A narrow emergency facility for a non-citizen carrying out an immediate engagement for no more than seven days.
Botswana
Botswana sits in Southern Africa. Its immigration system runs 19 distinct routes — led by work, short stay & visit and family, each set out in official law. 18 of them cite an official government source, shown on the route with the date we last read it. Who actually qualifies depends on your full profile.
- Immigration routes
- 19across 11 route categories, each set out in official law
- Source-cited routes
- 18 of 19cite an official government source, with the date we last read it
- Largest category
- Work4 of the 19 routes — see them under Work below
- Region
- Southern Africa
- Capital
- Gaborone
- Population
- 2,562,122
- Official language
- English, Tswana
- Currency
- BWP
- Time zone
- UTC+02:00
Immigration routes
All 19 routes, grouped by purpose — 18 of 19 cite an official government source directly. Any route below without one says so on the route.
Work
4 routes
For a non-citizen whose immediate paid employment or profit-making engagement will not exceed three months.
Entry visa for visa-required people travelling for employment, internship, research, work or voluntary service who already hold valid work and residence permits.
For a non-citizen taking paid employment in Botswana with an advertised post, employment contract and relevant qualifications.
Business & self-employment
1 route
For a non-citizen working in or operating an investment in Botswana for profit.
Talent & merit
1 route
For a researcher approved by the relevant Botswana ministry and, if foreign, holding the required temporary residence status.
Study
1 route
Entry visa for visa-required students who already hold a valid Botswana study or research permit.
Family
2 routes
Independent means
1 route
For a non-citizen seeking to remain beyond the visitation period with documented means of support or maintenance.
Residence-based status
2 routes
For a lawful resident with at least five continuous years in Botswana who meets character, contribution, standing and support requirements.
For an established investor whose business record may support permanent residence before five years of stay.
Short stay & visit
4 routes
For visa-required business visitors carrying out documented meetings or business activity without taking local employment.
For an investor seeking Botswana's named Investment Visa, subject to direct consular confirmation of the case-specific eligibility and documents.
For visa-required non-citizens travelling to Botswana for recreation.
For visa-required nationals visiting friends or relatives; employment, services and sales are prohibited.
Humanitarian protection
1 route
For a person in Botswana seeking protection because they cannot safely return to their country of origin.
Ancestry & return
1 route
Only for a person who held Botswana citizenship by birth or descent before renouncing it. Foreign spouses and children born after renunciation are excluded unless they qualify independently by birth or descent.
Transit
1 route
For visa-required travellers passing through Botswana, including qualifying transporters and tour operators.
Official sources
- BITC Investment Trade CentreGovernment
- Child Law ResourcesGovernment
- botswanaembassy.orgGovernment
- Botswana Tourism OrganisationGovernment
See which Botswana routes you actually qualify for.
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