Use of national IDs as cross-border documents extended to three more border posts
The usage of national identity (ID) cards as documents for cross-border travel between Namibia and Botswana has been extended to Ngoma, Impalila Island, and Mohembo Border Posts with immediate effect.
The memorandum of agreement and the launch signed between Namibia and Botswana on 24 February only included the Trans-Kalahari / Mamuno Border Post.
“To use the ID card as a travel document to Botswana, Namibians are advised to apply for the new look ID, launched by the Ministry in October 2021,” the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security, Executive Director, Etienne Maritz said in a statement.
According to Maritz, the new look ID features a quick response code and a machine-readable zone which have replaced the fingerprint and the barcode of the previous ID cards.
The new format complies with international best practices recommended by the International Civil Aviation Organization, he added.
“The use of ID Cards as travel documents will make border crossing easier, especially for border residents. For now, the national IDs can only be used as a travel document to visit Botswana,” he concluded.
