🇨🇳China

🇧🇼BotswanaCN-BW

China to Botswana visa requirements

Q: How do Chinese tourists get a Botswana visa?

The easiest way is the official eVisa, applied online at evisa.gov.bw, with documents uploaded and the fee paid by Visa/Mastercard before you travel.

Q: How much does the Botswana tourist visa cost?

About USD 30 for single entry (up to one month) and USD 50 for multiple entry (up to three months), plus any optional agency fee if you use a third-party site.

Q: Is there a visa on arrival in Botswana for Chinese travelers?

No. The visa-on-arrival plan announced in 2018 was suspended, so you must obtain a visa before arrival.

Q: How long does the eVisa take to process?

Typically around 7 to 20 working days. Apply well before your planned departure date.

Q: How long can I stay on a Botswana tourist visa?

Up to 30 days on a single-entry visa, or up to 90 days with the multiple-entry option, subject to the period granted by immigration.

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.

VISA REQUIREDTOURISMFLEXIBLE ENTRYLast verified 2026-05-30

For guidance only — visa rules change with little notice. Always confirm directly with the destination's embassy or foreign ministry before booking non-refundable travel. Information here applies to ordinary (non-diplomatic) passports unless noted.

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/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-05-30

Visa type

Tourist eVisa (electronic visa, applied online before travel)

Maximum stay

Up to 30 days (single entry); up to 90 days for multiple-entry option

per entry

Entries

Single entry (multiple-entry option available)

from issue date

Visa fee

USD 30 single entry; USD 50 multiple entry

consular fee only

Processing time

Approximately 7-20 working days

standard track

Validity

Valid for the period granted (about 1 month single entry; up to 3 months multiple entry)

from issue date

/02 — The process

How to apply

/01

Confirm you need a visa

Ordinary Chinese passport holders require a visa for Botswana. Only Chinese diplomatic, official and service passports are visa-exempt. Plan to apply online before you travel; there is no tourist visa on arrival.

· Verdict: eVisa· Apply in advance

/02

Gather your documents

Prepare a passport valid for at least six months with blank pages, a recent passport-style photo, proof of accommodation (hotel booking or invitation), and a confirmed onward/return ticket.

· Passport 6+ months· Onward ticket

/03

Create an account on the official eVisa portal

Go to evisa.gov.bw (Government of Botswana eVisa system) and register. Avoid unofficial third-party sites that add service fees.

· evisa.gov.bw· Official portal

/04

Complete the application and upload documents

Fill in the tourist/visitor visa form, select single or multiple entry, and upload your passport copy, photo, accommodation and travel details.

· Tourist visa· Upload scans

/05

Pay the visa fee online

Pay the fee (about USD 30 single entry / USD 50 multiple entry) using a Visa or Mastercard. Keep the payment confirmation.

· Visa/Mastercard· USD 30-50

/06

Receive approval and travel

Wait roughly 7-20 working days for a decision, then download and print the approval letter / eVisa. Carry it with your passport and supporting documents on arrival.

· Print eVisa· Carry on arrival

/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

13 items

Personalized checklist

China -> Botswana · Tourist eVisa (electronic visa, applied online before travel)

0 / 13 complete

Visa typeTravel date

Deadline reminderAdd a date before export

RequiredPassport valid at least 6 months beyond intended stay, with blank pages

Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route

required

RequiredCompleted Botswana eVisa application via evisa.gov.bw

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

required

RequiredRecent passport-style photograph (digital upload)

Use the official size, background, and recency rules for this route

required

RequiredConfirmed onward or return air ticket

Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates

required

RequiredProof of accommodation (hotel booking or host invitation)

Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates

required

RequiredeVisa fee paid by Visa or Mastercard

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

required

RequiredPrinted eVisa approval letter to present on arrival

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

required

RecommendedProof of sufficient funds for the stay

Bank, income, or asset proof with clear name, date, and balances

recommended

RecommendedTravel/medical insurance for the trip

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

recommended

ConditionalYellow fever vaccination certificate if arriving from an endemic country

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

conditional

RequiredOfficial application form or online application

Official form; submit online or print and sign as instructed

Use the current form from the official or designated application channel.

RequiredFlight and hotel itinerary

Confirmed or agency-arranged itinerary when the route guide requires it

Use dates that fit the allowed stay and visa validity.

RecommendedTravel medical insurance

Policy certificate showing traveler name, destination, and coverage dates

Some destinations or agencies require it even when the core visa rule only recommends it.

Official sourcesWikipedia - Visa policy of Botswana Government of Botswana - Visa Application (Tourism Visa)Government of Botswana - Official eVisa Portal

Application link included: Wikipedia - Visa policy of Botswana

Open link

/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate

Line itemAmountSource

Tourist eVisa - single entryUSD 30Stay up to 1 month, single entry

Tourist eVisa - multiple entryUSD 50Stay up to 3 months, multiple entries

Third-party agency service feeUSD 30-100+Optional; charged only if you use a commercial site instead of evisa.gov.bw

Total estimateUSD 30 — USD 50incl. all

/05 — The wait

Processing time

Standard eVisa processing

Approx. 7-20 working days

Official Government of Botswana eVisa processing. Apply well before departure.

Embassy/consular visa

Around 7-14 days

Alternative paper application via a Botswana diplomatic mission; slower and less convenient than the eVisa.

/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency

/01

China is not on Botswana's visa-exempt list (ordinary passports)

Botswana's visa policy exempts only certain nationalities and, for China, only diplomatic/official/service passport holders. Ordinary passport holders must obtain a visa.

High

/02

No tourist visa on arrival

Botswana's 2018 visa-on-arrival plan was suspended, so travelers cannot rely on getting a visa at the border.

Medium

/03

eVisa applied to wrong purpose or incomplete documents

Submitting the wrong visa category or missing accommodation/onward-ticket proof leads to rejection or delay.

Medium

/04

Insufficient passport validity

Passport must be valid for at least six months; otherwise the application or entry can be refused.

Medium

/05

Applying too late

With processing of up to ~20 working days, last-minute applications risk not being approved before departure.

Low

/07 — On arrival

After you land

/01

Immigration

Keep your passport, visa or exemption proof, return ticket, and accommodation details ready for border inspection.

/02

Customs

Review the destination's customs rules before travel and declare restricted goods or large cash amounts when required.

/03

Connectivity

Check whether airport SIMs, eSIMs, or roaming are the best option for your route before arrival.

/08 — The history

Policy changelog

since 2024

2026-05-30

China to Botswana route verified

Confirmed via Wikipedia visa policy of Botswana and the Government of Botswana eVisa system that ordinary Chinese passport holders require a visa, obtainable online as an eVisa (evisa.gov.bw); no tourist visa on arrival. Fees about USD 30 (single) / USD 50 (multiple).

/09 — The questions