian company |
The Namibia eVisa for business travelers and the transit eVisa both cost 1,600 NAD (~£70) for travellers aged 11 and over. Paid work requires a separate Temporary Work Permit (Police Clearance + proof of qualifications). The transit eVisa applies for a 72-hour stay when leaving the airside area at WDH.
Business eVisa – Scope of Permitted Activities
The Namibia eVisa for business travelers permits non-remunerated activities: meetings, conferences, negotiations, and fact-finding. Incidental sightseeing is allowed. Paid employment, consulting for remuneration, or any productive work is legally prohibited. Valid 90 days from issue, single entry, 30-day maximum stay per visit.
Transit eVisa – Hosea Kutako Airport (WDH)
A transit eVisa is required when leaving the airside area at Hosea Kutako International Airport (WDH). Maximum transit duration is 72 hours; the fee is 1,600 NAD (~£70). If you remain airside during your layover and do not pass through border control, no transit eVisa is needed.
Work eVisa vs Business eVisa – Key Differences & Legal Risks
Performing paid work on a Namibia eVisa for business travelers risks deportation and a future entry ban. A Temporary Work Permit requires Namibian employer sponsorship, an employment contract, proof of professional qualifications, and a Police Clearance certificate. Processing takes longer than the business eVisa. Multiple entry is not available on the standard business eVisa; leaving and re-entering requires a new application.
Namibia Business eVisa – Complete Document Checklist
8 core documents required (JPEG or PDF format) for the Namibia eVisa for business travelers:
- Passport biometric page scan – colour copy, machine-readable, 6+ months validity, 2 consecutive blank pages.
- Digital passport photograph – 35 x 45 mm, minimum 600 x 600 px at 300 DPI, white background, no glasses, taken within last 3 months.
- Business invitation letter (letter of invitation) – from Namibian host, must include company registration number, purpose, dates, host contact.
- UK employer cover letter – on company letterhead confirming business purpose.
- Return flight ticket – booking confirmation showing departure from Namibia.
- Hotel reservation or host accommodation confirmation – covering full stay duration.
- Travel insurance – minimum recommended cover of £15,000 for medical expenses.
- Proof of financial means – corporate guarantee letter from UK employer, or bank statements if self-funded.
The Namibia business eVisa application fee of 1,600 NAD (~£70) is payable by Visa or Mastercard on the portal.
Invitation Letter – Template & Required Fields
The letter of invitation from the Namibian host company must include: company registration number, purpose of visit, travel dates, and host contact details. A generic letter missing the company registration number risks rejection. The letter should be on company letterhead and signed by an authorised representative.
Common eVisa Application Mistakes & How to Avoid Them
Top rejection causes for the Namibia eVisa for business travelers: non-compliant passport photos (wrong dimensions, coloured background), invitation letters missing company registration number, booking-date mismatches with itinerary, expired passport scans, and applying too late. Pre-submission self-check: verify passport validity (6+ months), photo specs (35x45mm, white background, taken within 3 months), and that all 8 documents are uploaded in JPEG or PDF.
How to Apply – Namibia eVisa Online Application Process from the UK
The Namibia eVisa for business travelers is submitted through the online application portal at eservices.mhaiss.gov.na in six steps. The Namibia business eVisa government fee of 1,600 NAD (~£70) is non-refundable if the application is refused.
Create an account
on the portal using a valid email address.
Select the Business category
when prompted to choose a visa type.
Enter personal details
exactly as they appear on your passport.
Upload documents
in JPEG or PDF (passport scan, photo, invitation letter, return flight ticket, hotel reservation).
Pay 1,600 NAD (~£70)
using a Visa or Mastercard credit or debit card.
Submit
and save your confirmation number to track status on the portal.
Namibia operates at UTC+2, one hour ahead of UK British Summer Time (BST+1). Submit at least 3 weeks before travel.
Namibia eVisa Fees – Business, Transit & Work Categories
The Namibia eVisa for business travelers costs 1,600 NAD (~£70), payable by Visa or Mastercard credit or debit card on the government portal. The Namibia business eVisa fee is non-refundable if the application is refused. Visa fees for all categories are charged in NAD, pegged 1:1 to the South African Rand (ZAR).
| Category | Fee (NAD) | Approx. Fee (GBP) | Payment Method | Refundable? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business eVisa | 1,600 | ~£70 | Visa, Mastercard | No |
| Transit eVisa | 1,600 | ~£70 | Visa, Mastercard | No |
| Work eVisa / Temporary Work Permit | Not published | N/A | Visa, Mastercard | No |
Portal contact: +264 81 951 0128 / +264 81 951 0186.
Namibia eVisa Processing Time, Validity & Duration of Stay
Standard eVisa processing time is 5-10 business days. The Namibia eVisa for business travelers is valid 90 days from issue, single entry, with a 30-day maximum stay. The Namibia business eVisa does not offer multiple entry; leaving and re-entering requires a new application. Apply at least 3 weeks before departure. Extensions may be requested at the Ministry of Home Affairs in Windhoek, with approval subject to Ministry discretion (no guarantee of grant). Overstaying carries fines, detention, and a potential future entry ban.
What to Have Ready at Namibian Border Control
At Namibian border control, present a printed copy of the approved eVisa, the matching passport (valid 6 months, 2 consecutive blank pages), invitation letter, return ticket, and accommodation proof. The Namibia eVisa for business travelers also requires travellers to carry supporting documents for inspection. Travellers may undergo fingerprint biometric scanning on arrival at Hosea Kutako International Airport (WDH). Customs declaration is required for business equipment samples.
For in-person assistance, the Namibia High Commission in London accepts visa submissions from UK nationals and UK residence permit holders.
High Commission of the Republic of Namibia6 Chandos Street, London, W1G 9LU, United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0) 207636 6244
Visa submission: Monday-Thursday, 10:00-12:00
Document collection: Monday-Friday, 15:00-16:00
General hours: Monday-Friday, 10:00-17:00
Last verified: 10 September 2026. All information has been cross-checked against the Namibian Ministry of Home Affairs portal (eservices.mhaiss.gov.na) and UK FCDO travel advice (gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/namibia).
FAQ – Namibia Business eVisa
How do I apply for a Namibia eVisa for business travelers from the UK?
Apply at eservices.mhaiss.gov.na: create account, select Business, enter details, upload documents in JPEG/PDF, pay 1,600 NAD (~£70), and submit. Track status using the confirmation number.
What documents do I need for a Namibia business eVisa in 2026?
Eight documents: passport scan, photo, host invitation letter, UK employer cover letter, return flight, accommodation, travel insurance (min £15,000), and proof of financial means.
How long does the Namibia business eVisa take to process from the UK?
Standard processing takes 5-10 business days. The eVisa is valid 90 days from issue, single entry, 30-day maximum stay. Apply 3 weeks before travel.
How much does the Namibia business eVisa cost in GBP?
The government fee is 1,600 NAD (~£70) for travellers aged 11 and over, payable by Visa or Mastercard. Non-refundable if refused. NAD is pegged 1:1 to ZAR.
Can I use a Namibia business eVisa for tourism or sightseeing?
Incidental sightseeing is allowed, but paid work is prohibited on a business eVisa; a tourist visa cannot be used for business.
Do UK passport holders need a visa to transit through Namibia?
A transit eVisa is required only when leaving the airside area at WDH. Maximum 72 hours; fee 1,600 NAD (~£70). No visa needed if staying airside.
What is the difference between a Namibia business eVisa and a work permit?
Business eVisa covers non-remunerated meetings for 30 days. A Temporary Work Permit requires employer sponsorship, contract, qualifications, and Police Clearance. Paid work on a business eVisa risks deportation.
Where is the Namibian eVisa application portal located?
The Namibian Ministry of Home Affairs eVisa portal is at eservices.mhaiss.gov.na. Contact: +264 81 951 0128 / +264 81 951 0186. UK in-person: Namibia High Commission, 6 Chandos Street, London, W1G 9LU.
How many days can I stay in Namibia on a business eVisa?
The Namibia eVisa for business travelers permits a maximum stay of 30 days per visit, with single entry, valid 90 days from the date of issue.
Can my Namibia eVisa application be refused and what are the common reasons?
Yes. Common refusal reasons include expired passport scans, non-compliant photos, invitation letters missing company registration number, booking-date mismatches, and insufficient proof of financial means. The fee is non-refundable.
