Guidelines for Completing a Visa Application

Printer-friendly versionPrinter-friendly version

Countries Whose Citizens Do NOT Require a Visa to Enter Botswana

Citizens of the United States of America do not require a visa to enter Botswana. Here is the full list of countries whose citizens do not require a visa to enter Botswana:

Angola
Antigua & Barbuda
Argentina
Australia
Austria
Bahamas
Bahrain
Barbados
Belgium
Belize
Brazil
Brunei Darussalam
Bulgaria
Canada
Chile
Costa Rica
Croatia
Cuba
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Dominica
Dominican Republic
Estonia
Finland
France
Gambia
Germany
Greece
Grenada
Guyana
Holy Sea
Hong Kong
Hungary
Iceland
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Jamaica
Japan
Kenya
Kiribati
Kuwait
Latvia
Lesotho
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malawi
Malaysia
Maldives
Malta
Mauritius
Mexico
Monaco
Mozambique
Namibia
Nauru
Netherlands
New Zealand
Norway
Oman
Papua New Guinea
Paraguay
Peru
Poland
Portugal
Qatar
Romania
Russia
Samoa
San Marico
Saudi Arabia
Seychelles
Sierra Leone
Singapore
Slovak Republic
Slovenia
Solomon Islands
South Africa
South Korea (Republic of)
South Sudan
Spain
St. Kitts & Nevis
St. Lucia
St. Vincent & the Grenadines
Swaziland
Sweden
Switzerland
Tanzania
Tonga
Trinidad & Tobago
Turkey
Tuvalu
Uganda
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom
United States of America
Uruguay
Vanuatu
Venezuela
Yugoslavia
Zambia
Zimbabwe

Countries Which Require a Visa to Enter Botswana

Afghanistan
Albania
Algeria
Andorra
Armenia
Azerbaijan
Bangladesh
Belarus
Benin
Bhutan
Bolivia
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Burkina Faso
Burundi
Cambodia
Cameroon
Cape Verde
Central African Republic
Chad
China
Colombia
Comoros
DRC- Democratic Republic of Congo
Congo (Republic of)
Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast)
Djibouti
Ecuador
Egypt
El Salvador
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea
Ethiopia
Fiji Island
Gabon
Georgia
Ghana
Guatemala
Guinea
Guinea Bissau
Haiti
Honduras
India
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kyrgyzstan (Kirghizia)
Laos (Lao People's Dem. Rep.)
Lebanon
Liberia
Libya
Macedonia
Madagascar
Mali
Mauritania
Micronesia
Moldova
Mongolia
Montenegro
Morocco
Myanmar (Burma)
Nepal
Nicaragua
Niger
Nigeria
North Korea (Dem. People's Rep. of)
Pakistan
Palau
Panama
Philippines
Rwanda
Sao Tome & Principe
Senegal
Serbia
Somalia
Sri Lanka
Sudan
Sumatra
Suriname
Syria
Taiwan
Tajikistan
Thailand
Togo
Tunisia
Turkmenistan
Ukraine
Uzbekistan
Vatican City
Vietnam
Yemen

Notice on Visas and Permits to Botswana

Applicants are advised to give twenty-one (21) working days to process the application. Any visa granted on this application will be subjected to compliance with the immigration regulations of the Republic of Botswana.

In the case of a lost or damaged visa or permit, the applicant will be required to pay P 1,500, an equivalency of US $ 321, to have their visa or permit reproduced. Please contact the nearest Botswana embassy while abroad and any immigration office if in Botswana.

General Requirements for Visa Application

  1. Apply online at https://evisa.gov.bw
  2. Fully completed visa application form (Form 1)
  3. Certified (notarized) copy of passport page of applicant (showing names, validity & photograph of bearer)
  4. The original passport may be sent at the same time with the application or once the visa is approved
  5. Cover letter from the applicant
  6. If applicant previously applied for a visa, PLEASE ATTACH THE COPY OF THE VISA OUTCOME.
  7. If coming by road, specify on the cover letter and include your contacts, e.g. telephone number.
  8. Travel schedule/flight itinerary/hotel bookings
  9. Include a prepaid/self addressed shipping label or envelope to return your passport
  10. Finger prints will be captured at the point of entry in Botswana. (Applicants will be required to have their finger captured as one of the requirements)
  11. The passport must have the validity of six months and more with three or more unused pages.
  12. 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.
  13. PLEASE READ http://www.botswanatourism.co.bw/tourismlevy
  14. 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
  1. Invitation letter from the host
  2. Sworn statement from the host (personal appearance of the host to the nearest immigration office in Botswana to fill in the affidavit)
  3. A copy of hotel/lodge bookings or state residential address where the applicant will be staying
  4. A certified copy of the host, national identity/residence permit, work permit/exemption certificate/naturalization certificate
  5. Copies of certified marriage and birth certificates (in case of married couples/defendants)
  6. Certified copies of ordination certificates of religious leaders
  7. Business profile if coming to establish a business (host)
  8. Confirmation of employment or business registration
  9. Recent Bank statement (1st page)
  10. Return visa or residence permit from the country of residence
  11. US$30 for single entry for a period up to 3 months
  12. US$50 for multiple entry for a period up to 3 months
  13. US$150 for multiple entry for a period over 3 months up to 2 years for dependents of residents
Business
  1. Invitation letter from the host or facilitator in Botswana
  2. Business profile if coming to establish a business
  3. Certified copies of ordination certificate for religious leaders
  4. Labour clearance/exemption if coming for a month or more
  5. Meeting schedule if coming to attend or organize a meeting
  6. Certified copies of Certificate of Incorporation, Trade License, Share Certificate of host if running a business
  7. Return visa or residence permit from the country of residence
  8. US$50 for single entry for a period up to 3 months
  9. US$100 for multiple entry for a period up to 3 months
  10. US150 for multiple entry for a period up to 6 months to 1 year
Employment
  1. Waiver from department of labour and social security or copies of work and residence permits
  2. Letter of confirmation of employment/contract of employment or offer letter
  3. Copies of RELEVANT qualifications
Investors
  1. Copies of work and residence permits
  2. Certified copies of certificate of incorporation, trade license, share certificate, list of directors, bank statement
  3. US$100 for multiple entry for a period up to 6 months
  4. US$250 for multiple entry for a period up to 5 years
Tourists
  1. Tour plan or copy of travel schedule
  2. Confirmation of bookings at hotels/lodges
  3. Confirmation of employment or business registration
  4. Recent Bank statement (1st page)
  5. Return visa or residence permit from the country of residence
  6. US$30 for single entry for a period up to 1 month
  7. US$50 for multiple entry for a period up to 3 months

Notes

  • Visa fee is non-refundable.
  • Allow at least 21 working days for visa processing.
  • Personal checks are not accepted.
  • All copies must be notarized.
  • 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 travelling 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.

Send completed applications to:

  • Consular Section
    Embassy of the Republic of Botswana
    1531-33 New Hampshire Ave., NW
    Washington, DC 20036

For more information and inquiries:
Tel.: (202) 244-4990
Fax: (202) 244-4164