Permanent Residence

Overview

Once you have lived in Botswana lawfully for several years, you may be able to apply for permanent residence - a more settled status than the renewable work and residence permits. It is granted, on a discretionary basis, by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship, and the official guidance describes categories such as immigrants and dependants, employees, and investors, each with their own documentation. The official guidance also points to a qualifying period of continuous lawful residence (commonly several years) before you can apply. Because it confers durable, long-term residence, this route is treated as leading to settlement. Good to know: permanent residence is at the authorities' discretion and is still a residence status, not Botswana citizenship, which is a separate process.

Eligibility

Application pathway

1. 01

   Check the route fit

   Confirm you meet the qualifying period of continuous lawful residence and identify your category on the official gov.bw page.

2. 02

   Build the evidence pack

   Assemble proof of your residence history and the category-specific documents the Department of Immigration and Citizenship requires.

3. 03

   Submit through the official channel

   Submit the permanent residence application through the official Department of Immigration and Citizenship process.

4. 04

   After approval

   Hold permanent residence, comply with any conditions, and consider the separate citizenship route over time where eligible.

Also explored by

Compare Republic of Botswana with

• 🇨🇲 Republic of Cameroon
• 🇹🇬 Togolese Republic
• 🇧🇮 Republic of Burundi

Related routes

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.