Botswana visa options for Australia passport holders

Visa types & longer-stay routes for Botswana

Rules are written for foreign (non-citizen) nationals; short-stay specifics cited here reflect visa-exempt passports such as US, UK, EU, Canada and Australia, while visa-required nationalities must apply for the corresponding eVisa or permit.

• Most nomadsTourist

  Visa-Free Short Stay / Tourist eVisa

  Up to 90 days within a 12-month period for most visa-exempt nationals (the exact length granted is set on the entry stamp and may be shorter); extensions via the Department of Immigration.

  Insurance

  Recommended. No general health-insurance mandate found in official sources, but travel/medical cover is strongly advised as care is paid out-of-pocket.

  Good for

  Holders of visa-exempt passports (incl. US, UK, EU, Canada, Australia) entering for tourism or short visits; visa-required nationals apply for the tourism eVisa beforehand.

  Requirement

  Passport valid at least 6 months with 3 blank pages; return/onward ticket and proof of accommodation. Visa-required nationals submit a tourism eVisa (passport scan, photo, itinerary, accommodation) processed in roughly 7-14 working days.

• Business

  Business Visa

  Issued for up to 1 year and cannot be extended (per gov.bw business visa page).

  Insurance

  Recommended. Not required by the published business-visa rules; private medical/travel cover advised.

  Good for

  Visa-required investors, entrepreneurs or traders coming to explore business opportunities, attend conferences/conventions, negotiate contracts or meet associates (no local employment).

  Requirement

  Certified passport pages 1-2 (6+ months validity), 2 photos, cover letter stating purpose, flight itinerary and accommodation/residential address, plus where applicable certificate of incorporation, business plan, trading licence, share certificate and bank statements.

• Work

  Employment (Work) Permit + Work Visa

  Permits are typically issued for about 1-2 years and renewable while the employment continues (verify exact validity with Immigration); a residence permit is required for stays beyond 90 days.

  Insurance

  Recommended. Official rules require a medical fitness report, not insurance; private health cover advised as it is not guaranteed by the permit.

  Good for

  Foreign nationals taking up employment with a Botswana employer; common routes are the General Employment Permit and Specific Employment Permit (specialised categories also exist for investors, medical staff, teachers, pilots, etc.).

  Requirement

  Job offer/contract from a Botswana employer (post usually advertised 14+ days), valid passport, CV, certified qualifications, references, police clearance and a medical report; fee approx. USD 165. Both a work permit and work visa are needed.

• Study

  Student Route (Study Visa + Residence Permit)

  For the duration of the enrolled programme (passport must be valid for at least the full programme length); residence permit issued after admission and registration.

  Insurance

  Required(institution-level). University of Botswana guidance states international students must hold adequate medical insurance for emergencies and sickness, which may be needed for the student visa/residence permit; verify current wording with the institution.

  Good for

  Non-citizens enrolling full-time at a Botswana institution (e.g. University of Botswana, BIUST). Botswana issues no separate study permit, so the residence permit serves as the study permit.

  Requirement

  University admission/enrolment letter, valid passport, proof of sufficient funds (bursary/sponsorship/bank statement), medical report, photos and immigration support form; residence-permit fee around P1,500.

• Residence

  Investment Visa

  Longer-term/investor route tied to the investment; verify exact validity and renewal terms with the Department of Immigration (official page details could not be retrieved at time of checking).

  Insurance

  Recommended. No insurance requirement found in available sources; private medical cover advised. Verify details before relying on them.

  Good for

  Foreign investors establishing or running a qualifying business/investment in Botswana (a distinct gov.bw investment-visa route alongside the general business visa).

  Requirement

  Evidence of the investment/business in Botswana (e.g. company registration, business plan, financials) plus valid passport and standard immigration documents; figures and thresholds should be confirmed directly with Immigration.

• Residence

  Residence Permit (Long-Stay / Dependant)

  Issued for a specified period matching the underlying purpose (commonly aligned to a 1-2 year work permit) and renewable; permanent residence is a separate longer-term application.

  Insurance

  Recommended. Rules require a medical report rather than insurance; private health cover strongly advised for residents.

  Good for

  Non-citizens authorised to reside in Botswana for a set period and purpose - employment, investment, study or as a dependant of a permit holder; required for any stay over 90 days.

  Requirement

  Approved underlying status (e.g. work permit) plus passport, birth/marriage certificates, police clearance and a medical report; fee approx. USD 165 for issuance, renewal or replacement.

• Transit

  Transit Visa / Transit eVisa

  Up to 7 days during transit regardless of visa validity; cannot be extended and does not permit work or formal study.

  Insurance

  Recommended. Not required for transit; short-term travel cover advised.

  Good for

  Travellers passing through Botswana who need to leave the airport; not required if you continue on the same aircraft from the same airport.

  Requirement

  Valid passport (6+ months), confirmed onward/return ticket, proof of accommodation or itinerary, 2 photos and fee; eVisa typically processed in about 24-72 hours.

Botswana sets entry length per traveller at the discretion of immigration officers and does not publish a general visitor health-insurance mandate; always confirm fees, durations and document lists with the Department of Immigration before travel. Last checked: 2026-06.

Last verified June 2026

Australia → Botswana: frequently asked

Do Australia passport holders need a visa to visit Botswana?

Visa-free · up to 90 days. Enter without a visa, usually for a set number of days. Always confirm with the official source before booking.

Can a Australia passport holder live or work long-term in Botswana?

Yes, via a long-stay visa. Botswana has 7 documented visa types covering work, study, residence and — where it exists — digital-nomad routes.

Do I need travel insurance for Botswana?

Entry to Botswana never includes health cover, so travel medical insurance is strongly recommended. Several Botswana visas also require proof of insurance before they're granted.