Residence permit for students
Foreign students in Botswana apply for a residence permit, with a sponsorship letter, an admission letter and proof of school fee payment. Applications go to Department of Immigration offices.
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
Non-citizens admitted to a programme of study in Botswana.
Eligibility
Admission
Admission letter stating the programme of study and the length of the course.
Support
A letter of support or sponsorship with all particulars, and a certified receipt for school fees.
Adults apply separately
People over 18 apply separately, supported by the person they will depend on in Botswana.
A sneak peek at what's inside
- Document checklistForm 15 and Form 3
- FeesResidence permit
- Steps to applyComplete the residence permit application form
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.
- 7 documents
- 1 fee
- 4 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
- Work permitsWork Permit (Department of Labour) and Residence Permit
- FamilyResidence permit for spouses of citizens and dependants
Study in other countries
- CanadaStudy permit
- SwitzerlandResidence permit for education or training
- CameroonLong stay visa for students and long-term trainees, then carte de séjour
- CyprusEntry permit and temporary residence permit for students
- CzechiaLong-term residence permit for studies
- GermanyVisa and residence permit for study
