Botswana Launches E-Visa Platform, Targets Investors. Here’s How To Apply

Botswana has inaugurated an E-Visa online visa application platform, allowing citizens and tourists to apply for a visa from the comfort of their own homes. Anna Mokgethi, Minister of Nationality, Immigration, and Gender Affairs, stated the new platform will increase productivity, customer happiness, and Botswana’s digital footprint during the inauguration of E-Visa in Gaborone, Botswana’s capital city.

Anna Mokgethi, Minister of Nationality, Immigration, and Gender Affairs
Anna Mokgethi, Minister of Nationality, Immigration, and Gender Affairs

Here Is What You Need To Know

  • Tourists who want a visa to enter Botswana can now use the portal to generate an application, pay for it, fill it out, and upload all supporting papers. They can also use the portal to check the status of their visa.
  • For a single admission for up to one month, the eVisa costs BWP300 (€23), and for multiple entries for up to three months, it costs BWP500 (€38). Payment of the visa cost is non-refundable, and acceptance is not guaranteed.
  • According to Mokgethi, the previous procedure took a long time because applicants had to fill out forms, attach other relevant papers, submit them, and pay the appropriate money to the local immigration office. Outside of Botswana, applicants were also obliged to have aids submit application papers and make fees on their behalf.
  • The new digital system will replace the manual approach, and it is projected to save the government money, time, paperwork, and labor spent on visa applications while also providing better service to visitors.
Economy | Go Botswana | Botswana Investment and Trade Centre (BITC) |  Invest, Trade, Export
Percentage Of Gross Domestic Product by Economic Activity. Source: Botswana Investment and Trade Centre

Here Is How To Apply

The entire visa application process is thought to be moved to the digital domain with E-Visa. The traveller accesses the country’s E-Visa portal, completes the application and accompanying documents, pays online, and communicates with the authorities through the Internet.

Read also: Insurtech Startup, AlphaDirect Secures Fund for Expansion in Botswana

The Republic of Botswana’s immigration procedures must be followed when visas are granted. 

The portal can be accessed by visiting the new website here.

Botswana e-visa Botswana e-visa

Charles Rapulu Udoh

Charles Rapulu Udoh is a Lagos-based lawyer who has advised startups across Africa on issues such as startup funding (Venture Capital, Debt financing, private equity, angel investing etc), taxation, strategies, etc. He also has special focus on the protection of business or brands’ intellectual property rights ( such as trademark, patent or design) across Africa and other foreign jurisdictions.
He is well versed on issues of ESG (sustainability), media and entertainment law, corporate finance and governance.
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