Botswana Visa

When you need to get your Botswana travel visa processed quickly, Travel Document Systems is here to help. All of the Botswana visa requirements and application forms, plus convenient online ordering.

Get a Tourist Visa for Botswana

Botswana issues Tourist visas for:
  • Tourist travel

Botswana Tourist Visa for US Passport Holders Not Required

When you are travelling to Botswana with a U.S. Passport, a Tourist Visa is not required.

No visa required for a stay of up to 3 Months

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Botswana Tourist Visa for Non-US Passport Holders Required

When you are travelling to Botswana with a Non-US Passport, a Tourist Visa is required.

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Get a Business Visa for Botswana

Botswana issues Business visas for:
  • Business travel

Botswana Business Visa for US Passport Holders Not Required

When you are travelling to Botswana with a U.S. Passport, a Business Visa is not required.

No visa required for a stay of up to 3 Months

Check travel recommendations

Botswana Business Visa for Non-US Passport Holders Required

When you are travelling to Botswana with a Non-US Passport, a Business Visa is required.

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Get a Diplomatic Visa for Botswana

Botswana issues Diplomatic visas for:
  • Official and Diplomatic Travel

Botswana Diplomatic Visa for US Passport Holders Not Required

When you are travelling to Botswana with a U.S. Passport, a Diplomatic Visa is not required.

No visa required for a stay of up to 3 Months

Check travel recommendations

Botswana Diplomatic Visa for Non-US Passport Holders Required

When you are travelling to Botswana with a Non-US Passport, a Diplomatic Visa is required.

TDS is unable to assist at this time.

Travel Information

Get the most up-to-date information for Botswana related to Botswana travel visas, Botswana visa requirements and applications, embassy and consulate addresses, foreign relations information, travel advisories, entry and exit restrictions, and travel tips from the US State Department's website.

Vaccinations

Malaria Shots are advised.

Get more health information for travelers to Botswana:

About Botswana

Read about the people, history, government, economy and geography of Botswana at the CIA's World FactBook.

A Brief History of Botswana

Batswana, a term also used to denote all citizens of Botswana, refers to the country's major ethnic group (the "Tswana" in South Africa), which came into the area from South Africa during the Zulu wars of the early 1800s. Prior to European contact, the Batswana lived as herders and farmers under tribal rule.

In the 19th century, hostilities broke out between the Batswana and Boer settlers from the Transvaal. After appeals by the Batswana for assistance, the British Government in 1885 put "Bechuanaland" under its protection. The northern territory remained under direct administration and is today's Botswana, while the southern territory became part of the Cape Colony and is now part of the northwest province of South Africa; the majority of Setswana-speaking people today live in South Africa.

Despite South African pressure, inhabitants of the Bechuanaland Protectorate, Basutoland (now Lesotho), and Swaziland in 1909 asked for and received British assurances that they would not be included in the proposed Union of South Africa. An expansion of British central authority and the evolution of tribal government resulted in the 1920 establishment of two advisory councils representing Africans and Europeans. Proclamations in 1934 regularized tribal rule and powers. A European-African advisory council was formed in 1951, and the 1961 constitution established a consultative legislative council.

In June 1964, Britain accepted proposals for democratic self-government in Botswana. The seat of government was moved from Mafikeng, in South Africa, to the newly established Gaborone in 1965. The 1965 constitution led to the first general elections and to independence in September 1966. General elections serve to elect members of parliament, and the presidential candidate from the party that wins the most seats in the general election becomes the president. Seretse Khama, a leader in the independence movement and the legitimate claimant to traditional rule of the Bamangwato, became the country’s first president, was re-elected twice, and died in office in 1980. The presidency passed to the sitting vice president, Ketumile Masire, who was elected in his own right in 1984 and re-elected in 1989 and 1994. Masire retired from office in 1998. The presidency passed to the sitting vice president, Festus Mogae, who was elected in his own right in 1999. Mogae won a second term in elections held October 30, 2004, and stepped down in accordance with national term limits on March 31, 2008. On April 1, 2008, former Vice President Ian Khama assumed the presidency. Khama was elected as President in his own right during the general election held on October 16, 2009.

Learn more about Botswana in our World Atlas