After a short suspension at the end of April 2025, Botswana’s electronic visa application system (eVisa) is back online. The Department of Immigration and Citizenship has reopened the platform, allowing eligible travellers to apply for visas online instead of visiting embassies and immigration offices.
The move restores convenience for international tourists and business visitors planning trips to the southern African nation.
Who can apply for Botswana’s online eVisa?
Botswana’s eVisa portal serves citizens from dozens of countries that require a visa to enter the country. This includes applicants from nations across Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas. Travelers from visa-exempt countries, such as the US, UK, Canada, and most of the EU, don’t need an eVisa for short tourist or business visits.
The platform supports several visa categories, including tourist, business, work, transit, investor, student, and diplomatic visas. To apply for a tourist visa, users must upload a valid passport (with at least six months’ validity), a passport-sized photo, confirmed travel plans, and hotel bookings. Payment is made online using VISA or MasterCard.
Applicants must also pay the relevant visa fee during the online process. A single-entry tourist visa, valid for one month, costs 300 Botswana Pulas (approximately $23), while a multiple-entry visa valid for three months is priced at 500 Pulas (about $38).
System suspension and what’s changed
The system had gone offline abruptly in late April without official notice, halting new applications and forcing applicants to use embassies or in-person immigration channels. The disruption led to uncertainty for travelers, especially those preparing for upcoming trips.
Now fully restored, the eVisa system offers the same end-to-end online process it was initially praised for when launched in August 2021. Applicants can once again fill out forms, upload supporting documents, and receive electronic visas directly in their inbox without needing to visit a government office physically.
This digital-first approach is part of Botswana’s broader effort to modernise public services and enhance the ease of doing business and tourism. By embracing GovTech solutions like the eVisa system, the country aims to streamline travel while reducing processing delays.
With the electronic visa application portal now fully operational, Botswana is ready to welcome tourists, business travelers, and investors eager to explore its wildlife-rich landscapes and growing economy.
