19 July 2026
The Government of the Republic of Botswana wishes to inform citizens and residents that, effective 1st August 2026, the Government of the United States of America will close its visa processing operations in Botswana. From this date, routine non immigrant and all immigrant visa services for Botswana nationals and residents will be processed by the U.S. Consulate General in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Visa applications will continue to commence online, with subsequent processing undertaken at the regional centre in Johannesburg. Detailed information on this new alignment, including appointment scheduling and payment of visa fees, is available on the official U.S. Department of State website: travel.state.gov.
The Government of Botswana notes with concern the increasingly stringent visa regime of the United States of America, which has made travel more difficult for Batswana. The press release further says the Botswana Government continues to engage the Government of the United States of America on these matters, including the visa bond programme introduced in August 2025.
The release highlights it is important to acknowledge that defaults on visa conditions and rising numbers of asylum claims by Batswana in the United States of America have contributed to these developments. Such trends affect the ease with which our citizens can enjoy hassle free travel, it adds.
The Government of Botswana, therefore, urges all citizens to exercise caution, to respect the laws of host countries, and to uphold the values of integrity and responsibility. By doing so, it urges, Batswana will strengthen trust abroad and preserve the privilege of travelling and visiting the United States of America and other nations without undue scrutiny or difficulty.
Source: Ministry of International Relations, Botswana
