Southern Africa > Botswana > Governments: Customs and Visa Information

Entry/Exit Requirements: A passport with at least six months of validity remaining is required. U.S. citizens are permitted stays up to 90 days without a visa. For additional information on entry requirements, travelers may contact the Embassy of the Republic of Botswana, 1531-1533 New Hampshire Avenue ... Read this Article

Botswana representation in the U.S.A.

chief of mission: Ambassador Lapologang Caesar LEKOA
chancery: 1531-1533 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036
telephone: [1] (202) 244-4990
FAX: [1] (202) 244-4164

Website: Embassy of Botswana

U.S.A. representation in Botswana

chief of mission: Ambassador Stephen J. NOLAN
embassy: Embassy Enclave (off Khama Crescent), Gaborone
mailing address: Embassy Enclave, P. O. Box 90, Gaborone
telephone: [267] 395-3982
FAX: [267] 395-6947

Website: Botswana: Gaborone

Passport Information and Travel Registration

The Passport Services Office provides information and services to American citizens about how to obtain, replace or change a passport.

This site will allow you to find the nearest location to apply for a passport. It is provided by the Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs

The IATA (International Air Transport Association) provides reliable information on passport and visa requirements for personal and business travel to Botswana. Click here to Start.

Botswana at a Glance

Official Country Name: conventional long form: Republic of Botswana
conventional short form: Botswana
local long form: Republic of Botswana
local short form: Botswana
former: Bechuanaland

Government Type: parliamentary republic

Administrative Divisions: 9 districts and 5 town councils*; Central, Francistown*, Gaborone*, Ghanzi, Jwaneng*, Kgalagadi, Kgatleng, Kweneng, Lobatse*, Northeast, Northwest, Selebi-Pikwe*, Southeast, Southern

Independence: 30 September 1966 (from UK)

National Holiday: Independence Day (Botswana Day), 30 September (1966)

Constitution: March 1965, effective 30 September 1966

Legal System: based on Roman-Dutch law and local customary law; judicial review limited to matters of interpretation; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations

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Snippets of Interest for Botswana

!	The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to the local police and the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

Registration / Embassy Location: Americans living or traveling in Botswana are encouraged to register with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate through the State Department’s travel registration web site so that they can obtain updated information on travel and security within Botswana. Americans withoutInternet access may register directly ... Read this Article

Special Circumstances: Since February 2008, rolling electric power outages have left many areas without power for several hours each week. This situation is likely to continue. Visitors are urged to carry flashlights. American citizens are also urged to be aware of how power outages might affect home ... Read this Article

Criminal Penalties: While in a foreign country, a U.S. citizen is subject to that country's laws and regulations, which sometimes differ significantly from those in the United States and may not afford the protections available to the individual under U.S. law. Penalties for breaking the law ... Read this Article

Government Type: Republic, parliamentary democracy. Independence: September 30, 1966. Constitution: March 1965. Branches: Executive--president (chief of state and head of Government), cabinet. Legislative--popularly elected National Assembly; advisory House of Chiefs. Judicial--High Court, Court of Appeal, local and customary courts, industrial labor court. Administrative subdivisions: Five town councils and nine district councils. Major political ... Read this Article

Government and Political Conditions Botswana has a flourishing multiparty constitutional democracy. Each of the elections since independence has been freely and fairly contested and has been held on schedule. The country's minority groups participate freely in the political process. There are three main parties and a number of smaller parties. ... Read this Article

Intercountry Adoption For information on how to proceed with an adoption, please visit the the Department of State�s Bureau of Consular Affairs, Overseas Citizens Services.

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