Residence Permit

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

Application pathway

1. 01

   Check the route fit

   Identify which residence permit category (immigrant, spouse, dependant or student) fits you on the official gov.bw page.

2. 02

   Build the evidence pack

   Complete the residence permit application and gather the category-specific documents and your passport.

3. 03

   Submit through the official channel

   Submit the application with supporting documents through the official Department of Immigration and Citizenship process.

4. 04

   After approval

   Hold the residence permit, keep it valid, and renew before expiry; several years of lawful residence may support a permanent residence application.

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Compare Republic of Botswana with

• 🇨🇲 Republic of Cameroon
• 🇹🇬 Togolese Republic
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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.