Namibian banks issue Visa and Mastercard cards that work abroad: Standard Bank Namibia says its credit card is accepted wherever the MasterCard or Visa sign is displayed. A card is issued against an account, so a non-resident opens the account first. The banks publicly describe card delivery to a branch only.
Which cards Namibian banks issue
- A Visa debit card with a current account. FNB Namibia's 2026/2027 pricing lists it with every personal account; local purchases are free.
- A currency card with the FNB Global Account in USD, EUR or GBP. The balance stays in that currency, not in Namibia dollars.
- Visa and Mastercard credit cards. The banks do not publish terms for issuing them to non-residents.
How a non-resident gets a card
First you open an account, either in Namibia dollars or in a foreign currency. Steps and documents for the currency account are in foreign currency account in Namibia for non-residents. FNB's foreign currency account (FCA) form has no card option, so agree the card together with the account type.
FNB's pricing guide lists free card delivery to the nearest FNB branch. The banks do not publicly describe sending cards abroad by courier. Whether you can get a card without travelling depends on the bank; we discuss it at the first free consultation.
What paying abroad costs
Personal account fees from the banks' own documents:
- FNB Visa debit (from 1 July 2026): purchase abroad 3.00% of value; cash abroad N$70 + 3.00%; declined transaction abroad N$6;
- FNB credit card: purchase abroad 2.75%; cash abroad N$70 + 3.00%;
- Standard Bank Namibia (2025 tariff): purchase abroad N$5 + 3.00%; international ATM withdrawal N$62.50 + 3.20%;
- Standard Bank Namibia credit card (2026): 2.75% conversion on all transactions outside Namibia.
On a N$10,000 purchase abroad you pay N$300 in fees with an FNB Visa debit card and N$305 with a Standard Bank card. Withdrawing N$2,000 from a foreign ATM costs N$130 at FNB and N$126.50 at Standard Bank.
The Global Account currency card
The FNB Global Account card runs in the account currency. Under the 2026/2027 pricing:
- card purchases and online payments abroad are free;
- an international ATM withdrawal costs $5, €4 or £3;
- a 2.75% conversion fee applies when you use the card in another currency zone, such as a USD card in the euro area;
- a replacement card costs $13, €11.50 or £10.
For spending in dollars or euros this card costs less than a Visa debit card in Namibia dollars. In 2018 FNB described the Global Account as a product for Namibian taxpayers; the bank confirms non-resident eligibility on application.
Does the card work worldwide?
The card works wherever its network, Visa or Mastercard, is accepted. Acceptance in a given country follows the Visa and Mastercard rules for that country. Before a trip, check the Visa or Mastercard rules for that country and agree limits for transactions abroad with the bank.
How we help
Opening personal and corporate accounts is part of our services. We prepare the document set, select the bank and accompany the visit. Terms are discussed at the first free consultation.
Related: personal bank account in Namibia for foreigners and what leaving the FATF grey list means for bank accounts.
This material is provided for reference. Data as of October 2026.
FAQ
Can a non-resident get a Visa card from a Namibian bank?
A card is issued against an account, so you open the account first. FNB Namibia issues a Visa debit card with its personal accounts; the bank confirms the terms for non-residents together with the account type.
What does a purchase abroad cost with a Namibian card?
At FNB Namibia from 1 July 2026: 3.00% on a Visa debit card and 2.75% on a credit card. Standard Bank Namibia's 2025 tariff: N$5 plus 3.00% of the value.
Will the bank post the card to me abroad?
The banks publicly describe delivery to a branch, which is free at FNB. Courier delivery abroad has to be agreed with the bank separately.
