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Botswana

BWA

Botswana stands out as one of Africa's most stable democracies and best-governed economies, transformed since independence by its vast diamond reserves into a middle-income nation with solid institutions. The country maintains low corruption levels by regional standards, a freely convertible currency, and consistent GDP growth. Its sparse population of around 2.6 million is spread across a largely arid landscape dominated by the Kalahari Desert and the wildlife-rich Okavango Delta.

Gaborone offers a clean, low-crime capital environment with improving infrastructure. Naturalisation is lengthy at ten years, dual citizenship is not permitted, and there is no dedicated residency-by-investment programme, making Botswana primarily attractive to skilled workers, regional business operators, and conservation-sector professionals rather than lifestyle migrants seeking fast second-residency routes.

Naturalisation
10 years
Tax system
Residence Based
Currency
Botswana Pula (BWP)
Dual citizenship
Not allowed
Capital
Gaborone
Region
africa
Population
2,630,000
Cost-of-living
34 /100

Passport Rank

#76

Visa-Free

83

destinations

Visa-free travel

A Botswana passport has visa-free access to 71 destinations. See the full Botswanapassport breakdown →

Passports that enter Botswana without a prior visa (102)

Visa-free, visa on arrival, or on an eTA.

Community-sourced (passport-index, synced 2026-08-18) — verify with the embassy before travel.

Country Details

Capital
Gaborone
Currency
Botswana Pula (BWP)
Languages
Setswana, English
Population
2,630,000
Tax System
Residence Based
Dual Citizenship
Not allowed
Naturalisation
10 years
Schengen / EU
No
Climate
Semi-arid / Savanna
English Proficiency Rank
#55

Indices

Cost of Living

34

Safety

51

Healthcare

40

Quality of Life

110

Tax Summary

Tax System
Residence Based
Territorial Taxation
No — worldwide income taxed for residents
Naturalisation
10 years of legal residency
Dual Citizenship
Not allowed

Cost of Living by City

← scroll the table →

Monthly cost of living per major city in USD: rent, groceries, utilities, transit pass
CityRent 1BR centreRent outsideGroceriesUtilitiesTransit pass
Gaborone$28
Francistown$22
Maun$18

Monthly USD figures. Typical central 1-bedroom rent, grocery basket for one, household utilities, monthly transit pass.

Climate

Gaborone

26°J
25°F
23°M
20°A
16°M
13°J
13°J
17°A
21°S
24°O
25°N
26°D

Rainfall range: 095 mm/month · Daylight 10.5h (winter) to 13.6h (summer)

Visa Categories & Immigration Authority

Major Visa Categories

  • Tourist
  • Work Permit
  • Investor
  • Student
  • Family
  • Residence Permit
Authority
Department of Immigration and Citizenship
Official Portal
www.gov.bw/ministries/immigration-and-citizenship
Phone
+267 368 1100
Email
immigration@gov.bw

Naturalisation Details

Residence Years
Language Test
Yes (level n/a)
Civic Test
No
Oath Required
No
Dual Allowed
No
Fee
$200
Processing
~18 months

Safety

GPI Rank

#34

Global Peace Index ranking (lower is safer)

Common Risks

  • Overcharging minibus taxis for foreigners
  • Fake charity collectors in Gaborone CBD
  • Wildlife tour deposit scams targeting tourists in Maun

Related Guides

Related on The Citizenship Desk

Sources & last verified

  • Last verified