Permits & Visas for Botswana

Who needs what?

• Work Permit (employment) — Required for all non-citizens who will take up employment in Botswana; employers may not engage a non-citizen without a valid work permit or exemption.
• Business/Investor Permit — For setting up or investing in a business; involves business structure, licensing, and supporting documents (company registration, directors, etc.).
  
• Student Visa / Residence Permit — Needed for studies; waiver if study is ≤6 months, student residence permit if >6 months.
  
• Travel Visa (visitor/business) — Some nationalities are visa-exempt; applications generally lodged before entry at a Botswana mission.

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Benefits of being correctly documented

• Work legally and avoid enforcement issues.
  
• Set up & run a business with the right permits/licences.
  
• Study without interruption (choose waiver vs. residence correctly).
  
• Travel smoothly (know if you’re visa-exempt and what to supply).

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Requirements (what documents to expect)

Work Permit (employment)

• Employer bundle showing local recruitment attempts (advertising details, periods, etc.).
  
• Individual bundle: job offer/contract, application form, CV, certified copies (birth/marriage/educational, translated to English), medical report, passport copies, photos, relevant labour forms; some professions need professional body registration.
  

‍Submission & decision: Submit to an authorised officer (interview possible) → forwarded to the Regional Immigrants Selection Board, which may request more info and consider training/skills transfer plans. Validity is set at the Board’s discretion; renewals possible.

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Business / Investor Permit

South Africa encourages investment in key industries that drive economic growth. If your business aligns with these sectors, you may qualify for reduced investment requirements:

1. Application forms + company documents (share certificate, directors list, incorporation certificate), relevant business licence, photos, CV, education certificates, passport copy.
   
2. Expect local authority inspections for licensing after your business is set up.
   
3. Possible structures: company, business name (sole owner), co-operative society.
   
4. Set up tax/VAT, work-injury cover, etc.

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Student Visa / Residence

Process:

Residency is processed after on-campus registration (universities usually issue a travel letter/package for airlines/border).

≤6 months:

Apply for a waiver (admission letter, sponsorship letter, passport page, letter from International Office).

>6 months:

Apply for student residence permit (admission/sponsorship letters, photos, passport/birth cert copies, fees, International Office letter).

Visa exemptions apply for many nationalities (see official lists).

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Travel Visa (visitor/business)

• Who applies: Visitors who are not exempt; also certain permit-holders returning after 6+ months away.
• Supply: Form, tickets/itinerary, host’s ID/permits, host invitation, business docs (if applicable), proof of funds & accommodation, and relevant civil-status docs.
• Study without interruption (choose waiver vs. residence correctly).
  
• Travel smoothly (know if you’re visa-exempt and what to supply).

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How it works

• Choose your route (employment work permit, business/investor, student, travel).
• Assemble documents (see the lists above).
• Lodge the application with the relevant authority (mission or in-country channel). Interviews possible for work permits.
• Decision & issuance (work permits go via the authorised officer → Board).
• Compliance & renewals (work permits renewable; business licences follow local inspections; students keep status aligned to study length).

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Timelines & validity

Travel Visa:

~7 days processing (extra time recommended).

Work Permit:

Validity is set by the Board; renewals available. (case-by-case basis)

Student:

Waiver vs. residence depends on ≤/> 6 months stay; processed after registration.

Business/Investor:

Timelines vary; licensing typically follows entity setup and council inspections.

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Relocation support

Airport arrival assistance, home rentals, bank account setups, insurance recommendations, school selection, and pet transport-to help you settle and focus on work sooner.