Namibia to Deport 500 Undocumented U.S. Nationals in Push for Visa Reciprocity

(The Post News)- Namibia is moving to deport more than 500 American nationals who’ve been found living in the country without valid visas. The new immigration policy, announced this week by President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, is part of a broader effort to enforce what she calls “reciprocal dignity” in global travel.

“If Africans need visas to enter the U.S., then Americans must also need visas to enter Namibia,” Nandi-Ndaitwah said during a national address on Tuesday. “This is not an attack. It’s about fairness.” The government’s decision marks a sharp departure from the previous visa-free arrangement for U.S. passport holders, and officials say enforcement has already begun.

Namibia’s Ministry of Home Affairs confirmed that immigration authorities have started issuing deportation notices to American nationals who overstayed or bypassed the required visa process altogether. In a statement, the ministry said, “The deportation process will be carried out lawfully, with respect for the rights of all individuals involved.” Collaborations with local law enforcement are underway to ensure removals happen in an orderly and transparent manner.

The policy shift isn’t just about tightening rules, it’s also about opening doors. Alongside the crackdown, Namibia is rolling out visa-free access for all African nationals. The president described the move as part of a long-term vision to strengthen intra-African ties, boost trade, and ease the movement of people across the continent. “Africans should not be treated as foreigners on African soil,” she said.

The response so far has been mixed. The U.S. State Department hasn’t issued an official statement on the deportation orders but did update travel advisories for Namibia on its website earlier this week. In Southern Africa, reactions have been largely supportive. Prominent Zimbabwean legal scholar Alex Magaisa called Namibia’s approach “a strategic correction,” writing on social media that “the era of lopsided diplomacy must end.” Not everyone is applauding. Some U.S.-based tourism operators and investors have raised concerns about the potential knock-on effects of stricter entry requirements. There are also questions about how the new policy might impact Namibia’s long-term economic ties with Washington.

Still, Namibian officials appear unfazed. Foreign Affairs spokesperson Penda Nakale told The Namibian newspaper on Wednesday that the country is “asserting its sovereignty” and that “no nation should be immune to rules others are forced to follow.” Namibia’s visa reforms come at a time when several African governments are openly questioning the restrictive travel policies many of their citizens face abroad, especially when trying to enter countries in Europe and North America. Whether this signals the beginning of a broader policy shift across the continent remains to be seen. For now, Americans looking to visit Namibia will need to apply for a visa in advance. And those already in the country without the proper paperwork may soon find themselves on a plane home.