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Botswana Visa for Afghanistan Citizens 2026

e-Visa / eTA

Afghan citizens must obtain a Botswana e-visa online at gov.bw; Tourist visa USD 60, Business USD 100, processing typically 3–5 working days.

Guide last updated September 5, 2026. Always verify with official sources before travel.

What you need

  • Passport validity: Passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond date of entry; you should have at least 1 blank page for inspection.
  • Specific forms: There is no separate paper visa form for Botswana; use the online e-visa portal on https://www.gov.bw to apply.
  • Financial proof: Provide bank statements showing funds to cover your stay; recommended minimum equivalent to USD 100 per day of stay; supply statements for the last 3 months.
  • Accommodation and return ticket: Have confirmed hotel bookings or an invitation letter and a return or onward travel ticket.
  • Photo spec: Digital passport photo 35x45 mm (35 mm x 45 mm), white background, taken within last 6 months, with the face clearly visible; no sunglasses; high resolution.
  • Biometrics: Biometrics are not collected as part of the online e-visa application; immigration may collect biometrics on arrival.
  • Travel health insurance: Travel health insurance is recommended but not mandatory; ensure vaccination requirements are met for your origin country and transit, if any; yellow fever certificate is only required if you are coming from a yellow fever country.
  • Travel advisories: Check your government’s travel advisory and Botswana’s current entry conditions, as rules can change.

Visa types

  • Tourist visa (e-visa): Official name Tourist visa (e-visa); validity 90 days from date of issue; max stay up to 30 days per visit; single entry; fee USD 60 (about 660 BWP).
  • Business visa (e-visa): Official name Business visa (e-visa); validity 90 days; max stay up to 30 days per visit; single entry; fee USD 100 (about 1100 BWP).
  • Student visa: Official name Student visa; not issued via the e-visa portal; requires embassy/consulate submission and Botswana Department of Immigration for a long-term permit; fee varies and is not published for online application.
  • Work visa: Official name Work visa; not issued via the e-visa portal; requires work permit and embassy/consulate processing; fee varies.
  • Transit visa: Official name Transit visa (if applicable); not commonly issued via e-visa; consult the embassy for availability and fees.

How to apply online

  • How to apply online: Go to the Botswana e-visa portal on https://www.gov.bw and create your account or log in.
  • Steps: complete the online application form with personal and passport details, travel plans, upload supporting documents (passport data page, digital photo, hotel/invitation letter, return ticket, bank statements), pay the visa fee online, and submit.
  • Fees (local currency + USD): Tourist USD 60 (660 BWP); Business USD 100 (1100 BWP). The exact amount appears during your application.
  • Processing time: typically 3–5 working days; expedited processing (if offered) 1–2 days for an additional fee.
  • How approval arrives: the e-visa decision is sent by email; print the e-visa approval and carry a copy to show at border.

Fees & processing time

  • Visa fee: Tourist USD 60 (about 660 BWP); Business USD 100 (about 1100 BWP); Transit USD 25 (about 275 BWP) if offered via e-visa.
  • VFS/BLS service fee: Not applicable for online e-visa applications; only relevant if applying for a paper/sticker visa through a third-party center.
  • Total cost estimate: USD 60–100 depending on visa type; plus any express/priority fee if available.
  • Standard processing time: 3–5 working days; express/priority options may be available for 1–2 days at an extra cost (amount shown during application).
  • Express/priority option: Additional fee (varies, commonly around USD 20–30) for faster processing.

Tips for Afghanistan travelers

  • Apply well in advance: start the online e-visa application at least 2–3 weeks before departure to avoid delays.
  • Common rejection reasons (Afghanistan applicants): incomplete documentation; passport validity insufficient; name on documents mismatches; insufficient funds; low-quality or illegible photo; confusion in travel plans; security or background checks flagging; ensure consistency across all documents.
  • VFS/BLS vs direct embassy: For Botswana e-visas, apply directly through the official online portal (www.gov.bw); third-party agencies are not required and may add cost or delays.
  • Travel advisories: Check your own government's travel advisory for Afghanistan and Botswana; verify current entry rules as conditions can change.
  • Extension options: If you need a longer stay, you can apply for an extension of stay with the Botswana Department of Immigration before your e-visa expires; approvals are not guaranteed and fees apply; extensions are usually considered on a case-by-case basis.

Official links & resources

Always confirm requirements with government or embassy sources before applying.

This guide is for information only. Visa policies change without notice. Travel Visa Stack is not an immigration authority. Always verify with official government or embassy sources before making travel plans.