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Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Welfare of Batswana in the Diaspora

Overview

The Department of Protocol and Consular Services in the Ministry of International Affairs and Cooperation provides assistance to Batswana in the diaspora to facilitate processing of their applications for passports and emergency travel documents, National Identity cards (Omang), replacement of birth certificates, Police clearance certificates, documents for repatriation of deceased Batswana and authentication of documents issued by the Government of Botswana.

Who is eligible?

All citizens of Botswana in the diaspora.

How do I get this service?

Visit the nearest Botswana Mission to apply in person for passports and emergency travel documents, National Identity cards (Omang), replacement of birth certificates, Police clearance certificates.

What supporting documents are required?
  • Submit Police report for lost documents
  • 2 Passport size photos
  • Birth certificates
  • Copy of Omang
  • Original fingerprints for Police clearances
  • Cover letter requesting for Police clearance
How long will this service take?

4 weeks.

Theme for this service
How much does it cost?
  • Immigration fees
  • To confirm fees charged for Police clearances
Meta tags

Botswana, Botswana Government, Republic of Botswana, Government of Botswana, International affairs, Botswana Missions, Department of Protocol and Consular Services

Keywords

Omang, Passport, Birth Certificate, Police Clearance, Repatriation, Deceased, National Identity Card

Ministry submitting this Service

Welfare of Batswana in the Diaspora

Overview

The Department of Protocol and Consular Services in the Ministry of International Affairs and Cooperation provides assistance to Batswana in the diaspora to facilitate processing of their applications for passports and emergency travel documents, National Identity cards (Omang), replacement of birth certificates, Police clearance certificates, documents for repatriation of deceased Batswana and authentication of documents issued by the Government of Botswana.

Who is eligible?

All citizens of Botswana in the diaspora.

How do I get this service?

Visit the nearest Botswana Mission to apply in person for passports and emergency travel documents, National Identity cards (Omang), replacement of birth certificates, Police clearance certificates.

What supporting documents are required?
  • Submit Police report for lost documents
  • 2 Passport size photos
  • Birth certificate
  • Copy of Omang
  • Original fingerprints for Police clearances
  • Cover letter requesting for Police clearance
How long will this service take?

4 weeks.

Theme for this service
How much does it cost?
  • Immigration fees.
  • To confirm fees charged for Police clearances.
Meta tags

Botswana, Botswana Government, Republic of Botswana, Government of Botswana, International affairs, Botswana Missions, Department of Protocol and Consular Services

Keywords

Omang, Passport, Birth Certificate, Police Clearance, Repatriation, Deceased, National Identity Card

Ministry submitting this Service

Provision of State Protocol Services for National Events and International Conferences in Botswana

Overview

The Department of Protocol and Consular Services in the Ministry of International Affairs and Cooperation provides State Protocol services to facilitate smooth arrangements of national events and international conferences hosted in Botswana. The services provided also include training on Protocol and Etiquette to stakeholders, guidance on interaction with Foreign Missions accredited to Botswana, as well as High Level visitors from abroad.

Who is eligible?
  • Government Ministries, departments and parastatals.
  • Others may approach private providers of the training on Protocol and Etiquette who are accredited with Botswana Qualifications Authority.
How do I get this service?

Submit request in the form of Saving-gram through parent Ministry for the required services.

What supporting documents are required?
  • Communication requesting the assistance specifying the nature of the training required, target group and events or High Level guests to be facilitated
  • Completed VIP lounge access forms
How long will this service take?
  • Training will be provided within 2 weeks of receipt of the request.
  •  VIP requests will be processed within 7 days of receipt of the request.
Theme for this service
How much does it cost?

No charges.

Meta tags

Botswana, Botswana Government, Republic of Botswana, Government of Botswana, International affairs, Botswana Embassy, High Commission, Protocol and Consular Services, District Commissioner's, Protocol Officer

 

Keywords

Protocol and Etiquette, Training, VIP lounge

Ministry submitting this Service

Facilitation of Visa Applications for Public Officers on Official Travel

Overview

The Department of Protocol and Consular Services in the Ministry of International Affairs and Cooperation provides assistance to Public Officers travelling abroad on official duties.

Who is eligible?

All Public Officers travelling on official duties.

How do I get this service?

Submit request in the form of Savingram for Visa facilitation to the Department of Protocol and Consular Services. Officers from parastatals are required to route their requests through parent Ministries for issuance of Savingram addressed to the Ministry of International Affairs and Cooperation.

What supporting documents are required?

Savingram from the sending Ministry specifying:

  • Full names of officer/s
  • Designation
  • Invitation letter
  • Purpose of travel
  • Destination
  • Itinerary/ dates of travel
  • Travel/Medical insurance
How long will this service take?

2 days.

Theme for this service
How much does it cost?

No charges.

Meta tags

Botswana, Botswana Government, Republic of Botswana, Government of Botswana, International affairs, Botswana Embassy, High Commission, Protocol and Consular Services, District Commissioner's, Protocol Officer

Keywords

Visa Application

Ministry submitting this Service

Consular Services Not Provided to Batswana

Overview
  • Provision of Legal Advice, representation or institute Court Proceedings.
  • Intervention in local judicial practices in relation to private matters.
  • Intervention in local investigations involving Motswana abroad (e.g. crimes committed, deaths occurred etc.)
  • Conduct search and rescue efforts abroad.
  • Paying of personal expenses for Batswana abroad (Issuing of loans, medical bills, hotel bills, payment of pensions, air fares, transport, meals, return of remains, financially supporting Batswana incarcerated abroad etc.)
  • Assisting with transfer of funds for Batswana.
  • Facilitating personal arrangements such as obtaining accommodation and work, residence, study permits for Batswana travelling or planning to live and work abroad.
  • Intervention in relation to customs or quarantine requirements and regulations of foreign countries.
  • Provision of security protection.
  • Acceptance of responsibility for custody and safe return of property.
Theme for this service
Meta tags

Botswana, Botswana Government, Republic of Botswana

Keywords

Travel abroad, travel tips

Synonyms

Consular services

Ministry submitting this Service

Top Ten (10) Travel Tips

Overview

In addition to the services that the Ministry provides, it is critical that Batswana accept personal responsibility for their personal travel. In addition, personal responsibility must also be taken for any and all agreements and arrangements entered with third parties locally or internationally.

 

Adequate due diligence must be exercised before any business relationship is established with any foreign interest as it is often difficult to litigate over international private agreements in local courts. To assist Batswana to avoid the pitfalls of international travel and engagements, the following advice must always be followed;

 

  • Before you travel abroad, ensure that you have a valid passport with the necessary visas. Make sure your passport is valid (at least six months’ validity from your planned return date home), have the right visas for your country of destination and transit visas if necessary before you embark on your journey.

 

  • Consult the Ministry of International Affairs and Cooperation’s (MIAC) website (www.mofaic.gov.bw) or help lines for contact information of Botswana Diplomatic Missions. Where necessary, particularly in trouble spots, relevant information can be sourced upon request. Some countries have Resident Diplomatic Missions, Consulates or Honorary Consuls in Botswana where such information can be sourced.

 

  • Make sensible and precautionary arrangements for your accommodation. Take comprehensive travel and health insurance and ensure proper behaviour and safety overseas.

 

  • Register your travel details with the Ministry of International Affairs and Cooperation or Botswana Missions providing ALL relevant information.

 

  • Inform your family/friends of your travel plans and leave copies of your passport, itinerary, insurance policy, visas and ID/Omang with them. Inform them of your arrival, location and your new contacts so they know where you are. Carry at least one extra copy of each document in a separate place in case of loss of the original.

 

  • Obey the laws of the country of your destination. DO NOT cross illegally at un-gazetted entry points into a foreign country or cross without the necessary documents. In this case, you will be an illegal immigrant.

 

  • Check vaccination requirements or other necessary health precautions of the country of your destination at least ten (10) weeks in advance of your travel. Contact the Ministry of Health and Wellness and/or Labour and Home Affairs for detailed assistance. It is advisable to get travel insurance to avoid expensive medical costs should you need medical attention abroad.

 

  • It is your responsibility to ensure your personal security and protection once abroad and your safe passage home. Always ensure that you have enough funds for your travel and minimize interaction with strangers.

 

  • Unless it is highly important and you are assured of your security, avoid travelling to countries/places that are prone to or undergoing natural disasters, human rights violations, terrorist attacks and civil/political unrest. If necessary, have a travel companion or group. There is limited assistance and authority that Government can give when Batswana are involved in such serious crimes as abduction, kidnapping, hostage situations or human trafficking.

 

  • Kindly exercise patience and the necessary courtesies when approaching the Ministry for assistance. The Ministry is cognizant of the stressful circumstances that those seeking assistance are often under but must with equal measure appreciate the volume of requests and the limitations the Ministry has particularly in cases for which Botswana has no jurisdiction. The bulk of the assistance provided will thus be facilitatory as other governments and Government Ministries and Departments would have primary responsibility.
Theme for this service
Meta tags

Botswana, Botswana Government, Republic of Botswana

Keywords

Travel abroad, travel tips

Ministry submitting this Service
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