Do China passport holders need a visa to visit BW?

Chinese ordinary passport holders need a visa for Botswana. The easiest route is the official Botswana eVisa, applied online at evisa.gov.bw before travel. A short-stay tourist visa costs about USD 30 (single entry, up to 1 month) and is processed in roughly 7-20 working days. Botswana does not grant visa-free entry to holders of ordinary Chinese passports; only Chinese diplomatic, official and service passport holders are visa-exempt (up to 30 days). For tourism, an ordinary Chinese passport holder must obtain a visa in advance. Since launching its electronic visa system in August 2021, Botswana extended eVisa eligibility to all nationalities that previously required a pre-arrival visa, so Chinese tourists can apply entirely online through the official portal (evisa.gov.bw) rather than visiting an embassy. Visa on arrival is not available (the 2018 VoA plan was suspended). The standard tourist/visitor eVisa allows a stay of up to one month with single entry (about USD 30) or up to three months multiple entry (about USD 50). Applicants upload a passport copy (valid at least six months), a photo, proof of accommodation, and onward/return travel, and pay by Visa/Mastercard. Processing typically runs about 7 to 20 working days, so travelers should apply well ahead of departure. Always confirm the latest details on the official Government of Botswana portal before booking, as fees and processing times can change.