Botswana e-Visa
Apply for your Botswana e-Visa online — quick processing with guided checks and email confirmation to help you enter Botswana smoothly.
What Is the Botswana e-Visa?
The Botswana e-Visa is an electronic visa issued by the Government of Botswana that lets eligible travellers apply online before arrival. Launched through the national e-visa portal, the system modernises the old paper-and-consular-only workflow by allowing applicants to submit Form 1 and supporting documents electronically, pay online, and track application status via the official eVisa portal.
Apply through the official portal or use DoVisa for guided completion, document checks, and support. After approval you receive an electronic approval/confirmation by email — many applicants print the confirmation or save the PDF to present at immigration. Fingerprints are captured on arrival at ports of entry and the approved document must be carried with your passport.
The e-visa sits alongside Botswana's paper and in-person options: it speeds up processing for short tourism and business visits while preserving immigration officers’ discretion at the border. It does not replace entry stamps, and final permission to enter remains with immigration officers at the port of entry. Recent government guidance confirms a standard short-stay tourism visa is typically valid for up to one month and may be extended on justification; follow instructions on the national eVisa portal when you apply.
Key facts: processing is handled by Botswana Immigration via the eVisa portal; required documents include passport pages, photos and travel details. For full country entry rules see Botswana visa information. When you're ready to start, Apply for your Botswana e-Visa now.
Who Needs the Botswana e-Visa?
Who Needs It
- Foreign nationals who require a visa to enter Botswana and plan short recreational or business visits
- Applicants intending to enter for tourism, visiting friends or family, or short non-work business activities
- Children and minors — a parent or legal guardian applies on their behalf using the same online process
Who Is Exempt
- Citizens of visa‑exempt countries listed by the Government of Botswana (for example: South Africa, United Kingdom, United States of America, Namibia, Zambia)
- Diplomatic and official passport holders on government business
- Airline and vessel crew on active official duty
Botswana Entry Requirements & Restrictions
Passport Validity
Your passport must have at least six (6) months validity from the date of arrival and contain sufficient blank pages. See the Government page at gov.bw — Visa Application.
Vaccination & Health
A Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is required only if you are arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. Check the CDC guidance for Botswana at CDC Botswana.
Customs & Prohibited Items
Botswana prohibits importing habit‑forming drugs, obscene/pornographic materials and requires permits for firearms and ammunition. Commercial or restricted agricultural imports may also be subject to bans — consult customs guidance at trade.gov.
Fingerprinting & Identity Checks
Fingerprints are captured at the point of entry as part of immigration procedures; bring original identification and certified copies where required. Follow instructions on the e‑Visa portal for pre-submission documents.
Travel Insurance & Funds
Travel insurance is strongly recommended for safaris and remote travel. Have proof of onward travel, accommodation bookings, and sufficient funds for your stay ready for immigration checks.
Travel Tips for Botswana Visitors
Botswana is a landlocked country famed for wildlife and the Okavango Delta. Main international airports are Sir Seretse Khama International Airport in Gaborone (GBE), Maun Airport (MUB), Kasane Airport (BBK) and Francistown Airport (FRW). Domestic transfers to safari lodges are often by light aircraft; confirm timings with operators before you fly.
- Currency: Botswana Pula (BWP). US dollars are widely accepted by lodges and safari operators—carry small denominations for tips.
- Language: English is an official language and widely used for tourism; Setswana is the national language.
- Time zone: GMT+2 (Central Africa Time), no daylight saving.
- Best time to visit: May–October during the dry season for clearer game viewing; summer months bring thunderstorms.
- Health: bring insect repellent for mosquitoes in delta areas and follow CDC vaccine advice.
- Customs: avoid bringing prohibited materials; declare prescription medication and firearms in advance with permits.
- Transport: allow extra time for light-air transfers to lodges — delays are common during peak season.
- Safety: exercise caution in urban areas and do not display valuables publicly.
"I applied for the Botswana e-Visa through DoVisa before a family safari. The email approval arrived in two working days and immigration at Maun (MUB) accepted the PDF without issue."
"Great guidance — photo and passport checks were thorough. The eVisa approval came by email and I kept the PDF on my phone for Sir Seretse Khama (GBE) immigration."
"Submitted during a busy week and got confirmation quickly. Support clarified which passport page to upload and the finger‑printing note for arrival — stress free at Gaborone (GBE)."
"The visa application was straightforward but I needed to correct my travel dates via the portal. DoVisa helped and the final Botswana e-Visa arrived by email before departure."
"Photo upload required a precise size; once I resized the image the application progressed. Immigration at Kasane (BBK) scanned the approval without issue."
"Helpful reminders about yellow fever rules and passport validity. The team suggested carrying certified copies of documents for border checks."
"Processing was smooth overall. Kept the PDF approval and printed copy; Maun immigration asked to see accommodation booking and return itinerary."
"Minor delay: my approval arrived later than expected but still before travel. Support explained next steps and everything worked out at Francistown (FRW)."
"Quick and reliable — approval emailed and the agent confirmed transfer timings to the lodge. The Botswana e-Visa saved time compared with embassy visits."
"Perfect for a business trip. I applied on my phone, received email confirmation and the immigration officer at Gaborone (GBE) scanned the PDF without questions."
"I applied for the Botswana e-Visa through DoVisa before a family safari. The email approval arrived in two working days and immigration at Maun (MUB) accepted the PDF without issue."
"Great guidance — photo and passport checks were thorough. The eVisa approval came by email and I kept the PDF on my phone for Sir Seretse Khama (GBE) immigration."
"Submitted during a busy week and got confirmation quickly. Support clarified which passport page to upload and the finger‑printing note for arrival — stress free at Gaborone (GBE)."
Botswana e-Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Apply for Your Botswana e-Visa?
Complete the online application with guided support and document checks. Fast processing options and 24/7 assistance available.
Check Price & Apply NowSources & References
- Botswana e-Visa Portal
- Government of Botswana — Visa Application (Tourism Visa)
- Guidelines for Completing a Visa Application — Embassy of the Republic of Botswana
- CDC — Botswana Travel Health Information
- U.S. Department of State — Botswana International Travel Information
- Botswana — Prohibited and Restricted Imports (Trade.gov)
- Botswana e-Visa Application PDF — Embassy resource