Staff Reporter
THE Minister of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security, Lucia Iipumbu, has declared an amnesty that provides a limited opportunity to all foreign nationals who have overstayed their immigration permits or visas and/or who have entered and are in the country illegally.
Such foreign nationals are urged to present themselves to the immigration authorities so that they can be processed out of the country without any prosecution.
The amnesty runs from 15 December to 16 January.
Minister Iipumbu is urging both illegal immigrants and Namibian citizens who have anything to do with them to act promptly and responsibly and to utilise this once-off opportunity to resolve non-compliance.
The Ministry issued a statement expressing “great concern” about the violation of the Immigration Control Act by foreign nationals who either did not enter the country through designated entry points or have overstayed in the country, thereby making themselves liable for arrest and prosecution.
“It has equally been noted,” said the Ministry, “that the identified violation of our Immigration Act has taken place in some cases with the involvement of Namibians.”
The amnesty applies to foreign nationals who, prior to the amnesty period, have overstayed their immigration permits or visas and/or have been residing and/or working in Namibia without an appropriate visa or permit.
Eligible persons are strongly urged to:
– present themselves voluntarily at the nearest immigration office or at a border post during the amnesty period;
– be in possession of valid travel or identification documents (a passport or a national identity card); and
– render their full cooperation to immigration officials to whom they present themselves for facilitation of their departure from the country.
Where a foreign national who is illegally in Namibia wishes to benefit from the amnesty offer but does not have travel documents (a passport), such a person is advised to report himself or herself to the diplomatic mission or consulate of his or her country of origin to obtain a valid emergency travel document, and to equally report or present himself or herself at the nearest immigration office.
According to the Ministry, amnestied foreign nationals will cover all costs and expenses related to travel back to their countries of origin.
Namibian immigration officials will only facilitate lawful exit from the country and issue the exiting person with the required administrative documentation, including a departure notice.
A five-day notice will be issued to facilitate exit at the port of departure or entry, as applicable.
In general, the Ministry urges the Namibian public, employers, community leaders and civil society to assist the government in ensuring lawful migration and compliance, and to encourage and assist any foreign nationals known to them to take advantage of the amnesty.
The Ministry further urges the public to rely only on official communications from designated offices or persons in order to avoid misinformation.
Photo: File
