Botswana
Botswana visa guide: eVisa, business, work and residence
- 9 visa types
- checked 25 October 2026
How visas for Botswana work
Visas and residence in Botswana are handled by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship of the Ministry of Labour and Home Affairs, while work permits are processed through the Department of Labour and Social Security. Most Commonwealth citizens and nationals of countries with visa abolition agreements do not need a visa; the government publishes a list of the countries whose nationals require one.
Since 12 August 2021 visas are applied for online on the eVisa platform (evisa.gov.bw), which replaced applications through embassies; regional and district immigration offices and Botswana missions still accept paper applications with Form 1. Decisions take 7 to 14 working days. The approved visa is emailed and printed by the traveller, or endorsed at the port of entry.
Visa fees depend on the purpose: BWP 300 for a single-entry tourist visa of up to one month, BWP 500 for multiple entry up to three months, and BWP 500 to 1,500 for business visas. Visas for holders of approved work, residence or study permits are free. Longer stays need a residence permit (30 working days), workers and investors need a work permit (14 working days), and after five years of lawful residence permanent residence can be requested for BWP 3,000.
Which visa do I need?
Holiday or safari, if your nationality needs a visa: tourist visa on evisa.gov.bw, BWP 300 single entry up to one month.
Visiting friends or relatives: visitor's visa with the host's sworn statement.
Meetings, conferences or business talks: business visa (BWP 500 to 1,500).
Passing through to another country (not on the same aircraft): transit visa, up to seven days, BWP 300.
Employment or running an investment: work permit, then a residence permit and a free entry visa.
Studying: student residence permit (BWP 1,500) and a free study visa.
Living with a citizen spouse or as a dependant: residence permit.
Five years of lawful residence: permanent residence (BWP 3,000).
Visa types for Botswana
Visits and short stays
- Tourist visa Tourism visa and visitor's visa
Nationals of countries on Botswana's visa-required list need a visa for a holiday.
Maximum stay: Tourism: up to one month single entry, or multiple entries within three months - Transit visa
Travellers from visa-required countries who pass through Botswana to reach another country need a transit visa unless they leave on the same aircraft from the same airport.
Maximum stay: Up to seven days per transit
Business and self-employment
- Business visa
Travellers of visa-required nationalities who go to Botswana for meetings, negotiations or conferences need a business visa, applied for on evisa.gov.bw with an invitation from the Botswana host, a meeting schedule and the host's company documents.
Validity: Up to three months (single or multiple) or up to one year (multiple) - Investor visa Work permit for investors and investor visa
Foreign investors in Botswana obtain a work permit in the investor category, which covers investing in Botswana for profit, and then a residence permit.
Validity: Investor visa: up to six months or up to five years, multiple entry
Study and training
- Student visa Residence permit for students and study visa
Foreign students in Botswana need a residence permit as students, costing BWP 1,500 and decided in 30 working days, and then a study visa, which is free for holders of a study permit or approval letter.
Processing time: 30 working days for the residence permit
Work
- Work visa Work permit
A work permit gives a non-citizen permission to work in Botswana for reward or to invest for profit.
Processing time: 14 working days
Residence
- Residence permit Residence permit (dependants, spouses of citizens, immigrants)
Any non-citizen who wants to stay in Botswana beyond the visitation period needs a residence permit.
Processing time: 30 working days - Permanent residence
Non-citizens who have lived lawfully in Botswana for at least five continuous years, are of good character and standing, have contributed significantly and can support themselves may apply for permanent residence with Form 21.
Maximum stay: Permanent
Online travel permits
- e-Visa Botswana eVisa
Botswana's eVisa platform, launched on 12 August 2021, is the standard way to apply for any Botswana visa from abroad, replacing applications through embassies.
Maximum stay: Depends on visa type
Frequently asked questions
Who needs a visa for Botswana?
Nationals of the countries on the government's visa-required list. Most Commonwealth citizens and nationals of countries with visa abolition agreements are exempt. If you need a visa, apply online at evisa.gov.bw before travel.
How long does a Botswana visa take?
The Department of Immigration states 7 to 14 working days after the application.
How much is a Botswana tourist visa?
BWP 300 for a single entry of up to one month and BWP 500 for multiple entries within three months. Fees are non-refundable.
What passport validity is required?
At least six months, and the Botswana Embassy in Berlin also asks for at least three unused pages.
Can I work in Botswana on a visitor's visa?
No. Visitors may not work, provide services or sell goods; employment requires a work permit.
Embassies and consulates
Last checked 25 October 2026. Each visa page lists the official sources it is based on.