Deep coverage16 verified routes across visit, study, work, investment, family and more.
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Select the passports you hold to see short-stay access and per-route eligibility for Botswana.
5 routes
Visit
Short stays: tourism, transit, business trips, medical, pilgrimage.
Tourist Visa
Botswana Tourist eVisa (Single Entry)
The single-entry tourist visa for nationals of countries that require a visa to enter Botswana for leisure, holidays or short non-work visits. Applications are made online through the official e-visa portal at evisa.gov.bw or in person at immigration offices and Botswana missions abroad. The single-entry tourist visa fee is BWP 300 and the visa permits a stay of up to 90 days; extensions may be requested from the Department of Immigration and Citizenship with valid justification. The official portal states processing of seven to fourteen days; supporting documents for online applications must be combined into a single PDF. The visa does not authorise work or formal study.
Covering letterLetter explaining the reasons for the visit.
Flight itinerary and accommodation bookingConfirmed travel itinerary and proof of accommodation in Botswana.
Trip itinerary / intent to departItinerary and evidence of intent to leave Botswana after the trip.
Re-entry permitOptionalRe-entry permit if required by the applicant's country of residence.
Combined PDF of documentsFor online applications all required documents must be saved as a single PDF.
Tourist Visa
Botswana Tourist eVisa (Multiple Entry)
The multiple-entry tourist visa for visa-required nationals who need to enter Botswana more than once for tourism or short visits, for example travellers combining Botswana with neighbouring SADC countries. Applications are submitted online at evisa.gov.bw or in person at immigration offices and missions abroad. The multiple-entry tourist visa fee is BWP 500 and each stay is limited to the period granted on entry, with overall validity of up to 90 days. The visa is for leisure and short non-work visits only and does not permit employment or formal study; extensions require a request to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship.
Covering letterLetter explaining the reasons for the visit and the need for multiple entries.
Flight itinerary and accommodation bookingConfirmed travel itinerary and proof of accommodation.
Trip itinerary / intent to departItinerary and evidence of intent to leave Botswana after each trip.
Re-entry permitOptionalRe-entry permit if required by the applicant's country of residence.
Tourist Visa
Botswana Visa-Free Tourist Entry
Nationals of many countries do not need a visa to enter Botswana for tourism or short visits and are admitted for a stay of up to 90 days, generally counted cumulatively within a 12-month period. Visa-exempt travellers include citizens of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, EU member states, most Commonwealth countries and SADC member states under the regional free-movement arrangement. The exact entry stamp duration is set by the immigration officer at the port of entry; stays beyond the permitted period require an extension or a residence permit. Botswana publishes the list of nationalities that DO require a visa rather than a definitive visa-free list, so travellers should confirm their status before travel. This entry does not authorise work or formal study.
Max stay
90 days
Document checklist (5)
PassportPassport valid for at least six months beyond the date of entry, with sufficient blank pages.
Proof of onward or return travelConfirmed onward or return flight itinerary showing intent to leave Botswana.
Proof of accommodationHotel booking, lodge reservation or residential address for the stay.
Proof of sufficient fundsOptionalEvidence of adequate funds to support the visit.
Yellow fever vaccination certificateOptionalRequired if arriving from or transiting a country with risk of yellow fever transmission.
Transit Visa
Botswana Transit Visa
The transit visa is for visa-required nationals who need to pass through Botswana on the way to another destination and wish to leave the airport, for a maximum of seven days. Transporters and tour operators with a confirmed onward booking may be granted up to 14 days. Applicants must show a confirmed onward booking or proof to continue their journey, generally within three days of arrival. The visa cannot be extended for any reason and does not allow the holder to work or undertake formal study or training in Botswana. Processing takes seven to fourteen working days; applications are made online at evisa.gov.bw or in person.
Covering letterLetter explaining the purpose of transit.
Flight itinerary and accommodationFlight itinerary and accommodation bookings or residential address.
Confirmed onward bookingConfirmed onward booking or proof to continue the journey, normally within three days of arrival (up to 14 days for transporters).
Cross-border tour operating licenceOptionalFor transporters and tour operators: proof of a cross-border tour operating licence.
Re-entry permitOptionalRe-entry permit if required by the applicant's home country.
Business Visitor Visa
Botswana Employment Visa (Entry Visa for Permit Holders)
The employment visa is the entry visa that allows a visa-required national to enter Botswana to take up work, and it is granted on the basis of an already-approved work and residence permit. To qualify, the applicant must hold a valid work and residence permit; the visa itself does not grant the right to work. Applications are made online at evisa.gov.bw or in person using Form 1 at immigration offices and missions abroad. Supporting documents include a waiver from the Department of Labour and Social Security and an employment contract or confirmation letter where applicable. Processing takes seven to fourteen working days; the official page does not publish a fee.
Work: Work is authorised by the underlying work permit, not the entry visa itself; the visa requires a valid work and residence permit.
Covering letterLetter explaining the purpose of the visit.
Valid work and residence permitProof of a valid work and residence permit, which is required to qualify.
Labour waiverWaiver from the Department of Labour and Social Security.
Employment contract or confirmation letterOptionalEmployment contract or confirmation letter where applicable.
Flight itinerary and accommodationOptionalFlight itinerary and accommodation bookings or residential address.
Not yet researched
Medical Treatment Visa
Pilgrimage Visa
1 route
Study & Training
Universities, language courses, internships and exchanges.
Student Visa
Botswana Study Residence Permit
Non-citizens admitted to study in Botswana apply within the residence-permit framework in the student category, using Form 15 and a Form 3 medical report alongside study-specific documents. Required study documents include a sponsorship letter, an admission letter stating the course and its duration, and a certified school-fees receipt. Processing takes thirty working days. The study residence permit authorises lawful study for the duration of the programme; the official page does not publish a separate student fee, and amounts vary by category. The permit does not authorise general employment.
Study: Authorises enrolment and study at the admitting institution for the programme duration.
Processing time
30 days
Document checklist (7)
Form 15Completed and signed Application for Residence Permit (Form 15).
Form 3 medical reportCompleted Form 3 medical report.
Admission letterAdmission letter from the institution stating the course and its duration.
Sponsorship letterLetter confirming sponsorship or financial support for the studies.
School fees receiptCertified copy of the school-fees receipt.
Passport bio-data pageCertified copy of the data page of a valid passport.
Digital nomad, freelance, skilled employment and company transfers.
Self-Employment Visa
Botswana Self-Employment / Investor Work Permit
Non-citizens who establish and run their own business in Botswana apply for a work permit in the self-employed or investor category, assessed by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship. In addition to the standard work-permit documents, applicants in this category must provide company registration documents, trade licences, lease agreements, bank statements, a list of employees and documentation of business assets. The permit is normally held together with a residence permit. The official page lists processing of fourteen working days and does not publish a fixed fee; investors may later qualify for permanent residence in less than the usual five years.
Work: Authorises operation of the applicant's own approved business in Botswana.
Residency after 5 years
Processing time
14 days
Document checklist (7)
Company registration documentsCertificate of incorporation and company registration documents.
Trade licenceValid trade licence for the business activity.
Lease agreementLease agreement for the business premises.
Bank statementsBusiness and/or personal bank statements demonstrating financial standing.
List of employeesList of employees and asset documentation for the business.
Passport bio-data pageCertified copy of the valid passport biographic data page.
The work permit authorises a non-citizen to be employed in Botswana and is assessed by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship through the Regional Immigrant Selection Board. Employers must show the job was advertised (advert not older than six months) and provide a contract of employment, an offer or appointment letter, and the applicant's qualifications certified and, where needed, evaluated by the Botswana Qualifications Authority. Profession-specific requirements apply to drivers, farm workers, healthcare workers, teachers, accountants, footballers, pilots and engineers, and investors must provide business and financial documentation. A work permit is normally held together with a residence permit. The official page lists processing of fourteen working days and does not publish a fee.
Work: Authorises employment with the sponsoring employer for the occupation approved by the Regional Immigrant Selection Board.
Residency after 5 years
Processing time
14 days
Document checklist (8)
Job advertisementCopy of the job advert, not older than six months, evidencing local recruitment effort.
Contract of employmentSigned contract of employment with the Botswana employer.
Application and offer lettersSigned application letter for work and the employer's letter of offer or appointment letter.
Curriculum vitaeApplicant's curriculum vitae.
Educational certificatesCertified copies of educational certificates with English translations verified by the Botswana Qualifications Authority.
Passport bio-data pageCertified copy of the valid passport biographic data page.
Professional clearance / medical letterOptionalProfessional clearance letters and a medical practitioner's letter where applicable to the role.
Not yet researched
Digital Nomad Visa
Freelancer Visa
Startup / Entrepreneur Visa
Seasonal Work Visa
Intra-Company Transfer Visa
1 route
Invest & Capital
Golden visas, real estate, citizenship by investment, passive income.
Business Investor Visa
Botswana Investment Visa
The investment visa supports non-citizens entering Botswana for business and investment purposes, and is associated with the country's investment-promotion framework supported by the Botswana Investment and Trade Centre (BITC). Applications are made online at evisa.gov.bw or in person at immigration offices and missions abroad. Investors typically establish a registered company and may progress to a self-employed/investor work permit and residence permit, and ultimately to permanent residence. The official page returned no published fee, validity or minimum-investment threshold; figures should be confirmed with the Department of Immigration and Citizenship and BITC. The visa is for business and investment activity and does not by itself authorise paid employment.
Residency: Investors may progress to a residence permit and, eventually, permanent residence in less than the usual five years.
Business plan / investment proposalBusiness plan or investment proposal describing the planned activity in Botswana.
Company registration documentsOptionalCompany registration or incorporation documents where the business is already established.
Proof of fundsBank statements or evidence of capital available for the investment.
Covering letterLetter explaining the purpose of the investment visit.
Not yet researched
Golden Visa (Residence by Investment)
Residence by Real Estate
Citizenship by Investment
Non-Lucrative / Passive Income Visa
No verified routes yet
Retire & Lifestyle
Retirement visas and working holiday schemes.
Not yet researched
Retirement Visa
Working Holiday Visa
3 routes
Family & Origin
Reunification, spouse routes and ancestry-based repatriation.
Family Reunification Visa
Botswana Visitor's Visa (Visiting Family or Friends)
The visitor's visa is for visa-required nationals coming to Botswana to visit friends or relatives, and for returning residents who hold a valid residence permit but have been outside the country for more than six months. Applications are made online at evisa.gov.bw or in person at immigration offices and missions abroad. The visa can be valid for up to two years for dependants of a resident; the host generally appears in person to swear an affidavit supporting the visit. The official page does not publish a fee for this category. Processing takes seven to fourteen working days and the visa does not authorise work or formal study.
Host's sworn affidavitSworn statement or affidavit from the host, with personal appearance of the host for the oath.
Relationship certificatesCopies of marriage or birth certificates for spouse or dependants where applicable.
Host's status documentCertified copy of the host's national identity, residence and work permit or exemption certificate.
Passport bio-data pageCertified copy of the passport showing validity of at least six months.
Return visa or residence permitOptionalReturn visa or residence permit from the applicant's country of residence.
Spouse / Partner Visa
Botswana Residence Permit - Spouse of a Citizen
The spouse of a Botswana citizen applies for a residence permit in the dedicated spouse-of-citizen category, using Form 15 and a Form 3 medical report supported by the citizen spouse. The checklist includes a certified copy of the marriage certificate, a letter of support from the spouse, a covering letter from the applicant, the passport data page, and a passport photograph. Processing takes thirty working days. The permit grants lawful residence based on the marriage; the official page does not publish a fee for this category and amounts should be confirmed with the Department of Immigration and Citizenship.
Study: Lawful residence supports study; institution enrolment rules still apply.
Residency after 5 years
Family: Permit is for the foreign spouse; children apply as dependants on their own documents.
Processing time
30 days
Document checklist (7)
Form 15Completed and signed Application for Residence Permit (Form 15).
Form 3 medical reportCompleted Form 3 medical report.
Marriage certificateCertified copy of the marriage certificate.
Spouse support letterLetter of support from the citizen spouse.
Applicant covering letterCovering letter from the applicant.
Passport bio-data pageCertified copy of the data page of a valid passport.
Dependants of a resident or permit holder - including dependent children aged 18-25 and senior relatives aged 65 and over - apply for a residence permit in the dependant category. The application uses Form 15 and Form 3 and is supported by the resident's valid permit or ID, a supporter letter, and parental consent or guardianship documents where relevant. Persons aged 18 and over must each apply separately. The published fee for dependants aged 18-25 and 65+ is BWP 1,500, and processing takes thirty working days. The permit confers lawful residence but does not by itself authorise employment.
Study: Lawful residence supports study, subject to institution enrolment for students.
Residency after 5 years
Family: Issued per dependant; each person aged 18+ applies separately.
Government fee
BWP 1,500
Processing time
30 days
Document checklist (7)
Form 15Completed and signed Application for Residence Permit (Form 15).
Form 3 medical reportCompleted Form 3 medical report.
Passport bio-data pageCertified copy of the data page of a valid passport.
Birth certificateCertified copy of the dependant's birth certificate.
Supporter's permit/ID and letterCopy of the supporter's valid permit or ID and a supporter letter.
Parental consent / guardianship documentsOptionalParental consent or guardianship documents where applicable.
Not yet researched
Ancestry / Repatriation
4 routes
Special Categories
Talent, religious, humanitarian, media, official and permanent residence.
Talent / Highly Skilled Visa
Botswana Exemption Certificate (in lieu of Permits)
An exemption certificate is issued by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship in lieu of separate work and residence permits, typically for senior executives, specialists, certain investors and other categories the authorities choose to exempt from the standard permit process. The certificate combines the right to reside and to undertake the approved activity, and labour exemption certificates are also available to permanent residents. Holders may use it as the underlying status when applying for entry or visitor visas. The official pages confirm the certificate's existence and that it must be valid for at least six months when relied upon, but do not publish a standard fee, validity period or fixed eligibility threshold, which are determined case by case.
Work: Where granted, the exemption certificate authorises the approved activity in place of a separate work permit.
Residency after 5 years
Document checklist (5)
Application letterCovering letter setting out the grounds for exemption (senior role, specialist skill, investment or other qualifying basis).
Passport bio-data pageCertified copy of the data page of a valid passport.
Supporting credentialsEvidence supporting the exemption, such as appointment/role documentation, qualifications or investment records.
Existing permitsOptionalCopies of any existing work/residence permit or prior exemption certificate where applicable.
Religious Worker Visa
Botswana Missionary / Religious Worker Residence Permit
Missionaries, pastors and other religious workers coming to serve a church or religious organisation in Botswana are processed in the residence/work-permit framework with a dedicated missionary checklist. Supporting documents include certified ordination certificates from religious leaders and an invitation or sponsorship letter from the host religious organisation, in addition to the standard Form 15, Form 3 medical report, certified passport copy and photographs. Processing aligns with residence-permit timeframes of around thirty working days; the official page does not publish a fixed fee for this category. The permit authorises the religious service described in the application.
Work: Authorises the religious or missionary work described in the application with the sponsoring organisation.
Residency after 5 years
Processing time
30 days
Document checklist (6)
Ordination certificateCertified copies of ordination certificates from religious leaders.
Invitation / sponsorship letterInvitation or sponsorship letter from the host church or religious organisation in Botswana.
Form 15Completed and signed Application for Residence Permit (Form 15).
Form 3 medical reportCompleted Form 3 medical report.
Passport bio-data pageCertified copy of the data page of a valid passport.
Any non-citizen who wishes to stay in Botswana beyond the visitation period needs a residence permit, applied for using Form 15 together with a Form 3 medical report. Three main categories are recognised: dependants, immigrants and spouses of citizens, each with its own checklist. Immigrants must show proof of financial support and bank statements; dependants and senior relatives need a supporter's valid permit or ID and a supporter letter. The published fee for dependants aged 18-25 and 65+ is BWP 1,500; other categories vary. Processing takes thirty working days. The residence permit is the standard companion document held alongside a work permit and is required for longer-term stay.
Study: Students apply in the residence-permit framework with admission and sponsorship documents; the permit supports lawful study.
Residency after 5 years
Family: Separate categories exist for spouses of citizens, dependants and immigrants; each applies on their own documents.
Processing time
30 days
Document checklist (7)
Form 15Completed and signed Application for Residence Permit (Form 15).
Form 3 medical reportCompleted Form 3 medical report.
Passport bio-data pageCertified copy of the data page of a valid passport.
Birth certificateCertified copy of birth certificate (and marriage certificate where applicable).
Supporter documentsOptionalFor dependants: supporter's valid permit or ID copy and a supporter letter; parental consent or guardianship documents where applicable.
Proof of financial supportOptionalFor immigrants: proof of financial support and bank statement.
Permanent Residence
Botswana Permanent Residence
Permanent residence allows a non-citizen to settle in Botswana indefinitely. General applicants must have resided lawfully and continuously in Botswana for at least five years, be of good character and standing, have made significant contributions to the country, and have sufficient means to support themselves and their dependants. Investors and business owners may qualify with less than five years of residence. The application uses Form 21 with a covering letter, passport data page and a copy of a work/residence permit or exemption certificate valid for at least six months as proof of length of stay. The fee is BWP 3,000 and the official page states the service takes about six months (around 56 working days).
Work: Permanent residents may live and generally work in Botswana, subject to any labour-exemption certificate requirements.
Study: Permanent residents may study in Botswana.
Residency: This is the permanent residence status itself; it may support a later application for citizenship by registration.
Family: Spouse and dependants are considered with the application and supported as part of the household.
Government fee
BWP 3,000
Processing time
180 days
Document checklist (7)
Form 21Completed and signed permanent residence application (Form 21).
Covering letterCovering letter from the applicant.
Passport bio-data pageCertified copy of the data page of a valid passport.
Proof of length of stayCopy of work/residence permit or exemption certificate valid for not less than six months, plus previous permits/certificates evidencing length of stay.
Marriage/birth certificatesOptionalCertified marriage or birth certificates where applicable.
Proof of means / employment or business recordsEvidence of sufficient means; for employees, employer confirmation and housing; for investors, financial records, share certificates and employee wage sheets.
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