Botswana visas
Whether you need a visa for Botswana depends on your nationality and the purpose of your trip: nationals of many countries may enter visa-free for short tourist or business visits, while others must obtain a visa before arrival, and longer stays for work, study, family or settlement require the appropriate permit. Immigration is administered by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship, which also operates the national electronic visa portal at evisa.gov.bw. This hub summarises the main routes and links to official government pages; always confirm current rules, fees and eligibility with the Department before you travel.
Botswanan visa categories
Explore visa categories by the purpose of your trip.
- Visitor & short-stay visasShort stays in Botswana โ tourism, visiting family or friends, business visits and transit, plus any visa-free or e-visa options.3 visas
- Work visasComing to Botswana to work โ the employment and skilled-worker routes and the permits they require.2 visas
- Study visasStudying in Botswana โ student visas and permits for accepted students.1 visa
- Family visasJoining or sponsoring a partner, child or other relative in Botswana.1 visa
- Business & investor visasInvesting, doing business or coming to Botswana as a highly skilled individual.2 visas
- Residence & citizenshipLiving in Botswana long term โ residence routes and, where available, the path to citizenship.3 visas
Botswanan visa application at a glance
From start to finish in five simple steps.
- 01Choose the right visa
- 02Check eligibility & documents
- 03Apply online
- 04Provide biometrics
- 05Wait for a decision
Botswana โ key facts
- Visa authority
- Department of Immigration and Citizenship
- Application
- Online (in most cases)
- Biometrics
- Usually required
- Currency
- Botswana Pula (BWP)
- Time zone
- Central Africa Time (CAT, UTC+2)
Official sources
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always refer to the official government sources.
Verified against official sources ยท last reviewed 2026-08-21. Information only โ not legal advice.
