Living in Botswana
Information for British citizens moving to or living in Botswana, including guidance on residency, healthcare and driving.
This guide sets out essential information for British citizens moving to or living in Botswana. Read about how our High Commission in Botswana can help.
This information is provided as a guide only. You should get definitive information from the Botswana authorities. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) is not liable for any inaccuracies in this information.
Support for British Nationals Abroad: A Guide sets out how British nationals can stay safe abroad and how the FCDO can help if you do get into difficulty.
Read general guidance on moving or retiring abroad.
To stay up to date, follow the British High Commission Gaborone on Facebook and Twitter.
Before you go
See our travel advice for Botswana for up-to-date information on entry requirements, local laws and customs, safety and emergencies.
Visas and residency
Check the entry requirements for Botswana in our travel advice.
British Nationals do not require a visa to enter Botswana as a tourist. If you wish to settle in Botswana, see how to apply for a visa to enter Botswana. If you are applying from the UK you can approach the Botswana High Commission in London to obtain this service.
6 Stratford Place
London
W1C 1AY.
Tel: 020 7499 0031 Fax: 020 7495 8595
Visit the Immigration and Civil Registration website for information on applying for residence and work permits and the requirements for citizenship. You should ask the Immigration Department under the ministry of Labour and Home Affairs directly for further advice and information on sponsoring family members to live in Botswana.
Passports and travel
You can apply for or renew your British passport from Botswana.
Check the Botswana travel advice for passport validity requirements.
Healthcare in Botswana
There are four private hospitals in Gaborone, each of which can provide a good standard of medical treatment. Facilities in popular tourist areas (e.g. Kasane and Maun) are basic. Patients are often referred to South Africa for specialist treatment or more complex emergencies.
Botswana does not have a health agreement with the United Kingdom and visitors to Botswana are advised to apply for travel/medical insurance ahead of their arrival. The Non-bank Financial Institutions Regulatory Authority (NBFIRA) provides a list of medical insurance companies in Botswana.
For further information, see the Ministry of Health section of the Botswana government website.
You can see our list of medical facilities and practitioners in Botswana.
Useful Websites:
- Life Gaborone Private Hospital
- Bokamoso Private Hospital
- Sedilega Private Hospital
- Sir Ketumile Masire Teaching Hospital
UK Travel insurance providers will not generally cover your healthcare costs if you live overseas.
Medicine
If you are on a prescription for any medication, you should ensure you have a supply of it, or are able to obtain it when in Botswana. Certain medicines may not be available in Botswana (including major brands readily available in the UK), and you may be prohibited from taking them into the country. You should consult your General Physician before travelling to Botswana to find out about any alternative medication.
Read the guidance if you need to travel with medicines.
Working in Botswana
If you are planning to move to Botswana and work, you may need a visa. Read the Botswana government’s guidance on working in Botswana as a foreign national and how to get a visa.
All non-Botswana citizens require a permit to work in Botswana.
See applying for work and residence permits.
Studying in Botswana
If you plan to study in Botswana, you must meet all visa requirements before you travel. Read Botswana government’s guidance on applying for a study visa.
Botswana offers a range of educational opportunities. There are a number of good private schools for primary school aged children. Options may be more limited for older children. Some of the schools that offer an international curriculum are:
Further information can be found at the Botswana Ministry of Education. Contact the relevant higher education provider in Botswana to check what fees you have to pay.
Useful websites:
Tax
Botswana has double taxation agreement (DTA) with the UK. You can download the bilateral agreement.
For further information, see https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/botswana-tax-treaties.
You should get professional advice on paying tax in Botswana. Find an English-speaking lawyer in Botswana.
You should contact the Botswana Unified Revenue Service (BURS) if you need further information.
Read guidance on:
- tax if you leave the UK to live abroad
- tax on your UK income if you live abroad
- tax if you get a pension and live abroad
- paying National Insurance while abroad to protect your State Pension and entitlement to other benefits and allowances
Benefits
Check which UK benefits you can claim while abroad and how to claim them.
Many income-related benefits such as Pension Credit and Housing Benefit cannot be paid if you’re abroad for more than 4 weeks.
Pensions
Read State Pension guidance if you have lived in Australia, Canada or New Zealand and you are claiming or waiting to claim your UK State Pension.
If you retire in Botswana, you can claim your UK State Pension or apply for new UK State Pension. Contact the International Pension Centre for further information.
Life certificates for UK State Pensions
If you get a ‘life certificate’ from the UK Pension Service, you must respond as soon as possible. Your payments may be suspended if you do not.
Money and banking
Details of banks operating in Botswana and their contact details can be found on the website of the Bank of Botswana.
Accommodation and buying property
Foreign nationals can generally buy and transfer property in Botswana. However, tribal residential land is restricted to Botswana citizens only, except in instances where an acquisition by a foreign national may create employment for citizens of Botswana. You cannot buy undeveloped land, unless it is freehold.
If you wish to purchase property, you should approach a real estate agent and solicitor for advice. The Real Estate Advisory Council provides a list of real estate agents in Botswana.
See also buying a property abroad.
Driving in Botswana
You can use your British driving license for up to 90 days in any calendar year. Alternatively, you can use an International Driving Permit for the life of that permit.
See guidance on
If you’re asked for a letter authenticating, certifying or validating your UK driver’s licence, you should contact your UK issuing office (eg the DVLA).
See guidance for travelling by road in Botswana.
If you wish to take your vehicle with you, see: https://www.gov.uk/taking-vehicles-out-of-uk. Information on importing vehicles is available at the Botswana Unified Revenue Service (BURS).
Disabled drivers
If you have a UK Blue Badge and live in Botswana, you must return it to the original UK issuing authority.
Voting
Read Botswana government’s guidance on voter registration.
You may be able to vote in some UK elections. You can:
Births, deaths, marriage and civil partnership
Births
If your child is born in Botswana you should register the birth with the local authorities. You can then register with the UK authorities and apply for a UK birth certificate.
If your child has British nationality, you do not need to register the birth with the UK authorities to apply for a British passport.
Deaths
If someone dies in Botswana read our guidance on:
- what to do if someone dies abroad
- bereavement guidance for Botswana
- English-speaking funeral directors in Botswana
Marriage and civil partnership
The government may ask you to provide a letter from the British High Commission to prove your marital status. The High Commission can provide you with a letter confirming that the UK doesn’t issue certificates of no impediment (CNI) for marriages in Commonwealth countries.
Find out how you can get married or get a civil partnership abroad.
See also the government of Botswana’s requirements for marriage registration.
Pets
Read Botswana government’s regulations on importing pets into Botswana.
Emergencies
Dial the 999 for the police, 997 for the ambulance or 998 for the fire brigade.
If you have been a victim of rape or sexual assault in Botswana, read the guidance for victims of rape and sexual assault in Botswana. See also guidance for victims of rape and sexual assault abroad.
If you’re a victim of a crime, have been arrested, or are affected by a crisis, contact the British High Commission Gaborone. See also list of English speaking lawyers in Botswana.
Read guidance on international parental child abduction if your child may be at risk of this.
Returning to the UK
Read the guidance on returning to the UK permanently which includes information on bringing family members, tax and access to services.
The Bank of Botswana offers information to persons wishing to emigrate from Botswana. For further information you can contact them directly at +267 361 6000.
BURS provides information on shipping your property out of Botswana.
Last updated 13 March 2023 + show all updates
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Reviewed and updated guidance in full.
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Coronavirus section added with a link to guidance on vaccines.
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First published.