Botswana - Apply for Visa

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Procedure

Apply In-Person

1. To obtain a Botswana visa, an applicant should visit the Ministry of Nationality, Immigration and Gender Affairs, Department of Immigration and Citizenship, Headquarter or the nearest Regional/District Immigration Offices or the Botswana mission abroad, to apply. (Contact information listed below).
2. Collect the Visa Application Form (Form 1), forms are available for free at the Enquiries Desk at any of the immigration offices and Botswana mission abroad or download it via the Botswana embassy in the country you are, if available or download it directly via using this link;Link
3. Submit the completed form, attach it to the relevant supporting document {as listed below under required document section} to be verified by the visa section officer at the immigration office or Botswana mission abroad.
4. The officer will then verify, if all the necessary information and documents have been provided and that the applications comply with the selection criteria, if everything is in the order you will be required to pay the application fee at the cash counter.
5. It is only after the deposit of the complete file and the payment of the required fee, that the application file will be registered and recorded and applicants will be issued with an acknowledgment letter containing details of their application.
6. The completed application file is then submitted to an authorized officer (via designated channels) where the application is reviewed and a recommendation made which is within 7 working days in Botswana and 3 weeks at the mission abroad
7. The visa will be printed out and affix on the client's passport against the acknowledgment at the immigration/mission office where the application was filed.
8. In the case of abroad application, where the visa is approved and the visa is not printed the client can travel to Botswana using the approval letter and the Visa will be printed at the Airport/Immigration Ports of Entry, upon submitting the approval letter and passport to be validated and have his/her Fingerprints captured by the Airport/Immigration staff.

Please Note:
For abroad application, clients who want the visa approval/rejection letter sent to them by post are advised to attach one of the following to their request(s):

• A registered self-addressed envelope with the appropriate stamps (letter recommendée);
• A pre-paid envelope from any recognized courier service provider.
• Please note; Not all embassies offer the post/mail return service (please consult with the embassy)

NOTE: You can file your application via mail, in some embassies, please confirm with your embassy, and if they offer this service since not all embassies offer the service.

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Required Documents

General Requirements for Visa Application

• Fully completed visa application form (Form 1)
• Certified (notarized) copy of passport page of the applicant (showing names, validity & photograph of bearer)
• Cover letter from the applicant
• If the applicant previously applied for a visa, PLEASE ATTACH THE COPY OF THE VISA OUTCOME.
• If coming by road, specify on the cover letter and include your contacts, e.g. telephone number.
• Travel schedule/flight itinerary/hotel bookings
• Include a prepaid/self-addressed shipping label or envelope to return your passport
• The passport must have the validity of six months and more with three or more unused pages.
• Applicants who would not be collecting their visa (endorsed in the passport) should write a letter authorizing someone to collect their visa and passport. The letter should include full names, ID or passport numbers, and contact numbers.

NEW REQUIREMENTS FOR MINORS TRAVELLING THROUGH ALL BOTSWANA POINTS OF ENTRY

• Minors travelling through the country's borders will be required to produce certified copies of unabridged birth certificates
• In the event that one parent is not travelling with the child, the other parent's affidavit consenting to such travel should be availed. Temporary guardianship must be given if both parents are not travelling with the minor, as well as the abovementioned requirements. However, an affidavit will not be required if the father's name does not appear on the child's birth certificate.

Additional Requirements
Visitors Visa

• Invitation letter from the host
• Sworn statement from the host (personal appearance of the host to the nearest immigration office in Botswana to fill in the affidavit)
• A copy of hotel/lodge bookings or state residential address where the applicant will be staying
• A certified copy of the host, national identity/residence permit, work permit/exemption certificate/naturalization certificate
• Copies of certified marriage and birth certificates (in case of married couples/defendants)
• Certified copies of ordination certificates of religious leaders
• Business profile if coming to establish a business (host)
• Confirmation of employment or business registration
• Recent Bank statement (1st page)
• Return visa or residence permit from the country of residence
• US$30 for single entry for a period up to 3 months
• US$50 for multiple entry for a period up to 3 months
• US$150 for multiple entry for a period over 3 months up to 2 years for dependents of residents

Business Visa

• Invitation letter from the host or facilitator in Botswana
• Business profile if coming to establish a business
• Certified copies of ordination certificate for religious leaders
• Labour clearance/exemption if coming for a month or more
• Meeting schedule if coming to attend or organize a meeting
• Certified copies of Certificate of Incorporation, Trade License, Share Certificate of host if running a business
• Return visa or residence permit from the country of residence
• US$50 for a single entry for a period of up to 3 months
• US$100 for multiple entries for a period of up to 3 months
• US150 for multiple entries for a period up to 6 months to 1 year

Employment Visa

• Waiver from the department of labour and social security or copies of work and residence permits
• Letter of confirmation of employment/contract of employment or offer letter
• Copies of RELEVANT qualifications

Investors Visa

• Copies of work and residence permits
• Certified copies of certificate of incorporation, trade license, share certificate, list of directors, bank statement
• US$100 for multiple entries for a period of up to 6 months
• US$250 for multiple entries for a period of up to 5 years

Tourists Visa

• Tour plan or copy of travel schedule
• Confirmation of bookings at hotels/lodges
• Confirmation of employment or business registration
• Recent Bank statement (1st page)
• Return visa or residence permit from the country of residence
• US$30 for a single entry for a period of up to 1 month
• US$50 for multiple entries for a period of up to 3 months

Please note: The immigration/embassy office reserves the right to request for additional document/s as applicable

Office Locations & Contacts

Ministry of Nationality, Immigration and Gender Affairs
Address: Block 8, Government Enclave, Khama Crescent
Private Bag 002
Gaborone
Botswana
Tel: (+267)3611115 / 3611234 / 3611132
Fax: (+267) 3907426
Email: [email protected]
Toll-Free. 0800 600 777

Ministry contact details:Link

Department of Immigration and Citizenship
Ministry of Nationality, Immigration and Gender Affairs
Departmental HQ
Address: Government Enclave, Block 8, Khama Crescent
P. O. Box 942
Gaborone
Botswana
Tel. (+267) 361 1373/ (+267) 361 1375
Toll-Free. 0800 600 777

Regional Immigration Offices

• South Central Region (Block 8 Universal House) (+267) 3909996
  
• South East Region (Loapi House) (+267) 3952591
  
• Lobatse Immigration Region (+267) 5330247
  
• Francistown Immigration Region (+267) 2414204
  
• Serowe Immigration Region (+267) 4632519
  
• Selibe-Phikwe Immigration Region (+267) 2611677
  
• Tsabong Immigration Region (+267) 6540225
  
• Maun Immigration Region (+267) 6860369
  
• Kasane Immigration Region (+267) 6250252
  

District Immigration Offices

• Mochudi District Immigration Office (+267) 5777285
  
• Molepolole District Immigration Office (+267) 5920339
  
• Ramotswa District Immigration Office(+267) 5391527
  
• Tutume District Immigration Officer (+267) 2987459
  
• Masunga District Immigration Office (+267) 2489272
  
• Sowa Pan District Immigration Office (+267) 6213435
  
• Palapye District Immigration Office (+267) 4920377
  
• Mahalapye District Immigration Office (+267) 4710484
  
• Orapa District Immigration Office (+267) 2970211
  
• Letlhakane District Immigration Office (+267) 2978308
  
• Sefhare District Immigration Office (+267) 4948096
  
• Kanye District Immigration Office (+267) 5440656
  
• Jwaneng District Immigration Office (+267) 5880348
  
• Gantsi District Immigration Office (+267) 6596233
  
• Hukuntsi District Immigration Office (+267) 6510202
  
• Bobonong District Immigration Office (+267) 2619249
  
• Gumane District Immigration Office (+267) 6874674
  

Opening hours: 7:30 to 12:45, and 13:45 to 16:30, Monday to Friday, except no public holidays.

For abroad applications, please contact your nearest Botswana Embassy or High Commission to help you.'

All Botswana Mission Abroad contact link: Link

Eligibility

• Foreigners whose countries have not signed a Visa Abolition Agreement with Botswana or are not Citizens of Commonwealth countries are eligible to apply for a Botswana visa.

Fees

The cost associated with this service is as follows:

• Single entry- for a period up to 3 months BWP500.00(US $50)
• Multiple entries- for a period up to 3 months BWP 1, 000.00(US$100)
• Multiple entries – for a period of up to six months BWP 2,500.00(US$250)

Validity

The validity of the visa is a follows;

• Single entry- for a period up to 3 months
• Multiple entries- for a period up to 3 months
• Multiple entries – for a period of up to six months
• Business visa is valid for one year and renewable/ extendable on justification
• Employment visa is valid for six and renewable/ extendable on justification
• Tourist visa is valid for up to one (1) month and is renewable/extendable on justification
• Investment visa is valid for up to five (5) years and is renewable/extendable on justification
• Study visa is valid for up to 3 months and is renewable/extendable on justification
• Transit visa is valid for up to 7 days and can note be extendable for no justification
• Visitors visa is valid up to 2 years for dependents of resident and is renewable/extendable on justification
• Service/Diplomatic visa, the validity depends on the ministry of International Affairs and Cooperation discretion.

Documents to Use

Link {Application form}

Sample Documents

Please attach sample completed documents that would help other people.

Processing Time

• The time around for processing the application is within 7 working days in Botswana and 3 weeks at the mission abroad

Related Videos

Videos explaining the procedure or to fill the applications.
Attach videos using the following tag <&video type='website'>video ID|width|height<&/video&> from external websites.
Please remove the '&' inside the tags during implementation.
Website = allocine, blip, dailymotion, facebook, gametrailers, googlevideo, html5, metacafe, myspace, revver,
sevenload, viddler, vimeo, youku, youtube
width = 560, height = 340, Video ID = Can be obtained from the URL of webpage where the video is displayed.
e.g In the following url 'http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0US7oR_t3M' Video ID is 'Y0US7oR_t3M'.

Instructions

Important Notes;

• The Visa fee is non-refundable.
• For abroad application applicant are advice to submit their application file at least 21 working days for visa processing.
• Personal checks are not accepted.
• All copies must be notarized.
• The original passport may be sent at the same time as the application or once the visa is approved
• All supporting documents must be in English. Translations must be notarized by a relevant authority.
• No visa fee charged for Diplomatic Passport and the United Nations Laissez-Passer holder traveling on official business
• International Health certificate of vaccination for Yellow fever is required from travelers from or through the countries which have been declared Yellow Fever Infected Areas.
• Malaria shots are advised before arriving to Botswana.
• A foreigner who has permits but decides to stay outside the country for more than six months is required to apply for a visa when they come back to Botswana.

Required Information

• Full name of the applicant
• Contact details (abroad/in Botswana)
• Residential details (abroad/in Botswana)
• Birth certificate details
• Nationality
• Type of visa required
• Number of entries
• Occupation /qualification
• Reasons for the visa request
• State the Validity period of the visa you wish to request for?
• Preferred mode of communication of the visa application outcome
• Declaration by the applicant

Need for the Document

• Foreigners whose countries have not signed a Visa Abolition Agreement with Botswana or are not Citizens of Commonwealth countries are required to obtain a visa to be allowed entry into Botswana
• The visa is issued to a foreigner who wishes to travel to Botswana for the following purposes i.e. for study, business investment, employment, tourist, visitors, transit

Information which might help

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT DIFFERENT TYPES OF VISA

BUSINESS VISA
The business visa is issued for prospective investors, entrepreneurs, or traders to visit and explore business opportunities in Botswana. Business activities may include consulting with business associates; attending scientific, educational, professional, or business conventions or conferences; settling estates; and negotiating contracts. It shall be issued for up to one year and cannot be extended.

EMPLOYMENT VISA
The employment visa is issued to individuals who wish to travel to Botswana for purposes of employment, internship, research, work, or voluntary services. This visa is issued with a validity period of six months and is extendable with justification.

INVESTMENT VISA
This visa is issued to business people who regularly visit Botswana as directors of companies based in the country. It is also issued to individuals who have investment projects in Botswana. The visa authorizes the holder to enter Botswana for investment purposes for a period of up to five (5) years.

STUDY VISA
A study visa is issued to students who have been accepted by educational institutions in Botswana. The visa is issued for up to three months and is extendable with justification

TOURIST VISA
This visa is issued to people who intend to visit Botswana for recreational purposes, or for other short-term non-work-related purposes. This visa allows entry into Botswana for up to one (1) month and is extendable on justification. The applicant must not engage in any employment while on a tourism visa, or else the visa will be rendered invalid.

TRANSIT VISA
This visa is for those who want to leave the airport for a maximum of seven days while in transit. A transit visa is not required if you fly out on the same aircraft and from the same airport at which you arrived. Transporters and tour operators may be allowed a maximum of 7 days' stay in the country at any given time. This visa does not allow you to work or undertake formal studies or training in Botswana. It cannot be extended for any reason.

SERVICE/DIPLOMATIC VISA
The Department of Protocol and Consular Services in the Ministry of International Affairs and Cooperation provides assistance to Public Officers travelling abroad on official duties.

VISITORS VISA
The visitor’s visa is issued to people visiting Botswana for social reasons such as:

• Visiting friends or relatives.
• Obtaining medical treatment.
• Participation in social events hosted by fraternal, social, or service organizations.
• Participation by amateurs in musical, sports, or similar events or contests, if not being paid for participating.
• Enrolment in a short recreational course of study, not for credit toward a degree (for example, a two-day cooking class while on vacation).
• For the visa to remain valid, the applicant must not work for, provide services or sell goods to businesses or the public in Botswana. The visa is valid for up to 2 years for dependents of a resident.

Please refer to the wikiprocedure website for the full procedure details for the different visa types awarded in Botswana.

Other uses of the Document/Certificate

Please explain what are other uses of obtaining this document/certificate.
e.g. Birth Certificate can be used as proof of identity.

External Links

• Visa Application procedures: Link
  

Others

• List of Countries Whose Citizens DO NOT REQUIRE/REQUIRE a Visa to Enter Botswana Link;Link