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Pathway

Botswana Spouse Residence

Botswana Residency
Pathway overview

At a glance

If you are married to a Botswana citizen, you can apply for residence to live with them. You need accepted proof of the marriage, your spouse's citizenship, and the personal and support records on the citizen-spouse checklist.

Who may qualify
The spouse of a Botswana citizen
Marriage evidence
Accepted records documenting the marriage
Spouse's status
Proof of Botswana citizenship

Summary

A foreign spouse of a Botswana citizen can apply for residence using accepted marriage records, proof of the spouse’s citizenship, and the applicant’s personal documents. The marriage supports an application rather than issuing residence automatically. Check any intended job or business under the relevant work rules.

Could this pathway work for you?

Eligibility

Use the government's checklist for the spouse of a citizen. Prepare marriage and citizenship records, financial-support evidence, your passport and birth records, photographs, and the required application documents.

Confirm which copies need official certification and which documents need accepted translations before submitting. Gather housing evidence where required for the application.

Joining your spouse in Botswana
  1. Confirm the family connection Document your marriage and your spouse’s citizenship.
  2. Prepare the application Gather personal, support, and housing records.
  3. Apply for residence Follow the issued conditions and renewal dates.

Marriage supports the application but does not automatically issue a permit.

What This Route Allows

If approved, you can live in Botswana as a citizen's spouse for the period and under the conditions stated on your permit.

What This Route Is Not

Marriage alone does not give you a residence permit or citizenship. This guide covers a spouse; children and other relatives have different requirements. Check separately whether your planned work or business needs permission.

Next Steps

  1. Confirm that your marriage and your spouse's Botswana citizenship are documented.
  2. Gather the relationship, support, housing, and personal records, with the required certification and translations.
  3. Apply under the citizen-spouse category and follow the permit's work and renewal conditions.

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Discussed in these reports

Other routes in Botswana.

Sources