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Do France passport holders need a visa to visit BW?

No visa needed. French ordinary passport holders can enter Botswana visa-free for tourism for up to 90 days within any 12-month period; an entry stamp is issued on arrival. France is on Botswana's visa-exempt list. As of May 2026, holders of an ordinary French passport do not need a visa or an eVisa to visit Botswana for tourism or a short visit. On arrival at any airport, land border, or seaport, immigration grants a free entry stamp permitting a stay of up to 90 days, counted cumulatively within a rolling 365-day (12-month) period. The passport must be valid for at least six months and have at least two blank facing pages. Travellers should be ready to show proof of onward or return travel and, if asked, accommodation details and sufficient funds. Botswana is not part of the Schengen Area, so the Schengen 90/180 rule and ETIAS do not apply here. Stays can be extended at a regional immigration office (typically two 30-day extensions) before the stamped period expires. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required only if arriving from or transiting a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. The French government's official France-Visas portal confirms the visa-free status for Botswana.
VISA-FREETOURISMMULTIPLE 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.
France (PR)Living in France as a permanent resident? See PR-specific guidance→
/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-05-30
Visa type
Visa-free (visa exemption) - entry stamp on arrival
Maximum stay
Up to 90 days within any 12-month period
per entry
Entries
Multiple entries permitted within the 90-day allowance
from issue date
Visa fee
Free (no visa fee)
consular fee only
Processing time
None - granted on arrival at the border
standard track
Validity
90 days cumulative per rolling 365-day period
from issue date
/02 — The process

How to apply

/01
Confirm your eligibility
As a French ordinary passport holder, you are visa-exempt for tourist stays in Botswana of up to 90 days per 12-month period. No visa or eVisa application is needed before travel.
· No visa required
/02
Check passport validity and blank pages
Ensure your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your intended stay and has at least two blank facing pages for the entry stamp.
· 6 months validity· 2 blank pages
/03
Prepare supporting documents
Carry proof of onward or return travel, accommodation details for your first night, and evidence of sufficient funds. Airlines may check your return ticket before boarding.
· Onward ticket· Proof of funds
/04
Check yellow fever requirement
If you are arriving from or have transited a country with risk of yellow fever, carry a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate. It is not required if travelling directly from France.
· Conditional
/05
Receive your entry stamp on arrival
At the airport, land border, or seaport, immigration issues a free entry stamp granting up to 90 days. Note the stamped expiry date.
· On arrival· Free
/06
Extend if needed
To stay beyond the stamped period, apply at a regional immigration office before it expires - tourists typically qualify for two 30-day extensions.
· Regional immigration office
/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

8 items
Personalized checklist
0 / 8 complete
French ordinary passport valid 6+ months beyond stay
required
At least two blank facing passport pages
required
Proof of onward or return travel
required
Accommodation details for first night
recommended
Evidence of sufficient funds for the stay
recommended
Travel/medical insurance
recommended
Yellow fever certificate (if arriving from/transiting a risk country)
conditional
Return/onward flight ticket (airlines may check at boarding)
required
Track your progress · save & email a copy
/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate
Line itemAmountSource
Tourist visa fee0No visa required for French passport holders
Entry stamp on arrival0Issued free at the border
Stay extension (per 30-day extension)VariesOptional, paid at a regional immigration office if extending beyond 90 days
Total estimate0 — 0incl. all
/05 — The wait

Processing time

Entry stamp on arrival
Immediate at the border
No advance application. Immigration grants the visa-free entry stamp when you arrive in Botswana.
/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency
/01
France is on Botswana's visa-exempt list
French nationals are among the countries whose ordinary passport holders may enter Botswana without a visa for short tourist stays.
High
/02
Stay capped at 90 days per year
The visa-free allowance is up to 90 days counted cumulatively within any 365-day period, not 90 days per entry.
High
/03
Passport validity and blank pages
Entry can be refused if the passport is not valid for 6 months or lacks blank pages.
Medium
/04
Proof of onward travel
Airlines and immigration may require evidence of a return or onward ticket.
Medium
/05
Yellow fever certificate when applicable
Required only when arriving from or transiting a yellow fever risk country.
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
France to Botswana route verified
Confirmed visa-free entry for French ordinary passport holders (up to 90 days per 12 months) against France-Visas and Botswana government immigration sources.
/09 — The questions

Frequently asked

Do French citizens need a visa for Botswana?—
No. French ordinary passport holders are visa-exempt and can visit Botswana for tourism for up to 90 days within a 12-month period, with a free entry stamp issued on arrival.
How long can I stay in Botswana without a visa?+
Do I need to apply for a Botswana eVisa before travelling?+
What passport validity does Botswana require?+
Is Botswana part of the Schengen Area?+
Can I extend my stay beyond 90 days?+
/11 — Passport tools

Tools for the France passport

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Compare the France passport
Stack it up against another passport→
🇫🇷◐
France visa-free map
See where this passport goes visa-free→
🇫🇷▤
France passport power
Global rank and destination breakdown→
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