Republic of Botswana · residence general
Residence Permit
By Sam Parks · Last reviewed:
Source check: all 11 official citations reconfirmed 13 September 2026
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.
- Processing time
- Indicative only - the official guidance notes the residence permit takes several weeks of working days; confirm current timelines on the official gov.bw page.
- Government fees
- Indicative only - a government fee applies; confirm the current amount on the official gov.bw page.
- Typical duration
- A renewable permit issued for a set period that depends on the category; confirm current validity on the official page.
- Sponsorship required
- No
- Leads to permanent residency
- No
In short
As of 11 July 2026, the Residence Permit for Republic of Botswana is an unsponsored Botswana immigration route. Sources: official Republic of Botswana government pages, reviewed 11 July 2026.
Cite this: https://visaatlas.org/visas/botswana/residence-permit#answer
What is the Residence Permit in Republic of Botswana?
Residence Permit is an unsponsored Botswana route. Indicative government fees are Indicative only - a government fee applies; confirm the current amount on the official gov.bw page; indicative processing time is Indicative only - the official guidance notes the residence permit takes several weeks of working days; confirm current timelines on the official gov.bw page; typical duration is A renewable permit issued for a set period that depends on the category; confirm current validity on the official page. This route does not lead to permanent residence.
Verified against Department of Immigration and Citizenship on 1 June 2026.
Overview
If you want to live in Botswana for longer than a visit allows, the residence permit is the general route. All non-citizens who wish to stay in Botswana should apply for a residence permit to live in the country, and it is granted by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship. The application covers several categories, including immigrants, spouses of citizens, dependants and students, so the documents you need depend on which category fits you. The general immigrant residence permit is renewable rather than permanent, so on its own it does not lead to settlement, though several years of lawful residence can support a later permanent residence application. Good to know: people who work in Botswana usually hold this residence permit alongside a work permit.
Eligibility
Typical criteria
- ✓A basis to reside in Botswana that fits one of the residence permit categories (immigrant, spouse of a citizen, dependant or student).Department of Immigration and Citizenship ↗
- ✓A completed residence permit application with the documents the Department of Immigration and Citizenship requires for that category.Department of Immigration and Citizenship ↗
- ✓A valid passport and, where relevant, a work permit held alongside the residence permit.Department of Immigration and Citizenship ↗
- ✓Supporting evidence appropriate to the category, such as employment, relationship or enrolment documents.Department of Immigration and Citizenship ↗
Common blockers
- !No qualifying basis matching a residence permit category.Department of Immigration and Citizenship ↗
- !Trying to stay long term on a visitor entry instead of a residence permit.Department of Immigration and Citizenship ↗
- !Incomplete category-specific documents at submission.Department of Immigration and Citizenship ↗
Typical evidence
- ·A completed residence permit application form.Department of Immigration and Citizenship ↗
- ·A valid passport and supporting personal documents.Department of Immigration and Citizenship ↗
- ·Category-specific evidence (work permit, marriage certificate, sponsor documents or enrolment proof).Department of Immigration and Citizenship ↗
- ·Evidence of means of support where required.Department of Immigration and Citizenship ↗
Application pathway
Check the route fit
Identify which residence permit category (immigrant, spouse, dependant or student) fits you on the official gov.bw page.
Build the evidence pack
Complete the residence permit application and gather the category-specific documents and your passport.
Submit through the official channel
Submit the application with supporting documents through the official Department of Immigration and Citizenship process.
After approval
Hold the residence permit, keep it valid, and renew before expiry; several years of lawful residence may support a permanent residence application.
After approval: prepare for your next step
For Residence Permit, use the actual decision and the issuing authority’s instructions to establish what has been granted. A successful application, permission to enter, permission to work and a residence document are not interchangeable.
- 1. Check the decision. Confirm the name, passport, status granted, start date and any next action. Resolve an error with the authority before relying on the document for travel or employment.
- 2. Establish the travel step. Read any entry window, activation, collection or in-country registration instruction. For an extension or change of status, do not assume leaving the country is required or safe while a further step remains pending.
- 3. Confirm what you may do. Check whether employment, self-employment, remote work or study is permitted under the status granted. Do not infer unrestricted work rights from the absence of an employer sponsor.
- 4. Organise the household. Check each accompanying person’s permission separately, then arrange healthcare, accommodation, access to money and the relevant local registrations. A tax number or bank account does not by itself prove a right to work.
- 5. Keep the ongoing conditions visible. Record the actual expiry, renewal process, permitted absences and any duty to report changes. An initial grant does not automatically establish permanent residence or citizenship.
Official application links
Where to actually go next
These are the official pages to use for this route. Open them before preparing documents: the forms, fees, appointment systems, and sponsor steps can change without warning.
- Official guidanceApplicantUse official Residence Permit route page ↗
Use this official page to confirm requirements and follow the government filing route for Residence Permit.
Department of Immigration and Citizenship · verified
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Related routes
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.
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.
Frequently asked questions
Who needs a residence permit in Botswana?+
All non-citizens who want to stay in Botswana beyond a visit should apply for a residence permit, which covers categories including immigrants, spouses of citizens, dependants and students. Confirm which category fits you and its documents on the official gov.bw page.
Is the residence permit permanent?+
No. The general residence permit is renewable but not permanent. After several years of continuous lawful residence you may be able to apply for permanent residence, which is a separate, discretionary status. Confirm the current rules on the official gov.bw page.
How long does a Botswana residence permit take to process?+
The official guidance notes the residence permit takes several weeks of working days, but this is indicative only, so confirm current timelines on the official Department of Immigration and Citizenship page on gov.bw.
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 BotswanaHow we verified this
We check every figure on this page against the primary government source, record the date it was last checked, and re-check it on a regular schedule. Rules change, so always confirm time-sensitive details with the official source before you rely on them. Visa Atlas is an information-only publication and does not give legal advice.
Primary source: Department of Immigration and Citizenship
Last checked: 1 June 2026