Overview
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 organisations.
- 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 up to 2 years for dependents of resident.
Who is eligible?
All foreigners who require visas to enter Botswana as visitors are eligible for this service.
How do I get this service?
- Go to any immigration office (contact information listed below), Botswana embassy or consulate to fill and submit Form 1 (Application for Visa) in person.
- Submit the required documents (listed below) with the application form.
- Check the outcome of your application from the office where the application was submitted after seven working days.
- An approval/rejection letter is sent to the office where the application was made.
- If the Visa application is approved, it will be printed at that office where the application was made.If the visa is not yet printed, the applicant can travel with the approval letter as proof of a visa to Botswana, and the visa will printed at the Airport/Immigration Ports of Entry.
What supporting documents are required?
The following documents are required to be submitted with the application form:
- Certified copy of page 1 and 2 of passport showing validity period not less than six months.
- Two recent coloured passport size photos.
- Covering letter.
- Flight itinerary and accommodation bookings or residential address in Botswana.
- A re-entry permit to the country where the applicant is ordinarily resident if such a permit is required by that country.
- Sworn statement by the host signed at the immigration’s office.
- A certified copy of the host’s national identity, residence permit, work permit, exemption certificate, or naturalization certificate.
- Letter of Intent to depart Botswana after your trip.
- Financial proof of support.
How long will this service take?
It takes seven to fourteen days after the date of application for the service to be completed.
Where can I obtain this service?
All Regional Immigration Offices, District Immigration Offices and Missions Abroad.
Department of Immigration and Citizenship
Ministry of Nationality, Immigration and Gender Affairs
Tel. (+267) 361 1300
Toll Free: 0800 600 777
Opening hours: 7:30 to 12:45, and 13:45 to 16:30, Monday to Friday, except public holidays.
