Namibians may face new US visa process

Namibians may soon need to travel to South Africa to apply for a visa to the United States (US). The US state department will be cutting down the number of consulates and embassies on the African continent, including the one in Namibia, that are allowed to issue visas, according to a report by the Associated Press (AP) on Monday. The Ministry of International Relations and Trade has confirmed to The Namibian that it is aware of the report.

“The ministry is aware of reports regarding changes to the US’ consular operations in a number of African countries, including Namibia,” executive director Ndiitah Nghipondoka-Robiati says. “We have consulted with the US embassy and are awaiting official communication on the matter through diplomatic channels.” AP received a list of 20 hubs that will still be able to process visas – the closest to Namibia are the two South African consulates in Cape Town and Johannesburg, and the consulate in Luanda, Angola.