Botswana Work Permit (Self-Employed and Investors)

Status: active. Botswana has no separately named self-employment permit and no digital nomad visa. Self-employed people and investors apply for the general work permit, which gives a non-citizen permission to work in Botswana for a reward or to invest in Botswana for profit (Government of Botswana).

The permit is issued by the Department of Labour and Social Security. Investors file their own document list, built around proof of the business and the money put into it.

A work permit does not cover residence. Non-citizens staying beyond the visitor period need a residence permit from the Department of Immigration and Citizenship, processed in 30 working days; the official document lists show a P1,500 fee.

No official source sets a minimum investment, a standard permit length or a route to permanent residence for this permit.

The work permit is open to non-citizens. For self-employed people and investors, it suits someone who runs or is setting up a registered business in Botswana, not a freelancer working for clients abroad.

• Business: a registered company with premises, a trade license and proof of investment.
• Investment: no minimum amount is published on the official service page.
• Local work: Yes. The permit covers the business and activity named in the application.
• Family: Yes. Dependents apply for their own residence permits, supported by the permit holder (residence permit service).

The service page sets no income test and no age limit.

The official service page lists these documents for investors (work permit service):

Proof of investment by bank statement, lease or proof of business premises, company registration documents, list of employees, list of valued assets, valid trade license, company profile and a current certified bank statement.

• Identity: a certified copy of the passport's biographic data page and two passport-size photos with a white background.
• Staff: national ID cards for citizen employees and certified copies of work and residence permits for non-citizen employees.
• Vehicles: certified copies of registration books for any vehicles on the asset list.

Certificates in a foreign language must be translated into English and confirmed by the Botswana Qualifications Authority. Some professions also need clearance from their regulatory body.

Work permit fees are set by regulation and paid at the Labour Office. The official service page does not list them, and the figures quoted by other sources conflict, so applicants should confirm the current fee with their Labour Office before filing.

The separate residence permit lists a fee of BWP 1,500 for dependents and students; the fee for other categories is not stated (residence permit service).

Other costs fall outside the permit: company registration, a trade license, certified copies, translations and any legal help are set by other agencies and private providers.

1. Download and complete the application form and gather the supporting documents.
2. File at the right office: The nearest Labour Office (Department of Labour and Social Security), using the work permit application form; a residence permit is applied for separately at an Immigration office.
3. Wait for notification. The service page says processing takes 14 days, counted in working days.
4. Collect the permit if it is approved.

Regional Labour Offices include Gaborone, Francistown, Lobatse, Maun, Selibe Phikwe, Serowe and Kasane.

No official source sets a standard length for the work permit. The permit states the period it covers.

• Renewal: Renewable; apply six months before the work permit expires with the original requirements, a letter of renewal of contract and copies of the current work and residence permits.
• Residence permit: renewed separately with the Department of Immigration and Citizenship.
• Permanent residence: no official statement links this permit to permanent residence.

The service page sets no limit on the number of renewals.

The work permit carries no special tax treatment. Tax is handled by the Botswana Unified Revenue Service (BURS), separately from immigration.

BURS describes an employee as resident after working in Botswana for a continuous period of more than 183 days. The tax year runs from July 1 to June 30 (BURS income tax FAQ).

Permit holders should confirm with BURS how their business and personal income are taxed and what registration is needed.