Visa policy of Botswana

Visitors to Botswana must obtain an e-Visa unless they are citizens from one of the visa-exempt countries.

All visitors (except Namibia) must hold a passport valid for at least 6 months from the date of arrival.

Visa policy map

External image
image icon Botswana international border crossing points
Visa policy of Botswana
  Botswana
  Visa not required
  eVisa

Visa exemption

Ordinary passports

Citizens of the following countries and territories may enter Botswana without a visa for up to 90 days within a 365-day period (unless otherwise stated):[1][2][3][4]

ID - May enter with an ID card in lieu of a passport.
1 - 30 days, but no more than 90 days within any 365-day period.

Botswana and Namibia signed an agreement in February 2023 allowing citizens to travel between the two countries using only identity cards, with passports no longer needed.[5] Botswana has held talks with Zimbabwe to achieve a similar deal, and expects to open talks with Zambia.[6]

Non-ordinary passports

In addition to countries who are already visa-exempt, holders of diplomatic, official or service passports of China and diplomatic passports only of India do not require a visa to enter Botswana for up to 30 days.

Electronic visa (e-Visa)

On 12 August 2021, Botswana launched an electronic visa system, all countries that needed prior visa, are now eligible for e-Visa.[7][8][9][10]

Ministry of foreign affairs of Botswana stated that they introduced an e-Visa system to boost tourism and business in country.[8]

Visitor statistics

Most visitors arriving in Botswana were from the following countries of nationality:[11]

Country 2016 2015 2014 2013
Zimbabwe874,169967,322784,720825,717
South Africa759,564808,118600,387742,639
Zambia220,649202,289188,351331,799
Namibia187,044170,326162,453169,733
United States52,17149,45149,961139,752
United Kingdom42,53441,01139,67547,929
Germany35,28832,23034,57643,674
India19,29717,41318,34213,543
Lesotho18,77318,84212,40810,839
Malawi17,10220,60715,17517,386
Total2,401,7862,501,6162,082,5212,598,158

See also

Wikivoyage logo
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Botswana.

References

  1. ↑ List of countries that require visa to enter Botswana
  2. ↑ "Visa and passport". Timatic. International Air Transport Association through Emirates. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
  3. ↑ "Guidelines for Completing a Visa Application | Embassy of the Republic of Botswana in Washington, D.C." www.botswanaembassy.org. Retrieved 2016-10-27.
  4. ↑ IMMIGRATION VISA REGULATIONS
  5. ↑ Silence Mugadzaweta (20 February 2023). "Botswana, Namibia to abolish passports: Citizens of the two countries will now use identity cards". NewsDay Zimbabwe. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
  6. ↑ Mqondisi Dube (13 March 2023). "Botswana, Zimbabwe to Discuss Eliminating Use of Passports". VOA. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
  7. ↑ "Botswana-evisa".
  8. 1 2 "Travelnews.africa - Botswana rolls out e-visa regime to boost tourism and investments". 19 August 2021.
  9. ↑ @OfficialMasisi (10 November 2021). "Investors can now be granted permanent residence status by the Minister even before they have reached the minimum f…" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  10. ↑ "Guidelines for Completing a Visa Application | Embassy of the Republic of Botswana in Washington, D.C."
  11. ↑ "Statistical Publications".
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