Botswana investor visa and permit

Botswana does not have a separate investor residence scheme; the work permit itself gives a non-citizen permission to invest in Botswana for profit, and investors apply under its investor category. No minimum investment is stated on the government service page; the application must prove the investment and the operating business.

The investment visa itself is issued to business people who regularly visit Botswana as directors of companies based there and to people with investment projects in the country, and it authorises entry for investment purposes for up to five years. Its supporting documents are the passport copy, two photos, a covering letter, flight and accommodation details or a residential address, a re-entry permit where needed, the certificate of incorporation, share certificate, trading licence, a schedule of meetings or activities and business and personal bank statements.

Proof of investment by bank statement, a lease agreement or proof of the place of operation, company registration documents, a list of employees with their national ID cards or permits, a list of valued assets with certified vehicle registration books, a certified valid trade licence, a company profile, a current bank statement certified by the bank, a certified passport bio page and two photos.

For the investor visa, the Botswana Embassy in Berlin asks for copies of the work and residence permits, the certificate of incorporation, trade licence, share certificate and list of directors.

The investor visa costs BWP 1,000 for multiple entries up to six months and BWP 2,500 for multiple entries up to five years. Visa fees are non-refundable.

The Botswana Investment and Trade Centre runs the Botswana One Stop Service Centre (BOSSC), which brings government agencies under one structure. Its listed services include company and business registration, trade licences, entry visas, work and residence permits, work permit exemptions, utility connections, tax and VAT registration, access to land and BITC factory space. Only accredited clients use it: investors vetted or supported by BITC, the Botswana Development Corporation, the Special Economic Zones Authority or SPEDU.

BITC assesses projects on job creation, skills and technology transfer, use of local raw materials, export growth and import substitution, linkages with other businesses, innovation and alignment with a priority sector of the Economic Diversification Drive.

Renewal requires the same documents plus copies of both permits, submitted six months before expiry. Investors may apply for permanent residence even if they have stayed less than five years, providing share valuations, financial statements, wage records and BURS tax returns with the BWP 3,000 fee.