Contains customs regulations and contact details of the customs office of that country. In November 2021, the Botswana Court of Appeal decided to formally decriminalize consensual same-sex sexual activity. There are no police reports of persons suspected of engaging in same-sex sexual activity. There is stigma and discrimination against LGBTQI+ people, especially in villages and rural areas outside the capital. LGBTQI+ travelers should exercise caution when it comes to public expressions of affection. The Botswana Laws website is designed in such a way that any Botswana regulations on the Internet can be easily searched both chronologically and alphabetically with commented changes. Three or more unused pages; one blank page per entry A passport with a validity of at least six months is required. U.S. citizens are allowed to stay for up to 90 days in total over a 12-month period without a visa. The total stay allowed for each visit is indicated on the entry stamp by Botswana immigration officers and may be less than 90 days. Travelers attempting to enter Botswana with a temporary passport must have a visa to enter Botswana. Visas cannot be obtained upon arrival in Botswana, and U.S.
citizens without a visa in a temporary passport face fines and lengthy administrative delays. It is advisable to take a number of photocopies of your passport with you when travelling to Botswana and you must have a photocopy of your passport with you at all times during your stay. For more information on entry requirements and the latest visa information, please contact the Embassy of the Republic of Botswana, 1531-1533 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, D.C. 20036, Telephone (202) 244-4990/1, Fax (202) 244-4164 or the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Botswana to the United Nations, 103 E. 37th St., New York, N.Y., 10016, Telephone (212) 889-2277 and Fax (212) 725-5061. There are also honorary consuls in Los Angeles, San Francisco and Houston. Travelers are advised to have a photocopy of the photo/bioinformation page of their passport and keep it in a separate place from their passport. Visit the website of the Embassy of Botswana for the latest visa information.
Subscribers to the website have access to the Clean Acts and Regulations and the amended commented acts and their regulations. If you plan to drive in Botswana, you need to be extremely careful. Botswana has good paved roads over most of the country, but be careful when driving off-road. *Entry into Botswana: Air traffic to and from Sir Seretse Khama International Airport in Gaborone, Maun International Airport, Kasane International Airport and G. Matante International Airport in Francistown has resumed. CRIME: Non-conflict crimes and occasional crimes, especially theft of money and personal property, are common. Home invasions, burglaries, “broken and scratching” of vehicles at intersections and locked cars in mall parking lots, cell phone thefts, and thefts – often with a knife – are regularly reported to police. Hotels and lodges are not immune to criminal activity. Visitors should remain vigilant and take reasonable precautions to protect their personal belongings (especially money and electronic devices). Crime is also reported in wildlife parks, nature reserves and remote areas frequented by tourists.
Check that you have adequate insurance and read the fine print of the rental agreement (especially the waiver that comes into effect if the vehicle is damaged). If you rent a vehicle, we recommend that you do not hand over your passport as a security deposit. If you allow your passport to be photographed, always keep it in mind. For emergency services in Botswana, dial 999 for police, 998 for firefighters and 992 for ambulances (MRT). Please note that for those who are not fully vaccinated, vaccination will be carried out at all ports of entry You must have identification with you at all times. A photocopy of your passport is sufficient. Please also check the State Department website regarding the types of documents that can and cannot be authenticated by the U.S. Embassy. *Accommodation: Many hotels and other accommodation establishments are open. FCDO recommends that you contact your accommodation provider before booking to confirm the applicable restrictions. Wearing a face covering is mandatory in hotels and other accommodations.
When you enter the premises, you must also have your temperature measured and provide your name and contact information. Travellers arriving in Botswana via South Africa should be aware of the serious and persistent problems associated with baggage theft at OR Tambo (Johannesburg) and Cape Town international airports. It is recommended that you: Original or certified copies of birth and marriage certificates are required for residency applications, according to the botswana Ministry of Labour and Home Affairs website. U.S. citizens applying for residency in Botswana should have their birth and marriage certificates apostilled by the United States.