Citizenship is registration and naturalization of foreign nationals intending to acquire Botswana citizenship.
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
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 for Botswana Citizenship
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
The amount charged for this application is P200.00
DUAL CITIZENSHIP
This applies to people who are Botswana citizens by birth descent are also citizens 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 citizenship 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 or more.
Cost P1000.00
NATURALISATION OF FOREIGN SPOUSE
The applicant must be married to a citizen and must have continuously 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 citizenship
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 citizenship (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
• Certificate of origin
• Proof that one has acquired another country’s citizenship
• Police report (on fingerprints) from the country which the applicant wasn’t citizenship of.
• Copy of birth certificate/affidavit in lieu of birth certificate
Cost P10.00
For More Information
Department of Immigration and Citizenship
Migration and Visa Unit
Tel: +267 361 1300/27/44
Toll free Number:
0800 600 777
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