Residence permit for spouses of citizens and dependants
Botswana's residence permit covers spouses of citizens and dependants (aged 18-25, and 65 and above) of citizens or permit holders. The application must be supported by the citizen spouse or by the person the dependant relies on.
1 entry rule for Botswana based on recent travel
These apply to people who were recently in certain countries. Sign in and add your trips to see whether any apply to you.
Yellow fever certificate needed after a stay in countries with risk of yellow fever transmission (WHO list)
Travellers aged 1 year and over arriving from a yellow fever risk country or having transited any airport in one need a valid yellow fever certificate.
WHO International Travel and Health, Annex 1: Countries with risk of yellow fever transmission and countries requiring proof of vaccination against yellow fever (18 Nov 2022, revised 3 Jan 2023) WHO ITH Country List: Vaccination requirements and WHO recommendations for international travellers, 2022 edition (18 Nov 2022, revised 3 Jan 2023) Checked October 19, 2026
Life in Botswana
Money
3
Currency
Botswanan Pula
BWP
Botswanan Pula
Cost of living
39
Price level · US = 100
World Bank price levels, 2025
Tax
5–27.5%
Income tax (national)
VAT 14%
2026/27 resident table (from 1 July 2026): 0% up to BWP 48,000, then 5/12.5/18.75/25%, and 27.5% above BWP 400,000.
Living
1
Happiness
#141 of 145 countries
World Happiness Report 2025
Your edge here Members
What gives you an edge here: passports, visas and permits you hold, work, study, language and family ties
Who it’s for
Foreign spouses of Botswana citizens, and adult dependants of citizens or residence permit holders.
Eligibility
Spouse of a citizenSpouse of a citizen
Certified marriage certificate, a letter of support from the spouse and a covering letter from the applicant.
DependantsDependants
Dependants aged 18-25 and 65 and above apply separately, with a letter from the supporter and a copy of the supporter's permit, certificate or Omang.
GuardianDependants with a guardian
If the dependant lives with a guardian, consent from the parents or a certified adoption or death certificate.
A sneak peek at what's inside
- Document checklistForm 15 and Form 3
- FeesResidence permit
- Steps to applyComplete Form 15 and Form 3
The full requirements are for members
Create an account and subscribe to see every requirement, the full document checklist, fees, steps, processing times and conditions, and how your profile compares.
- 8 documents
- 1 fee
- 3 steps
- Processing times and conditions
Places to visit in Botswana
Attractions picked for you, based on your profile and interests.
Finding places for you…
Official sources
Other routes to Botswana
- Visit & tourismTourism visa (for nationalities that need a visa) and 90-day visitor stay
- StudyResidence permit for students
- Work permitsWork Permit (Department of Labour) and Residence Permit
Family in other countries
- CanadaSponsorship of a spouse, common-law partner or conjugal partner
- SwitzerlandFamily reunification for non-EU/EFTA family members
- Côte d’IvoireResident card for a dependent spouse or child
- CameroonFamily accompaniment and family reunification
- CubaFamily visa (A-2) for relatives of Cuban citizens, and permanent residence application
- CyprusFamily reunification of family members of third-country nationals
