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United States Visa Requirements for Botswana Citizens

Visa required

Botswana passport holders need a visa for United States, issued by an embassy or consulate before travel.

Source: eCFR — 8 CFR 212.1, Documentary requirements for nonimmigrants · checked 13 Oct 2026

Check another trip

Flag of United StatesUnited States visa options for Botswana citizens

B-1/B-2 Visitor Visa (Business/Tourism)

Embassy
Fee
185 USD

The law requires a visa integrity fee, of at least $250 for fiscal year 2025, from any alien issued a nonimmigrant visa at the time of issuance (Pub. L. 119-21, s. 100007); no official source we could read states whether it is being collected yet. The UK government says visa appointments at the US Embassy in London are limited.

Official application site →

What the United States visa rules mean for Botswana travellers

Botswana citizens need a visa issued in advance by an embassy or consulate of United States. Start the application several weeks before departure: you will typically need a passport valid for six months with blank pages, a completed application form, passport photos, a travel itinerary, proof of accommodation and of sufficient funds, and sometimes an invitation letter or bank statements.

The main option is the B-1/B-2 Visitor Visa (Business/Tourism), which costs 185 USD.

Documents to prepare

Whatever your visa status, United States applies the same entry conditions to every traveller:

  • Passport validity: CBP says visitors must have passports valid for six months beyond their intended stay, and that citizens of the countries on its exemption list need only a passport valid for their intended period of stay. The list incl…
  • Travel insurance: No official source we could read states a travel-insurance requirement for the United States. The UK government says medical treatment in the US is expensive and that some hospitals ask non-US residents to pay a deposit…
  • Return or onward ticket: Under 8 CFR 217.2, Visa Waiver Program travellers arriving by air or sea must have a round-trip ticket out of the United States, one that ends in contiguous territory or an adjacent island only if they live there. Those…
  • Proof of funds: No official source we could read states a fixed amount. Under 8 CFR 217.2, Visa Waiver Program travellers arriving at a land border must show evidence of financial solvency and a home abroad to which they intend to retu…

United States entry rules compared

United States lets 5 passports in without a visa and requires an embassy visa from 131. Botswana citizens are treated the same way as Algeria, Angola, Benin, Burundi and Cameroon. Overall the Botswana passport ranks #106 in the world with 48 visa-free destinations.

More travel options

Planning a longer trip in Americas? With a Botswana passport you can also visit 16 countries in the region without a visa, including Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Brazil, Bahamas, Belize, Dominica, Dominican Republic and Ecuador.

In the other direction, United States citizens can visit Botswana visa-free for up to 90 days.

Flag of United StatesEntry requirements for United States

Travel insurance

No official source we could read states a travel-insurance requirement for the United States. The UK government says medical treatment in the US is expensive and that some hospitals ask non-US residents to pay a deposit when admitted.

UK FCDO — the USA travel advice: health✓ Checked 4 Oct 2026

Return or onward ticket

8 CFR

Under 8 CFR 217.2, Visa Waiver Program travellers arriving by air or sea must have a round-trip ticket out of the United States, one that ends in contiguous territory or an adjacent island only if they live there. Those arriving at a land border must show evidence of financial solvency and a home abroad to which they intend to return.

8 CFR 217.2 — Visa Waiver Program eligibility✓ Checked 13 Oct 2026

Proof of funds

8 CFR

No official source we could read states a fixed amount. Under 8 CFR 217.2, Visa Waiver Program travellers arriving at a land border must show evidence of financial solvency and a home abroad to which they intend to return. The State Department says visitor visa applicants may be asked for additional documents to establish whether they are qualified.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection — Visa Requirements and Visa Waiver Program conditions✓ Checked 13 Oct 2026

Overstay penalties

180 days

Staying after the authorized period of stay expires is unlawful presence. Unless an exception applies, a person who accrued more than 180 days but less than 1 year of unlawful presence in a single stay, and left before removal proceedings began, is inadmissible if they seek admission again within 3 years of leaving. A person who accrued 1 year or more is inadmissible if they seek admission again within 10 years of leaving or being removed.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services — Unlawful Presence and Inadmissibility✓ Checked 13 Oct 2026

Frequently asked questions

Do Botswana citizens need a visa for United States?

Botswana passport holders need a visa for United States, issued by an embassy or consulate before travel.

How much does a United States visa cost for Botswana citizens?

B-1/B-2 Visitor Visa (Business/Tourism): 185 USD.

How do Botswana citizens apply for a United States visa?

Apply at an embassy or consulate of United States before you travel. Prepare a valid passport, a completed application form, photos and any supporting documents the embassy asks for.

How long must my passport be valid to enter United States?

CBP says visitors must have passports valid for six months beyond their intended stay, and that citizens of the countries on its exemption list need only a passport valid for their intended period of stay. The list includes the UK, Canada, Mexico, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, India and the Bahamas, among others.

Data: TravelRequirements.info — Entry Requirements Dataset, AXG Sp. z o.o. (CC BY 4.0). Entry rules can change — confirm with official sources before travel.