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IMMIGRATION LAW IN BOTSWANA

IMMIGRATION LAW IN BOTSWANA

VISA REQUIREMENTS

Countries Requiring Visas:

All persons entering Botswana except the following require visas:

• Commonwealth countries (except Ghana, India, Nigeria, Sri Lanka and Pakistan), Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Mauritius, Netherlands, Norway, Republic of Ireland, Samoa, San Marino, Sweden, Switzerland, United States of America, Uruguay, and Yugoslavia.

Types of Visa, Validity and Cost:

Tourist and Business Visa:

Single or Multiple Entry (30-90 days): US $ 103.

This information was last updated on 01.01.2007.

Documents Required for Visa Application:

The following documents are required while applying for a Visa:

• Passport valid for at least 6 months;
• Two Completed Application forms;
• Two passport-size photos;
• Fee (through postal order or cheque only);
• Proof of sufficient funds for stay;
• Outgoing travel documents;
• Return Visa or residence permit from the country of residence;
• Return air ticket.

Along with the above documents the following documents are also required as per the visa type:

For Tourist Visa:

• Evidence of Itinerary;
• Letter of invitation from host indicating purpose of trip.

For Business Visa:

• Confirmation letter from the country of origin.

You can download a Visa Application Form from: www.passportsplus.com/forms/visa/visa_botswana_dc.pdf

BOTSWANA CITIZENSHIP

A person may acquire citizenship of Botswana through one of the following methods:

1.      By Birth: A child does not acquire citizenship automatically by being born in the territory of Botswana.

2.      By Descent: The following persons acquire citizenship by descent:

·        A child whose father is a citizen of Botswana, regardless of the country of birth;

·        A child born out of wedlock whose mother is a citizen of Botswana.

3.      By Naturalization: An applicant fulfilling the following conditions can acquire Botswana citizenship:

• he is of good character;
• has sufficient knowledge of the Setswana language;
• has been a Botswana resident for a continuous period of 12 months prior to application;
• has lived in Botswana in the preceding 12 years for an aggregate of 10 years;
• has the intention of permanently residing in Botswana.

4.      By Marriage: A woman marrying a Botswana citizen can acquire citizenship if preceding the date of application she has been a Botswana resident for a continuous period of 2 and a half years.

IMMIGRATION LAW IN BOTSWANA

VISA REQUIREMENTS

Countries Requiring Visas:

All persons entering Botswana except the following require visas:

• Commonwealth countries (except Ghana, India, Nigeria, Sri Lanka and Pakistan), Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Mauritius, Netherlands, Norway, Republic of Ireland, Samoa, San Marino, Sweden, Switzerland, United States of America, Uruguay, and Yugoslavia.

Types of Visa, Validity and Cost:

Tourist and Business Visa:

Single or Multiple Entry (30-90 days): US $ 103.

This information was last updated on 01.01.2007.

Documents Required for Visa Application:

The following documents are required while applying for a Visa:

• Passport valid for at least 6 months;
• Two Completed Application forms;
• Two passport-size photos;
• Fee (through postal order or cheque only);
• Proof of sufficient funds for stay;
• Outgoing travel documents;
• Return Visa or residence permit from the country of residence;
• Return air ticket.

Along with the above documents the following documents are also required as per the visa type:

For Tourist Visa:

• Evidence of Itinerary;
• Letter of invitation from host indicating purpose of trip.

For Business Visa:

• Confirmation letter from the country of origin.

You can download a Visa Application Form from: www.passportsplus.com/forms/visa/visa_botswana_dc.pdf

BOTSWANA CITIZENSHIP

A person may acquire citizenship of Botswana through one of the following methods:

1.      By Birth: A child does not acquire citizenship automatically by being born in the territory of Botswana.

2.      By Descent: The following persons acquire citizenship by descent:

·        A child whose father is a citizen of Botswana, regardless of the country of birth;

·      A child born out of wedlock whose mother is a citizen of Botswana.

3.      By Naturalization: An applicant fulfilling the following conditions can acquire Botswana citizenship:

• he is of good character;
• has sufficient knowledge of the Setswana language;
• has been a Botswana resident for a continuous period of 12 months prior to application;
• has lived in Botswana in the preceding 12 years for an aggregate of 10 years;
• has the intention of permanently residing in Botswana.

4.      By Marriage: A woman marrying a Botswana citizen can acquire citizenship if preceding the date of application she has been a Botswana resident for a continuous period of 2 and a half years.