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Pathway

Botswana Business Residence

Botswana Residency
Pathway overview

At a glance

If you plan to run a business in Botswana, you need approval for your work as an investor and separate permission to live there. The business, foreign ownership, and your own role must all meet the applicable rules.

Who can apply
Investors who will run a qualifying business in Botswana
Work permission
Apply through the investor category of the work-permit process
Residence
Requires a separate application

Summary

Botswana handles an active investor through its work-permit process, alongside a separate residence application. The business and your operating role must both be supported. Holding shares passively or registering a company does not on its own authorize you to live there and run it.

Could this pathway work for you?

Eligibility

Prepare investment and bank records, company registration and a company profile, evidence of premises, a valid trade license, and asset valuations. Include an employee list with citizenship or work and residence records.

Check restrictions on foreign ownership and activities reserved for local applicants. Submit the investor work-permit application and your residence application with the required personal documents. The published checklist does not give one minimum investment amount for every business.

Running a business in Botswana
  1. Check the business Confirm the activity, foreign ownership, and your role are allowed.
  2. Prepare the records Gather investment, company, licensing, and employee evidence.
  3. Obtain both permissions Complete investor work and residence applications.

A company registration or short business visit does not replace work and residence approval.

What This Route Allows

If approved, you can live in Botswana for the business activity and period granted. Keep any separate work or professional approval required for your role.

What This Route Is Not

Registering a company, holding shares without running the business, or buying property alone does not grant residence. A short business-visit visa does not let you operate the business on an ongoing basis. This route does not grant citizenship or guarantee permanent residence.

Next Steps

  1. Confirm that the activity, foreign ownership, and your role are allowed.
  2. Gather company, licensing, premises, investment, employee, and personal records.
  3. Apply for investor work permission and residence, then follow the conditions and keep the supporting records current.

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Similar entrepreneur / start-up pathways in other destinations.

Sources