Name of the Organization : Ministry of Labour & Home Affairs
Type of Facility : Citizenship Requirements & Processes
Country : Botswana
Official Website : https://www.gov.bw/
Citizenship Requirements & Processes
Citizenship is registration and naturalization of foreign nationals intending to acquire Botswana citizenship.
Related / Similar Service : Residence Permit Application Botswana
Types Of Citizenship In Botswana :
** Citizenship by settlement
** Dual citizenship
** Citizenship by descent
** Naturalisation
** Naturalisation of foreign spouse
** Registration of adopted child over three (3) years old
** Registration of minor child of a citizen
** President’s power to register citizens
** Declaration of intent
Who is eligible for the above mentioned services :
Citizenship By Settlement :
People who have settled in Botswana immediately before 30 September, 1966 and have lived ordinarily as members of particular tribe or community or have been customarily accepted as a member of a tribe or community qualify apply for the service.
Requirements :
** Two passport sized photos
** Certified copy of birth certificate or affidavit in lieu of birth certificate
** Personal declaration to establish nationality
** Certified copy of valid residence permits if available
** Proof that the applicant has been in Botswana for such a period i.e. letter from tribal authority
Cost :
The amount charged for this application is P200.00
Dual Citizenship :
This applies to people who are Botswana citizens by birth descent are also citiozens of other countries (dual citizenship). These people are required to renounce to other citizenship upon attainment of age 21 years.
Requirements :
** Two passport sized photos
** Certificate of origin
** Proof that one has acquired the other country’s cItizenship
** Police report (on fingerprints) from the country which the applicant wants citizenhsip of
** Copy of birth certificate affidavit in lieu of birth certificate
Cost : P10.00
NB : failure to renounce citizenship at the age of 21 results in the loss of the Botswana citizenship as per section 15 of the Citizenship Act.
Consequences of a loss of the Botswana Citizenship are that one would not qualify for the following :
** Botswana Passport
** Identity card (Omang)
Naturalisation :
This applies to foreigners who have resided in Botswana for a period of ten (10) years in aggregate oromore.
Cost :P1000.00
Naturalisation Of Foreign Spouse :
The applicant must be married to a citizen and must have continously resided in Botswana for a period of five (5) years or more.
Cost : P250.00
Registration Of An Adopted Child Over Three (3) Years Old
The applicant must be a Motswana and must have an adopted child who is over three (3) years old.
Requirements :
** Two passport sized photographs
** Copy of adoption certificate
** Proof of parents’ citizenship status e.g. certified copy of Omang
** Police report forms for children over sixteen (16) years old.
** Copy of adoptive parents’ marriage certificate (where applicable)
** Certified copy of a valid residence permit
Cost : P50.00
Registration Of A Minor Child Of A Citizen :
This applies to children under the age of twenty one (21) years who were not citizens of Botswana either by birth of by descent. One of the parents should have acquired Botswana citiznehsip
Requirements :
** Two passport sized photographs
** Certified cope of birth certificate
** Certified copy of parents’ citizenship status
** Police report forms for children over sixteen (16) years old.
** Certified copy of parents’ marriage certificate (where applicable)
** Certified copy of a valid residence permit
Cost : P25.00
President’s Power To Register Citizens :
The President of the Republic of Botswana may order for registration of a foreign national as a citizen of Botswana on the grounds of special considerations.
Cost : P500.00
Declaration Of Intention :
The applicant must be married to a citizen and has resided in Botswana for a minimum of two and a half (2 & 1/2) years.
Cost : Free
Renunciation Of Botswana Citizenship :
Any person who holds more than one citizneship (dual citizenship) for example, being a citizen of Botswana and other country and renounces the citizenship of Botswana shall cease to be a citizen of Botswana.
Requirements :
** Two passport sized photographs
** Cerificate of origin
** Proof that one has acquired another country’s citiznehsip
** Police report (on fingerprints) from the country which the applicant wasn’t citizenhsip of.
** Copy of birth certificate/affidavit in lieu of birth certificate
Cost : P10.00
Who do I contact for this service :
Department of Immigration and Citizenship
Migration and Visa Unit
Tel : +267 361 1300/27/44
Toll free Number : 0800 600 777