Staff Reporter
THE Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security has extended the amnesty period for foreign nationals who have overstayed their visas or permits, or who are in the country illegally, allowing them to be processed for departure without facing prosecution.
The amnesty period will run until 27 February 2026.
The Executive Director of the Ministry, Nghidinua Daniel, urged affected individuals to voluntarily report to an immigration office or border post before the end of the amnesty period. He advised that they should carry valid travel or identification documents, such as a passport or national identity card, and cooperate fully with immigration officials to facilitate their departure.
“Where a foreign national who is illegally in Namibia wishes to benefit from the Amnesty offer, but he/she does not have travel documents (a passport), such a person is advised to do the following: Firstly, to report himself/herself to the diplomatic mission (Embassy/High Commission or Consulate) of his/her country of origin and obtain a valid emergency travel document; and To equally report or present himself/herself at our offices (MHAISS/Immigration) nearest to him/her,” Daniel added.
The Executive Director stressed that all costs related to the travel of individuals under this amnesty programme must be borne by the individuals themselves, and not the Namibian government. He clarified that Namibian immigration officials will assist with ensuring the lawful departure of individuals and will provide the necessary administrative documents, including a departure notice.
Daniel also mentioned that a five-day notice would be issued to facilitate exit at the designated port of entry or departure. He added that, in cases where an individual’s home country borders Namibia and their travel documents have expired, officials will still help facilitate departure at the exit point.
“Where transit through another country is required, the departing individual must meet the entry/transit requirements of the transit country and is responsible for securing the necessary travel/transit documentation through the embassy or high commission of his/her country,” he explained.
Daniel urged both Namibians involved with or aware of the illegal status of foreign nationals, as well as the foreign nationals themselves, to take swift and responsible action to make use of this unique opportunity to rectify their immigration status.
The Executive Director of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security, Nghidinua Daniel. Photo: File.
