An applicant who intends to apply for a certificate of naturalization as a foreign spouse must submit a declaration of intent form in accordance with the requirements of the Nationality Act.
Who is eligible to apply?
The applicant must be a non-citizen who is married to a Botswana citizen and must have lived in Botswana for at least two and a half years.
What supporting documents are required?
- Two passport size color photos;
- A certified copy of the valid national identity card of the husband/wife;
- A certified copy of a valid residence permit;
- A certified copy of the marriage certificate.
How long will this service take?
About one month.
This service provides applicants with the opportunity to obtain the status of a permanent resident.
Who has the right to this?
- Non-citizens who meet the following criteria are eligible to receive this service;
- Legally reside in Botswana continuously for at least 5 years;
- Have a good character;
- Made a significant contribution to the development of Botswana;
- Take a dignified position in society;
- Have enough funds to support themselves and dependents.
What supporting documents are required?
Requirements applied to everyone
- Cover letter from the applicant;
- Two copies of a valid certified passport;
- Two recent color passport size photographs per applicant;
- Certified marriage certificate, if applicable.
For Immigrants/Dependents/Missionaries
- Letter of support from sponsor/spouse/mission;
- Proof of livelihood in Botswana;
- Bank account statement for the last month.
Workers
- Biographical reference;
- Certified diplomas of higher education;
- Letter of recommendation from the employer;
- Letter with a job offer from the employer.
Investors
- The employee's salary sheet, which indicates the duration of the employees' employment;
- Certified copies of identity cards for citizen employees;
- Submit valid and certified copies of the following documents;
- Evaluation of the value of shares;
- Certificate of shares;
- Certificate of registration;
- Form 2 – List of directors;
- Financial reports for the current year;
- Ownership certificate/rental agreement for premises (premises);
- Trade license;
- Tax declaration for the last year.
How long will this service take?
This service takes six months.
A certificate of naturalization can be issued to investors, workers, students, immigrants and dependents to give them the same rights as all Botswana citizens.
Who is eligible to receive a certificate?
All foreigners who have resided in Botswana for a total of at least ten years and have resided in Botswana continuously for the twelve months immediately preceding the date of application.
What supporting documents are required?
- Completed naturalization certificate (form L);
- Two recent color passport size photographs;
- Two certified copies of a valid Botswana residence permit;
- Completed set of police report forms;
- A certified copy of the birth certificate;
- Certified copy of marriage certificate and copy of spouse's citizenship (if applicable);
- Certified copies of the applicant's education documents (if married, also provide the spouse's education documents);
- Copy of biographical certificate.
Additional requirements for the student
- Letter of enrollment from the educational institution;
- Confirmation of tuition payment.
Additional requirements for dependents and immigrants
- Confirmation of parents' citizenship status.
Additional requirements for employees
- The value of the proper property;
- Employment contract.
Additional requirements for investors
Persons engaged in entrepreneurial activity must note:
- Business name;
- Location of business;
- Services provided;
- Number of employed employees;
- Number of outstanding shares;
- The value of the property or a copy of the lease agreement;
- Type of trade license available;
- Tax declaration for the last year.
How long will this service take?
About one year.
Naturalization of foreign spouses
A person who qualifies for naturalization as a foreign spouse can apply for a Certificate of Naturalization and become a citizen of Botswana.
Who has the right to this?
All foreigners who are married to Botswana citizens and have lived in Botswana for at least five years.
How to get this service?
In order to receive this service, applicants must complete the following steps.
Complete and submit the "Statement of Intent to Apply for Naturalization Certificate by Alien Husband" form and submit it to any immigration office along with the required documents and fees listed at the link: https://www.gov.bw/citizenship/citizenship-application-naturalization-foreign-spouse.
What supporting documents are required?
- Two recent color passport size photographs.
- Completed police report form.
- A certified copy of a valid residence permit.
- A certified copy of the marriage certificate.
- Certified copy of valid national identity card of husband/wife (Omang).
- Letter about coming of age.
- A certified copy of a valid passport.
How long will this service take?
About one year.
Application for registration as a citizen of Botswana in the name of His Majesty
The President of Botswana can order the registration of a foreign national as a citizen of Botswana on special grounds.
Who has the right to this?
A person who is otherwise ineligible or ineligible to acquire Botswana citizenship and in respect of whom there are special circumstances which, in the opinion of the President, justify such registration.
The government of Botswana welcomes foreign investors in various areas, including the real estate market. The government actively seeks foreign investment and is willing to sell land or real estate to foreigners. Only tribal lands and state lands cannot be sold to foreigners.
Foreign applicants can obtain a residence permit through investment in Botswana after a minimum investment of BWP 1 million (about 82,000 Euros/ 93,000 American dollars). Resident investors can also apply for a Tax Exemption Certificate (TCC).
The Botswana Residency by Investment immigration process takes between 1 and 3 months. In our experience, the ideal investment amount to get enough points during the process starts at one million Botswana Pula (approximately 83,000 Euros or 93,000 American dollars, depending on the daily exchange rate). The reason is simple, one million BWP guarantees a maximum of 20 points for an applicant during the immigration scoring process.
An investment visa is issued to business people who regularly visit Botswana as directors of companies located in the country. It is also issued to individuals who have investment projects in Botswana. The visa entitles you to enter Botswana for investment purposes for up to five (5) years.
Who is eligible for an investment visa?
All foreigners who need a visa to enter Botswana are eligible for this service.
What supporting documents are required?
Along with the application form, the following documents must be submitted:
- A certified copy of pages 1 and 2 of a passport with a validity period of at least six months;
- Two recent color passport size photos;
- A cover letter indicating the reasons for the visit;
- Flight route and accommodation reservation or residential address in Botswana;
- Re-entry permit to the country where the applicant normally resides, if such a permit is required in that country;
- Company registration certificate;
- Certificate of shares;
- Trade license;
- Schedule of meetings or activities to be held during the visit;
- Statements from bank accounts (in other countries) and personal bank accounts.
How long will this service take?
This will take seven (7) to fourteen (14) days.