Botswana - Apply for a Short term Journalists Visa

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Procedure

Apply In Person

1. Persons whose nationalities require a visa to enter Botswana for media coverage reasons (Journalist), will be required to apply for a Visitor’s Visa as Botswana does not issue “Journalist Visa”.
2. The Visa application shall be made to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship, Headquarter, or the nearest Regional/District Immigration Offices which is under the Ministry of Nationality, Immigration and Gender Affairs (For Botswana Application) or the nearest Botswana Mission Abroad (For overseas application Ministry Office Location & Contact Details and Botswana Mission Abroad (Embassy/ Consulates) Office Location & Contact Details
3. The application shall be made in writing using a prescribed application form-Visa Application Form 1, forms are available for free at the Enquiries Desk at any of the immigration offices or the Botswana Embassy/ Consulate abroad or directly download the form using this Visa Application Form 1
4. Upon obtaining the application form, the applicant should legibly complete the form, attach all relevant supporting documentation as listed under the “Required Documents” section of this page and submit the complete application file to the nearest Immigration Office, Visa Application service section, or Embassy/ Consulate Office, for processing and consideration. Any omission of the required documents or information will render the application process incomplete.
5. The application shall be accompanied by an applicable visa entry fee. Please refer to the “Fees” Section of this page for more information regarding the fees. All fee payments should be made as per the Authority's preferable payment mode.
6. On submission of the application file, the receiving officer will check for discrepancies or ineligibility in the application documents. If a discrepancy that cannot be immediately corrected exists in any of the documents, the application and all the submitted documents will be returned to the applicant and should not be re-submitted until the discrepancy has been rectified.
7. It is only after the deposit of the complete file and the payment of the required fee, that the application file will be registered and recorded and applicants will be issued with an acknowledgment letter containing details of their application.
8. The completed application file is then submitted to an authorized officer (via designated channels) where the application is reviewed and a recommendation made between 07-14 working days.
9. Upon a successful document, the evaluation phase has been completed, an approval/rejection letter is sent to the office where the application was made.
10. After the lapse of the processing time, applicants should check the outcome of their application from the office where the application was submitted and present their passport and identification document to be validated by the immigration officer.
11. If the Visa application is approved, it will be printed at that office where the application was made and affixed on the client's passport or if not printed the applicant can travel with the approval letter as proof of a Visa to Botswana and the Visa will be printed at the Airport/Immigration Ports of Entry.

Apply Online

1. Applicants should browse the site e-Visa Botswana portal.
2. Hover the mouse cursor over the “Apply Now” tab towards the top right of the Home page and click on it.
3. This will navigate the applicant to the Registration page, Populate all the available fields, under “Type of Visa Required” select “Visitors”, check to Accept Terms and Conditions, and then click on the “Continue” tab.
4. Click on the “Payment” tab, this will navigate the applicant to the payment page and cause an invoice for payment of the Visa application fees to be generated.
5. On the invoice page click on the “Pay Now” button, the applicant will be transferred to the Payment System to pay for the application.
6. Proceed to make the payment using the instructions given online. The Payment instructions will be generated and displayed automatically in the portal.
7. Complete the visa application process, upload all supporting documentation on the site before clicking on the “Submit” button.
8. Upon successful submission of the application, the applicant will receive a confirmation mail.
9. After a successful document evaluation phase, an approval/rejection letter is sent to the applicant's email address.
10. If the Visa application is approved, the approval letter should be printed and the applicant can use the approval letter as proof of a visa to travel to Botswana.
11. Upon entry to Botswana present the approval letter and valid passport to be validated by the immigration officer at the Airport/Immigration Ports of Entry, who shall then print the visa and affix it to the client visa.

Please Note:

• For abroad application, clients who want the visa approval/rejection letter sent to them by post are advised to attach one of the following to their request(s):
  • A registered self-addressed envelope with the appropriate stamps (letter recommendée);
  • A pre-paid envelope from any recognized courier service provider.
• It should be noted, not all embassies offer the post/mail return service (please consult with the embassy)
• Applicants can file their application via mail, in some embassies, please confirm with the nearest embassy, and if they offer this service since not all embassies offer the service.

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Required Documents

General Requirements for Visa Application

• Dully completed, Visa Application Form 1
• Certified (notarized) copy of passport page of the applicant (showing names, validity & photograph of bearer)
• Cover letter from the applicant
• If the applicant previously applied for a visa, Please Attach the Copy of the Visa Outcome.
• If coming by road, specify on the cover letter and include your contacts, e.g. telephone number.
• Travel schedule/flight itinerary/hotel bookings
• Include a prepaid/self-addressed shipping label or envelope to return your passport
• The passport must have a validity of six months and more with three or more unused pages.
• Applicants who would not be collecting their visa (endorsed in the passport) should write a letter authorizing someone to collect their visa and passport. The letter should include full names, ID or passport numbers, and contact numbers.

NEW REQUIREMENTS FOR MINORS TRAVELLING THROUGH ALL BOTSWANA POINTS OF ENTRY

• Minors traveling through the country's borders will be required to produce certified copies of unabridged birth certificates
• In the event that one parent is not traveling with the child, the other parent's affidavit consenting to such travel should be availed. Temporary guardianship must be given if both parents are not traveling with the minor, as well as the abovementioned requirements. However, an affidavit will not be required if the father's name does not appear on the child's birth certificate.

Additional Requirements for Visitors Visa

• Invitation letter from the host
• A sworn statement from the host (personal appearance of the host to the nearest immigration office in Botswana to fill in the affidavit)
• A copy of hotel/lodge bookings or state residential address where the applicant will be staying
• A certified copy of the host, national identity/residence permit, work permit/exemption certificate/naturalization certificate
• Copies of certified marriage and birth certificates (in case of married couples/defendants)
• Certified copies of ordination certificates of religious leaders
• Business profile if coming to establish a business (host)
• Confirmation of employment or business registration
• Recent Bank statement (1st page)
• Return visa or residence permit from the country of residence

Please note: The immigration/embassy office reserves the right to request for additional document/s as applicable

Office Locations & Contacts

Department of Immigration and Citizenship
(Ministry of Nationality, Immigration, and Gender Affairs)
Departmental HQ
Address: Government Enclave, Block 8, Khama Crescent
P. O. Box 942
Gaborone
Botswana
Tel. (+267) 361 1373/ (+267) 361 1375
Toll-Free. 0800 600 777

Regional Immigration Offices

• South Central Region (Block 8 Universal House) (+267) 3909996
  
• South East Region (Loapi House) (+267) 3952591
  
• Lobatse Immigration Region (+267) 5330247
  
• Francistown Immigration Region (+267) 2414204
  
• Serowe Immigration Region (+267) 4632519
  
• Selibe-Phikwe Immigration Region (+267) 2611677
  
• Tsabong Immigration Region (+267) 6540225
  
• Maun Immigration Region (+267) 6860369
  
• Kasane Immigration Region (+267) 6250252
  

District Immigration Offices

• Mochudi District Immigration Office (+267) 5777285
  
• Molepolole District Immigration Office (+267) 5920339
  
• Ramotswa District Immigration Office(+267) 5391527
  
• Tutume District Immigration Officer (+267) 2987459
  
• Masunga District Immigration Office (+267) 2489272
  
• Sowa Pan District Immigration Office (+267) 6213435
  
• Palapye District Immigration Office (+267) 4920377
  
• Mahalapye District Immigration Office (+267) 4710484
  
• Orapa District Immigration Office (+267) 2970211
  
• Letlhakane District Immigration Office (+267) 2978308
  
• Sefhare District Immigration Office (+267) 4948096
  
• Kanye District Immigration Office (+267) 5440656
  
• Jwaneng District Immigration Office (+267) 5880348
  
• Gantsi District Immigration Office (+267) 6596233
  
• Hukuntsi District Immigration Office (+267) 6510202
  
• Bobonong District Immigration Office (+267) 2619249
  
• Gumane District Immigration Office (+267) 6874674
  

Ministry of Nationality, Immigration, and Gender Affairs Office location & Contact Details
Botswana Mission Abroad (Embassy/ Consulates) Office Location & Contact Details
Opening hours: 7:30 to 12:45, and 13:45 to 16:30, Monday to Friday, except no public holidays.

Eligibility

• This visa is issued to persons whose nationalities require a visa to enter Botswana for social reasons e.g journalists.
• A list of countries that require a visa to enter Botswana can be accessed Here

Fees

The costs associated with this service are as follows:

• Single entry for a period up to 3 months BWP 300.00 (US$30)
• Multiple entries for a period of up to 3 months BWP 500.00 (US$50)
• Multiple entries for up to over three months up to 2 years for dependents of residents BWP 1 500.00 (US$150)

Validity

• Single entry for a period of up to 3 months.
• Multiple entries for a period of up to 3 months.
• Multiple entries for up to over three months up to 2 years for dependents of residents.

Documents to Use

Visa Application Form 1

Sample Documents

Please attach sample completed documents that would help other people.

Processing Time

• It takes seven (7) to fourteen (14) days after the date of application for the service to be completed.

Related Videos

Videos explaining the procedure or to fill the applications.
Attach videos using the following tag <&video type='website'>video ID|width|height<&/video&> from external websites.
Please remove the '&' inside the tags during implementation.
Website = allocine, blip, dailymotion, facebook, gametrailers, googlevideo, html5, metacafe, myspace, revver,
sevenload, viddler, vimeo, youku, youtube
width = 560, height = 340, Video ID = Can be obtained from the URL of webpage where the video is dkisplayed.
e.g In the following url 'http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0US7oR_t3M' Video ID is 'Y0US7oR_t3M'.

Instructions

Important Notes;

• The Visa fee is non-refundable.
• For abroad applications, applicants are advised to submit their application file at least 21 working days for visa processing.
• Personal checks are not accepted.
• All copies must be notarized.
• The original passport may be sent at the same time as the application or once the visa is approved
• All supporting documents must be in English. Translations must be notarized by a relevant authority.
• No visa fee is charged for Diplomatic Passport and the United Nations Laissez-Passer holder traveling on official business
• International Health certificate of vaccination for Yellow fever is required from travelers from or through the countries which have been declared Yellow Fever Infected Areas.
• Malaria shots are advised before arriving in Botswana.
• A foreigner who has permits but decides to stay outside the country for more than six months is required to apply for a visa when they come back to Botswana.

Required Information

• Full name of the applicant
• Contact details (abroad/in Botswana)
• Residential details (abroad/in Botswana)
• Birth certificate details
• Nationality
• Type of visa required
• Number of entries
• Occupation /qualification
• Reasons for the visa request
• State the Validity period of the visa you wish to request?
• Preferred mode of communication of the visa application outcome
• Declaration by the applicant

Need for the Document

The visitor's visa is issued to persons whose nationalities require a visa to enter Botswana for social reasons such as:

• Visiting friends or relatives.
• Obtaining medical treatment.
• Participation in social events hosted by fraternal, social, or service organizations.
• Participation by amateurs in musical, sports, or similar events or contests, if not being paid for participating.
• Enrolment in a short recreational course of study, not for credit toward a degree (for example, a two-day cooking class while on vacation).

Information which might help

• For the Visitors Visa to remain valid, the applicant must not work for, provide services or sell goods to businesses or the public in Botswana. The visa is valid for up to 2 years for dependents of the resident.

Other uses of the Document/Certificate

Please explain what are other uses for obtaining this document/certificate.
e.g. Birth Certificate can be used as proof of identity.

External Links

Visitors Visa Application

Others

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT DIFFERENT TYPES OF VISA
BUSINESS VISA
The business visa is issued for prospective investors, entrepreneurs, or traders to visit and explore business opportunities in Botswana. Business activities may include consulting with business associates; attending scientific, educational, professional, or business conventions or conferences; settling estates; and negotiating contracts. It shall be issued for up to one year and cannot be extended.
EMPLOYMENT VISA
The employment visa is issued to individuals who wish to travel to Botswana for purposes of employment, internship, research, work, or voluntary services. This visa is issued with a validity period of six months and is extendable with justification.
INVESTMENT VISA
This visa is issued to business people who regularly visit Botswana as directors of companies based in the country. It is also issued to individuals who have investment projects in Botswana. The visa authorizes the holder to enter Botswana for investment purposes for a period of up to five (5) years.
STUDY VISA
A study visa is issued to students who have been accepted by educational institutions in Botswana. The visa is issued for up to three months and is extendable with justification
TOURIST VISA
This visa is issued to people who intend to visit Botswana for recreational purposes, or for other short-term non-work-related purposes. This visa allows entry into Botswana for up to one (1) month and is extendable on justification. The applicant must not engage in any employment while on a tourism visa, or else the visa will be rendered invalid.
TRANSIT VISA
This visa is for those who want to leave the airport for a maximum of seven days while in transit. A transit visa is not required if you fly out on the same aircraft and from the same airport at which you arrived. Transporters and tour operators may be allowed a maximum of 7 days' stay in the country at any given time. This visa does not allow you to work or undertake formal studies or training in Botswana. It cannot be extended for any reason.
SERVICE/DIPLOMATIC VISA
The Department of Protocol and Consular Services in the Ministry of International Affairs and Cooperation provides assistance to Public Officers traveling abroad on official duties.

NOTE: Please refer to the Wikiprocedure website for the full procedure details for the different visa types awarded in Botswana.