Botswana
General visa requirements for travelling to Botswana. These policies apply to all nationalities unless a country-specific policy exists.
Have a specific passport country? Check your specific route.
Tourist visa (Commonwealth Visa-Free Entry)
Applies to all nationalities · Last updated: 25 June 2026
Visa free
- Maximum stay
- 90 days
- Processing time
- N/A - no application required
- Fee
- Free
- Validity
- 90 days within a 12 month period
- Entry
- Single entry
Eligibility
-
Nationality
Commonwealth countries except Bangladesh, Cameroon, Ghana, India, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka
Eligible countries: Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Dominica, Eswatini, Fiji, Gambia, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Kenya, Kiribati, Lesotho, Malawi, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, South Sudan, Tanzania, United Republic of, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, Uganda, United Kingdom, Vanuatu, Zambia, Zimbabwe
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Purpose of visit
Tourism, business, or visiting friends/family. Cannot work or undertake formal studies.
Documents you need
-
Passport
Blank pages required: 2; Validity months: 6
-
International vaccination card
Required vaccinations: Yellow fever vaccination certificate required if arriving from or transiting (>12 hours) through countries with risk of yellow fever transmission. Applies to travelers aged 1 year or over; Validity months: 120
Tourist visa (European Visa-Free Entry)
Applies to all nationalities · Last updated: 25 June 2026
Visa free
- Maximum stay
- 90 days
- Processing time
- N/A - no application required
- Fee
- Free
- Validity
- 90 days within a 12 month period
- Entry
- Single entry
Eligibility
-
Nationality
Most European Union and Schengen countries
Eligible countries: Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Holy See, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland
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Purpose of visit
Tourism, business, or visiting friends/family. Cannot work or undertake formal studies.
Documents you need
-
Passport
Blank pages required: 2; Validity months: 6
-
International vaccination card
Required vaccinations: Yellow fever vaccination certificate required if arriving from or transiting (>12 hours) through countries with risk of yellow fever transmission; Validity months: 120
Tourist visa (Bilateral Visa Abolition Agreements)
Applies to all nationalities · Last updated: 25 June 2026
Visa free
- Maximum stay
- 90 days
- Processing time
- N/A - no application required
- Fee
- Free
- Validity
- 90 days within a 12 month period
- Entry
- Single entry
Eligibility
-
Nationality
Countries with visa abolition agreements with Botswana
Eligible countries: Angola, Argentina, Bahrain, Bhutan, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Honduras, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Korea (Republic of), Kuwait, Mexico, Oman, Panama, Paraguay, Qatar, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Uruguay, Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of)
-
Purpose of visit
Tourism, business, or visiting friends/family. Cannot work or undertake formal studies.
Documents you need
-
Passport
Blank pages required: 2; Validity months: 6
-
International vaccination card
Required vaccinations: Yellow fever vaccination certificate required if arriving from or transiting (>12 hours) through countries with risk of yellow fever transmission; Validity months: 120
Tourist visa (Commonwealth Countries Tourist e-Visa)
Applies to all nationalities · Last updated: 25 June 2026
e-Visa
- Maximum stay
- 30 days
- Processing time
- 7-14 working days
- Fee
- 300 BWP (approximately $23 USD)
- Validity
- Single entry visa valid for 30 days
- Entry
- Single entry
E-visa system launched August 12, 2021. All countries requiring visas are now eligible for e-visa. Diplomatic/official passport holders from India exempt for up to 30 days.
Eligibility
-
Nationality
Commonwealth countries requiring visas include Bangladesh, Cameroon, Ghana, India, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
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Purpose of visit
Tourism or visiting friends/family. Cannot work or undertake formal studies.
-
Financial
Bank statement must show at least 3,000 BWP per applicant
Minimum funds: 3000
-
Criminal record
Police clearance required for any country where resided 12+ months after age 18
Documents you need
-
Passport
Blank pages required: 3; Validity months: 6
-
Photo
Count: 2; Specifications: Recent colored passport-size photographs
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Bank statement
Minimum balance: 3000; Months required: 3
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Accommodation proof
Provide hotel booking, tenancy evidence or host details that cover the planned stay.
Must cover full stay: Yes
-
Flight reservation
Provide flight booking or itinerary evidence when the route asks for travel plans.
Must be confirmed: No; Must show return: Yes
-
Police clearance
Validity months: 6
-
Medical certificate
Provide medical evidence from a recognised doctor or clinic when the route asks for health confirmation.
-
Application form
Use the official application form for this route and complete all required fields.
Form name: E-visa application form; Form url: https://evisa.gov.bw/
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Cover letter
Explain the purpose of travel, travel dates, who will pay, and why you will leave before the visa or permission expires.
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Visa fee payment
Accepted methods: VISA, MasterCard; Amount: 300 BWP
-
International vaccination card
Required vaccinations: Yellow fever vaccination certificate required if arriving from or transiting (>12 hours) through countries with risk of yellow fever transmission; Validity months: 120
How to apply
-
Online application
Complete e-visa application form at evisa.gov.bw. Upload all required documents through online portal.
-
Document gathering
Gather all required supporting documents: passport copy, photographs, cover letter, bank statement, police clearance, medical certificate, flight itinerary, accommodation proof.
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Fee payment
Pay visa fee online using VISA or MasterCard.
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Processing wait
Wait for visa processing. Official Botswana guidance states 7 to 14 working days.
-
Visa collection
Download and print approved e-visa. E-visa will be sent to email address. Download, print, and carry when traveling to Botswana.
Tourist visa (China Tourist e-Visa)
Applies to all nationalities · Last updated: 25 June 2026
e-Visa
- Maximum stay
- 30 days
- Processing time
- 7-14 working days
- Fee
- 300 BWP (approximately $23 USD)
- Validity
- Single entry visa valid for 30 days
- Entry
- Single entry
Regular passport holders require e-visa. Diplomatic/official/service passport holders exempt for up to 30 days.
Eligibility
-
Nationality
Regular Chinese passport holders require visa. Diplomatic/official/service passport holders exempt for up to 30 days.
-
Purpose of visit
Tourism or visiting friends/family. Cannot work or undertake formal studies.
-
Financial
Bank statement must show at least 3,000 BWP per applicant
Minimum funds: 3000
Documents you need
-
Passport
Blank pages required: 3; Validity months: 6
-
Photo
Count: 2; Specifications: Recent colored passport-size photographs
-
Bank statement
Minimum balance: 3000; Months required: 3
-
Accommodation proof
Provide hotel booking, tenancy evidence or host details that cover the planned stay.
Must cover full stay: Yes
-
Flight reservation
Provide flight booking or itinerary evidence when the route asks for travel plans.
Must be confirmed: No; Must show return: Yes
-
Police clearance
Validity months: 6
-
Medical certificate
Provide medical evidence from a recognised doctor or clinic when the route asks for health confirmation.
-
Application form
Use the official application form for this route and complete all required fields.
Form name: E-visa application form; Form url: https://evisa.gov.bw/
-
Cover letter
Explain the purpose of travel, travel dates, who will pay, and why you will leave before the visa or permission expires.
-
Visa fee payment
Accepted methods: VISA, MasterCard; Amount: 300 BWP
-
International vaccination card
Required vaccinations: Yellow fever vaccination certificate required if arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission; Validity months: 120
How to apply
-
Online application
Complete e-visa application form at evisa.gov.bw. Upload all required documents through online portal.
-
Document gathering
Gather all required supporting documents: passport copy, photographs, cover letter, bank statement, police clearance, medical certificate, flight itinerary, accommodation proof.
-
Fee payment
Pay visa fee online using VISA or MasterCard.
-
Processing wait
Wait for visa processing. Official Botswana guidance states 7 to 14 working days.
-
Visa collection
Download and print approved e-visa. E-visa sent to email. Print and carry when traveling.
Tourist visa (United States Visa-Free Entry)
Applies to all nationalities · Last updated: 25 June 2026
Visa free
- Maximum stay
- 90 days
- Processing time
- N/A - no application required
- Fee
- Free
- Validity
- Up to 90 days total within a 12-month period
- Entry
- Single entry
U.S. citizens traveling with temporary passports must obtain a visa before arrival and cannot get visa on arrival.
Eligibility
-
Nationality
U.S. citizens do not require a visa to enter Botswana. Temporary passports require a visa obtained before arrival.
-
Purpose of visit
Tourism, business, or visiting friends/family. Cannot work or undertake formal studies.
Documents you need
-
Passport
Blank pages required: 2; Validity months: 6
-
International vaccination card
Required vaccinations: Yellow fever vaccination certificate required if arriving from or transiting (>12 hours) through countries with risk of yellow fever transmission; Validity months: 120