Namibia
Regulations on entry, stay, residence, and treatment access for people living with HIV
The categories of restriction are:
- No restrictions on entry or staying.
Restrictions on entry to Namibia
We did not find any available information on access to healthcare for people living with HIV in Namibia.
According to UNAIDS and the US Department of State, Namibia does not have any HIV-related restrictions on entry.
However, the Government of Canada points out that travellers are required to carry evidence of a yellow fever vaccination.
Restrictions on short-term stay in Namibia
We found no evidence of any official restrictions on short-term stay in Namibia based on HIV status.
According to UNAIDS and the US Department of State, Namibia does not have any HIV-related restrictions on short-term stay.
Restrictions on long-term stay in Namibia
We found no evidence of any official restrictions on long-term stay in Namibia based on HIV status.
According to UNAIDS and the US Department of State, Namibia does not have any HIV-related restrictions on long-term stay.
Historic regulations in Namibia
On 7 July 2010, Namibian Minister of Home Affairs and Immigration Rosalia Nghidinwa, formally announced the removal of all HIV-related migration barriers for people living with HIV from its Immigration Control Regulation.
The Minister closed her announcement saying:
- A public and press release on the amendments will be issued;
- The website of the Ministry of Home Affairs and Immigration will delete item 10 from annexure 1, the Namibia visa application form, of the Immigration Control Act of 1993;
- This amendment will be communicated to all the Immigration Offices, points of entries, Border posts, Airports and the Namibia Missions abroad to educate and inform prospective visitors to Namibia on the changes made with regard to the Visa Application Conditions.
Under the old regulation, applicants for temporary or long term residence had to submit a medical certificate stating that the applicant was:
(a) not mentally disordered or physically defective in any way;
(b) not suffering from leprosy, venereal disease, trachoma, tuberculosis or other infectious or contagious diseases;
(c) generally in a good state of health.
Treatment access in Namibia
The following summarises available information on access to healthcare for people living with HIV in Namibia. There is some evidence that non-nationals are restricted from accessing treatment in the same way as nationals.
According to the Hospitals and Health Facilities Act (1994), only citizens or permanent residents can access government-funded healthcare in Namibia. Other individuals ‘shall not be classified as a state patient except with the approval of the Permanent Secretary’. Under the act, ‘State patients’ receive free or subsidised treatment in government-funded hospitals and as well as emergency healthcare services. Proof of identity is required to be classified as a State patient. However, in cases where non-State patients are unable to pay for emergency medical treatment, the Ministry of Health and Social Services may cover the costs on a caseby-case basis.
The HIV Justice Network's Global HIV Criminalisation Database
Visit the Namibia page on the Global HIV Criminalisation Database to see more information about known HIV criminalisation laws in this country, an overview of how the laws are used, and any significant advocacy developments.
UNAIDS Global AIDS monitoring data
This information about access to HIV services comes from UNAIDS https://lawsandpolicies.unaids.org/, a platform to view data on HIV-related laws and policies. This is information provided by national authorities and civil society and may contradict other sources.
Migrant populations
| Laws/policies enable documented migrants to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens | Yes |
| Laws/policies enable documented migrants to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens implemented (countries with such laws/policies) | Yes |
| Laws/policies enable undocumented migrants to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens | Yes |
| Laws/policies enable undocumented migrants to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens implemented (countries with such laws/policies) | Yes |
| Migrants are able to access HIV services | Yes |
Refugees and asylum seekers
| Laws/policies enable asylum seekers to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens | Yes |
| Laws/policies enable asylum seekers to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens implemented (countries with such laws/policies) | Yes |
| Laws/policies enable refugees to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens | Yes |
| Laws/policies enable refugees to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens implemented (countries with such laws/policies) | N/A |
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This site focuses on information about HIV travel. Please also consult your own Foreign Office/Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, or the local consulate of the country you are visiting, to see what restrictions there are specifically for you as a citizen of your country, regardless of your HIV status.
