Work Permits and AMCIT travel in Namibia: Continuing

UNCLAS WINDHOEK 000354 SENSITIVE SIPDIS For AF/S, CA, and L/CA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: CVIS PREL WA SUBJECT: Work Permits and AMCIT travel in Namibia: Continuing Difficulties Ref: WINDHOEK 167 -------------- Summary -------------- ¶1. Action Requests - see paras 15 and 16. ¶2. (U) Post has experienced extensive delays in the initial issuance and renewal of work permits for some USG employees and contractors. Also, as reported reftel, Americans traveling for tourism and business have experienced difficulties at ports of entry due to inconsistencies in the interpretation and enforcement of some GRN regulations by immigration officials. Post requests assistance from the Department to help resolve these issues. In response to the Ministry of Home Affairs and Immigration, post also requests that the Department provide technical assistance to help improve the Ministry's work flow and management controls. End Summary. -------------- Work Permit Issuances and Renewals -------------- ¶3. (U) The Ambassador met with the Minister of Home Affairs and Immigration, Rosalia Nghidinwa, on September 4 to seek clarification of GRN immigration policies and resolution of a number of specific cases. The meeting was in follow up to an August 19 call on Permanent Secretary Samuel Goagoseb by the DCM. ¶4. (U) In both meetings, delays in the processing and issuances of work permits was discussed. Two specific cases were highlighted, both regarding Canadian personal services contractors employed by USAID. In addition, the DCM provided the Permanent Secretary with a list of work permit renewal applications from USAID contractors and partner organizations, some of which had been pending for more than a year. ¶5. (U) Both the Minister and her Permanent Secretary separately declared that applications from USG agencies or from organizations working under a Government of Namibia (GRN)-USG bilateral program were supposed to be handled by a "special desk" and given expedited service, ordinarily processed within 10 working days. Despite this, the Minister acknowledged that the system appeared to have broken down and requested the Embassy to document this problem. -------------- Work Visas for TDYers? -------------- ¶6. (U) The Ambassador and DCM expressed concern in their conversations that USG employees and contractors, who are called to Namibia on an ad hoc basis and only for brief temporary assignments, sometimes have been asked to obtain work visas at the port of entry. The Ambassador and DCM noted that this requirement was highly burdensome and could have an adverse impact on programs which the GRN values highly, PEPFAR in particular. In her discussion with Minister Nghidinwa, the Ambassador suggested that perhaps business visas acquired at the port of entry would be sufficient for TDY workers. ¶7. (U) A staff member accompanying the Minister insisted that the law required all foreigners working in Namibia, even if paid from abroad, to have work visas. Nevertheless, the Minister requested a written statement of the issue and the Embassy's proposal. She committed to review the law and consider any accommodation which may be made. -------------- Extended Visa Validity for Peace Corps -------------- ¶8. (U) The DCM informed Goagoseb that Peace Corps Volunteers (PCV) normally spend 27 months (three months training, followed by 24 months of active service) in country, but the Namibian Embassy in Washington only issues 24-month visas. As a result, 60 PCV passports must be submitted for three-month extensions every year. The DCM suggested that the GRN consider issuing 30-month visas instead, in order to relieve the administrative burden on both the Permanent Secretary's own staff and the Peace Corps/Namibia office. The Ambassador reiterated this proposal with Minister Nghidinwa, who was receptive to the idea. -------------- General Issues Related to Amcit Travel -------------- ¶9. (SBU) Both the Ambassador and DCM noted inconsistencies in the application of some GRN regulations by immigration officials at the ports of entry. They pointed out that guidance from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs states that American travelers for business or tourism who are staying less than 90 days do not require visas, yet some travelers who have stated "business" as a purpose of travel have been required to obtain visas upon arrival. They noted, additionally, that immigration officers are inconsistent about the number of blank pages they require for visa stamps as travelers enter the country (as few as one and as many as four),which has likewise caused needless expense and delays for American travelers. ¶10. (U) Regarding the visa requirement, both Nghidinwa and Goagoseb confirmed that Americans who planned to spend less than 90 days in Namibia for tourism or business do not require visas. Concerning the number of blank pages required for stamps, the Permanent Secretary stated that three pages were needed for entry and exit, but that this was "more of an administrative rule" which had not been codified. ¶11. (U) The DCM raised the issue of passport validity, reporting that some American travelers have been delayed at ports of entry because their passports were valid for less than six months. He noted that the U.S requirement of six months of passport validity for foreign visitors is related to the standard length of admission to the United States. Asked for clarity on Namibia's policy on that issue, Goagoseb undertook to consult and get back to us. (NOTE: The standard length of admission to Namibia for temporary visitors is 90 days. Subsequent to our meetings at the Ministry, the Consular section noted that two Americans arriving with passport validity of less than 90 days were admitted with instructions to obtain new travel documents at the Embassy. End note.) -------------- Technical and Financial Assistance Requested -------------- ¶12. (U) The Ambassador followed up on the Minister's previous request for "technical assistance" (reftel) at the Ministry, asking for clarification and more detail on precisely what assistance was needed. The Ambassador also noted that she had heard other diplomatic missions may have provided assistance. She asked that the Minister identify gaps in assistance already provided, so that duplication of effort could be avoided. ¶13. (SBU) The Minister acknowledged that Microsoft Corporation had been contracted to computerize admissions and exits at ports of entry, but these services did not extend to the Ministry's workflow. The Minister candidly acknowledged that their system was "a mess." She suggested that assistance in developing their workflow and management controls, as well as training for Ministry personnel, would be of benefit. The Minister also specifically mentioned the need for security doors in some offices. She did not yet know the cost of purchasing and installing the doors, but requested that the USG consider funding such a security upgrade. -------------- COMMENT -------------- ¶14. (SBU) Both Nghidiwa and Goagoseb listened intently to our points and seemed genuinely committed to resolving the difficulties outlined. Follow-up and implementation has proven to be more difficult, however, due to serious inefficiencies and lack of clear communication within the Ministry. -------------- ACTION REQUESTED -------------- ¶15. (U) Per reftel, Post requests that CA engage the Namibian embassy to express concerns about our ongoing difficulties. We propose the following solutions: 1) that the GRN issue 30-month visas for PCVs; 2) based on reciprocity, that the GRN agree to require a 90-day validity for passports rather than 6 months, which would be consistent with the standard length of admission into Namibia for temporary visitors; and 3) that the USG advise the GRN that endorsement/amendment pages may be used for visa stamps. Post has already requested Overseas Citizen Services (OCS) to consider this last proposal for Namibia as it was recently instituted in S. Africa. We request feedback on the suggested proposals. ¶16. (U) Post also requests that CA identify technical assistance that could be provided to the Ministry of Home Affairs and Immigration by the State Department or Department of Homeland Security. It is in the USG interest to do so, given the substantial impact of the Ministry's difficulties on USG programs in Namibia and on travel by American citizens. HARRINGTON