Republic of Botswana visas
Botswana administers immigration through the Department of Immigration and Citizenship, with applications via the gov.bw portal. Headline routes include employer work permits, investor and entrepreneur work permits, residence permits for immigrants, dependants and spouses of citizens, and a discretionary permanent-residence route. A citizenship-by-investment framework and dual citizenship are in development for 2025-26 but are not yet in force.
6 routes · 3 without a sponsor · 2 lead to settlement
Official portal
Primary source
Department of Immigration and Citizenship ↗ · Department of Immigration and Citizenship (Ministry of Labour and Home Affairs, Botswana)
Link last verified:
Regulators of immigration advice
- Law Society of Botswana (LSB) — Statutory body regulating attorneys in Botswana. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator; representation is by licensed attorneys.
Visa routes (6)
Work Permit
For non-citizens taking up employment in Botswana: the work permit gives you permission to work for a Botswana employer, applied for through the Department of Immigration and Citizenship on the national portal gov.bw.
Sponsor required · Non-settlement · Last reviewed 11 July 2026
Investor Work Permit
For non-citizens investing in a business in Botswana: the investor category of the work permit lets you reside and run or invest in a Botswana business, applied for through the Department of Immigration and Citizenship on gov.bw.
No sponsor needed · Non-settlement · Last reviewed 11 July 2026
Residence Permit
For non-citizens who want to live in Botswana beyond a visit: the residence permit is the general permit that lets immigrants, and certain other categories, reside in the country, applied for through the Department of Immigration and Citizenship on gov.bw.
No sponsor needed · Non-settlement · Last reviewed 11 July 2026
Residence Permit - Spouse of a Botswana Citizen
For the foreign husband or wife of a Botswana citizen: this category of the residence permit lets you live in Botswana on the basis of your marriage, and it can place you on the path toward longer-term settlement.
Sponsor required · Leads to settlement · Last reviewed 11 July 2026
Residence Permit - Dependants
For dependent family members of someone living in Botswana: this category of the residence permit lets dependants, including younger adults (18-25) and older relatives (65+), reside on the basis of their sponsor, applied for through the Department of Immigration and Citizenship.
Sponsor required · Non-settlement · Last reviewed 11 July 2026
Permanent Residence
For non-citizens with a long, lawful stay in Botswana: permanent residence is the discretionary, durable status you can apply for after years in the country, going beyond the renewable work and residence permits.
No sponsor needed · Leads to settlement · Last reviewed 11 July 2026
Planning life after your move?
Organise documents, arrival money, housing and the practical steps after visa approval. Your route conditions remain the starting point.
Frequently asked questions
How many visa routes does Republic of Botswana have?+
We cover 6 Republic of Botswana visa routes in these categories: sponsored work, investor, general residence, and family. Each one links to its primary government source and carries a last-reviewed date.
Which Republic of Botswana visas do not need an employer sponsor?+
3 of the 6 Republic of Botswana routes we cover can be pursued without an employer sponsor, which helps if you do not have a job offer yet. The remaining 3 are employer-sponsored.
Which Republic of Botswana visas lead to permanent residence?+
2 of the 6 routes can lead to settlement or permanent residence; the others are temporary. Open each route for its settlement detail and qualifying period.
Need tailored advice?
We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.
Find a regulated advisor in Botswana