Cabinet approves visa, permit charges hike

SUBSTANTIAL increases in the cost of visas for work, residence and study purposes in Namibia will come into effect by the end of June.

In most cases the fees for visas and permits will cost more than double the current price and are expected to generate revenue of N$52 million. A visitor’s visa will cost N$390 (currently N$138), a work visa for a year N$1 395 (currently N$599) and a tertiary study permit also N$1 395, up from N$500.The biggest price increase will be for a permanent resident permit, which will cost N$12 173 – representing a more than N$5 000 increase.Home Affairs spokesperson Hengari Kauku said the new fees as approved by Cabinet would first have to be gazetted before coming into effect.He expected this to happen in time for the fee structure to come into effect by the end of June.Cabinet approved the new fees at its meeting on May 9, noting that the Ministry of Home Affairs and Immigration had not revised the fees since 1998.Treasury had already approved these new fees in 2003 but they are yet to be implemented.”After a comparative study on visa and permit fees in SADC member countries, it was found that Namibia charged very low fees, hence the decision to adjust the fees,” says a Cabinet release issued this week.Namibia will also change its rules for visits to Namibia by business people from countries with which Namibia has a visa exemption agreement.Currently business visitors from these countries apply and pay for visas, while Namibia’s business visitors to those countries are exempted from visa requirements.Other permits affected by the increase are: the extension of work permits (N$1 395, up from N$500), a work visa for three months (N$690, up from N$238) and a business visa (N$690, up from N$138).A visitor’s visa will cost N$390 (currently N$138), a work visa for a year N$1 395 (currently N$599) and a tertiary study permit also N$1 395, up from N$500.The biggest price increase will be for a permanent resident permit, which will cost N$12 173 – representing a more than N$5 000 increase.Home Affairs spokesperson Hengari Kauku said the new fees as approved by Cabinet would first have to be gazetted before coming into effect.He expected this to happen in time for the fee structure to come into effect by the end of June.Cabinet approved the new fees at its meeting on May 9, noting that the Ministry of Home Affairs and Immigration had not revised the fees since 1998.Treasury had already approved these new fees in 2003 but they are yet to be implemented.”After a comparative study on visa and permit fees in SADC member countries, it was found that Namibia charged very low fees, hence the decision to adjust the fees,” says a Cabinet release issued this week.Namibia will also change its rules for visits to Namibia by business people from countries with which Namibia has a visa exemption agreement.Currently business visitors from these countries apply and pay for visas, while Namibia’s business visitors to those countries are exempted from visa requirements.Other permits affected by the increase are: the extension of work permits (N$1 395, up from N$500), a work visa for three months (N$690, up from N$238) and a business visa (N$690, up from N$138).