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Botswana

Nationality · visas, permits and migration

Moved to OECD countries, 2023
319
Top destination, 2023
Japan
U.S. non-immigrant visas, FY2025
1,528
UK visas issued, 2025
673
Schengen visa refusal rate, 2024
16.2%
NationalityBWISO 3166
Year by year
Data as at 2025
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Visa requirements for a short visit

Whether citizens of Botswana need a visa for a short tourist or business visit, according to the legal lists. Rules change; check the official source before travelling.

DestinationShort visitLegal basis
Schengen areaVisa requiredRegulation (EU) 2018/1806 (consolidated 30.12.2025)
United KingdomVisa requiredImmigration Rules, Appendix Visitor / ETA National List
CanadaTemporary resident visa requiredIRPR s. 190, Schedule 1.1
Hong KongNo visa for visits of up to 90 daysImmigration Department (HKSAR), visit visa requirements, 31.12.2025
Source: Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 (consolidated 30 Dec 2025); UK Immigration Rules, Appendix Visitor and ETA National List; Canada IRPR s. 190 and Schedule 1.1; Immigration Department (HKSAR), visit visa requirements as at 31 Dec 2025Data as at Oct 2026

Where people from Botswana move

Inflows of foreign nationals by country of nationality, as recorded by each destination (OECD).

Inflows to OECD countries, 2023
  1. Japan71
  2. Germany44
  3. Canada40
  4. United States40
  5. Australia39
  6. New Zealand15
  7. Hungary13
  8. South Korea9
  9. Netherlands8
  10. Austria8
  11. Denmark7
  12. Belgium5
  13. Italy4
  14. France4
  15. Sweden4

Inflows to all OECD countries by year

6751,349200020032006200920122015201820212023
6751,3492000200420082012201620202023
Data table
2000531
200179
2002149
2003112
2004134
2005145
2006236
2007218
2008249
2009219
2010321
2011347
20121,349
2013379
2014369
2015328
2016299
2017361
2018289
2019294
2020173
2021237
2022259
2023319
Share going to the top destination
22.3%
Destinations recording arrivals
15
Source: OECD, International Migration Database (OECD.ELS.IMD), accessed 24 Oct 2026Data as at 2023

Living abroad

People born in Botswana who live in another country: mid-year estimates of the international migrant stock (UN DESA). Where a destination records citizenship rather than country of birth, its foreign citizens are counted.

Largest destinations, 2024
  1. South Africa8,004
  2. Zimbabwe3,985
  3. Australia1,736
  4. Zambia1,498
  5. Namibia731
  6. Lesotho247
  7. Tanzania136
  8. Norway131
  9. Denmark79
  10. Guinea44
  11. Eswatini39
  12. Bulgaria36

Living abroad by year

12k24k19901995200020052010201520202024
12k24k19902000201020202024
Data table
199023,982
199517,487
200022,155
200522,158
201019,869
201518,161
202017,397
202416,731
Living abroad, 2024
16,731
Change since 2000
-24.5%
Share living in the largest destination, 2024
47.8%
Source: United Nations, DESA Population Division, International Migrant Stock 2024 (CC BY 3.0 IGO)Data as at 2024

United States

Visas issued to citizens of Botswana by U.S. consulates (fiscal years, October–September) and certified PERM labor certifications.

Non-immigrant visas by class, FY2025
  1. B1/B2895
  2. J1158
  3. A2136
  4. F181
  5. G274
  6. C1/D35
  7. A124
  8. G421
  9. Q119
  10. H1B14

Non-immigrant visas by fiscal year

9431,885201720182019202020212022202320242025
9431,88520172019202120232025
Data table
2017996
20181,438
20191,450
2020668
2021221
20221,423
20231,885
20241,852
20251,528
Immigrant visas by class, FY2025
  1. E35
  2. IR23
  3. IR13
  4. IB11
  5. E21
  6. F2A1
  7. EW1
  8. CR11
Immigrant visas, FY2025
16
Certified PERM labor certifications, FY2024 (latest year with citizenship)
4
Source: U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs, monthly visa issuances (public domain); U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC PERM disclosure data (public domain)Data as at FY2025

Green cards and U.S. citizenship

People born in Botswana who became U.S. lawful permanent residents (green cards) or U.S. citizens, and admissions of citizens of Botswana with an I-94 record (DHS, fiscal years).

Green cards by fiscal year

551102015201620172018201920202021202220232024
55110201520172019202120232024
Data table
201560
201680
2017110
201870
201960
202040
202160
202260
202350
202480
Green cards by class of admission, FY2024
  1. Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens50
  2. Employment-based preferences20
Temporary worker admissions (I-94), FY2024
  1. Specialty occupations (H-1B)60
  2. Spouses and children30
  3. Intracompany transferees (L-1)10
  4. Seasonal agricultural workers (H-2A)10
  5. Other temporary workers10
Green cards, FY2024 (born in Botswana)
80
Naturalizations, FY2024 (born in Botswana)
60
I-94 admissions, FY2024 (citizenship)
3,650
Source: U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Office of Homeland Security Statistics, Yearbook of Immigration Statistics 2024 (public domain)Data as at FY2024

United Kingdom

Entry clearance visas issued to nationals of Botswana (Home Office) and students with a permanent address in Botswana (HESA).

Visas issued by group, 2025
  1. Visitor279
  2. Study179
  3. Work152
  4. Family32
  5. Other31

Visas issued by year

466932201020122014201620182020202220242025
466932201020132016201920222025
Data table
2010394
2011320
2012379
2013301
2014252
2015280
2016250
2017258
2018311
2019336
2020197
2021321
2022658
2023932
2024685
2025673
Students at UK universities, 2024/25
430
Source: Home Office, Immigration system statistics (year ending June 2026), Open Government Licence v3.0Data as at 2025

Canada

Permits and invitations for citizens of Botswana, by year the permit took effect (IRCC).

YearTFWP workIMP workStudyPermanent residentsExpress Entry invitations
2025003500
2024052005
202302055300
20220535200
202101525355
202000451510
201901540455
201800355015
2017015506015
201602035550
201502040900
Source: IRCC, monthly open data (rounded to the nearest 5). Open Government Licence – CanadaData as at 2025

Australia

Temporary skilled visas (subclass 457 to 2018, then 482) granted to primary applicants who are citizens of Botswana, by financial year ending 30 June (Home Affairs).

Primary visas granted by financial year

16322005–062007–082009–102011–122013–142015–162017–182019–202021–222023–242025–26
16322005–062009–102013–142017–182021–222025–26
Data table
2005–0614
2006–0729
2007–0826
2008–0931
2009–1016
2010–1123
2011–1232
2012–1324
2013–146
2014–158
2015–169
2016–1712
2017–183
2018–195
2019–206
2020–214
2021–226
2022–2321
2023–2416
2024–2522
2025–2631
By stream, 2025–26
  1. Core Skills24
  2. Specialist Skills6
  3. Labour Agreement1
Granted, 2025–26
31
Share of all Australian grants, 2025–26
0.0%
Source: Department of Home Affairs (Australia), BP0014 Temporary Resident (skilled) visas granted, data locked at 30 Sep 2026 (data.gov.au, CC BY)Data as at 2025–26

Japan

Citizens of Botswana living in Japan at the end of each December, by status of residence (Immigration Services Agency of Japan). 2020 and 2021 were published only as database tables.

Foreign residents in Japan

44882012201420162018202220242025
44882012201420162018202220242025
Data table
201231
201327
201425
201538
201650
201743
201847
201959
202273
202377
202480
202588
By status of residence, December 2025
  1. Student37
  2. Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services16
  3. Instructor10
  4. Designated Activities8
  5. Permanent Resident6
  6. Long-Term Resident4
  7. Dependent2
  8. Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident1
  9. Researcher1
  10. Spouse or Child of Japanese National1
Residents, December 2025
88
In work-related statuses
29
Share in work-related statuses
33.0%
Students
37
Source: Immigration Services Agency of Japan, Statistics on Foreign Residents (在留外国人統計), Table 1, end of December (e-Stat; Government of Japan Standard Terms of Use 2.0)Data as at Dec 2025

Schengen visas in Botswana

Short-stay (C) visa applications at Schengen consulates located in Botswana, 2024. Applicants are mostly, but not only, its citizens.

Schengen stateApplicationsIssuedNot issuedRefusal rate
Germany1,6331,35726416.2%

Applications by year

1,5223,0432009201020112012201320142015201620172018201920202021202220232024
1,5223,043200920122015201820212024
Data table
20091,175
20101,903
20111,922
20122,132
20132,220
20142,569
20153,043
20162,230
20171,608
20181,655
20191,885
2020330
202174
20221,114
20231,884
20241,633
Refusal rate, 2024
16.2%
Refusal rate, 2019
2.3%
Source: European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs, visa statistics for consulates (CC BY 4.0)Data as at 2024

Residence permits in Europe

First residence permits issued to citizens of Botswana in EU and EFTA countries, 2025 (Eurostat).

First permits by reason
  1. Other reasons86
  2. Education83
  3. Work74
  4. Family31
First permits by country
  1. Ireland107
  2. Hungary30
  3. Germany19
  4. Portugal18
  5. Netherlands16
  6. Poland13
  7. France11
  8. Malta7
  9. Sweden7
  10. Slovakia7
  11. Bulgaria6
  12. Italy5
Work permits by type, 2025
  1. EU Blue Card4
  2. Highly skilled workers (national schemes)6
  3. Researchers5
  4. Other paid activities59
EU Blue Cards granted, 2024
4
Citizenships acquired in the EU, 2024
42
Students in EU/EFTA tertiary education, 2024
216
Refused entry at EU external borders, 2025
5
Valid residence permits, 31 Dec 2025
1,529
Long-term residence permits issued, 2025
20
Changed status into work, 2025
80
Source: Eurostat (migr_resfirst, migr_resbc11, migr_acq, educ_uoe_mobs02, migr_eirfs, migr_pop1ctz), CC BY 4.0Data as at 2024–2025

National statistics in Europe

Citizens of Botswana in the figures of national statistics offices: residence permits granted in Denmark, immigrations by grounds for settlement in Sweden and immigrants with a non-EU/EFTA nationality by migration motive in the Netherlands; Finland and Austria publish immigration and emigration by citizenship only.

CountryYearImmigrationEmigrationNet migration
Finland2025101
Austria2025422
Source: Danmarks Statistik, Statistikbanken VAN66 and VAN77M (CC BY 4.0); SCB (Statistics Sweden), Statistikdatabasen TAB1614 and TAB6670 (CC0); CBS (Statistics Netherlands), StatLine 84809NED (CC BY 4.0); Statistics Finland (Tilastokeskus), StatFin 11a8 (CC BY 4.0); Statistik Austria, OGD_bevwan020_AUSSENWAND_100 (CC BY 4.0)Data as at 2025

Foreign embassies and consulates in Botswana

Countries with an embassy or consulate in Botswana, as recorded in Wikidata.

CountryEmbassiesConsulates-generalConsulates
Australia——1
Brazil1——
China1——
France1——
Germany1——
Japan1——
Russia1——
Türkiye1——
Ukraine1——
Countries
9
Missions
9
Source: Wikidata (CC0)Data as at Oct 2026

Remittances

Money that migrants send home: personal remittances received by Botswana, in current US dollars (World Bank).

Remittances received by year, US$ million

831652000200320062009201220152018202120242025
83165200020052010201520202025
Data table
200019
200118
200219
200327
200479
2005118
2006104
200792
200847
200915
201022
201120
201218
201336
201446
201530
201625
201739
201844
201959
202044
202161
202262
202370
2024128
2025165
Remittances received, 2025
US$165 million
Share of GDP, 2025
0.8%
Average cost of sending US$200 to Botswana, 2023
8.4%
Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators (CC BY 4.0)Data as at 2025

Official data, not advice. Visa Atlas publishes figures from government registers and statistics. It does not assess eligibility or give immigration advice; for advice, consult a regulated adviser. Read more