Vietnam visa for Botswana citizens 2026: 90 days E-visa & Fees

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Botswana citizens are required to obtain a valid visa before entering Vietnam. The most convenient route is the Vietnam e-visa (EVISA), which can be applied for entirely online and is valid for up to 90 days with single or multiple entry options.

Visa on arrival is also available but requires a pre-approved approval letter and is restricted to international airports only. Processing times typically range from 3 to 10 working days depending on the application channel, and fees vary by visa type and group size.

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Do Botswana citizens need a visa to enter Vietnam?

Yes, Botswana citizens are required to obtain a valid visa before entering Vietnam, regardless of their purpose of travel or intended length of stay. Vietnam and Botswana have not signed any bilateral visa exemption agreement ^[1], which means holders of a Botswana passport cannot rely on visa-free access under any current arrangement with the Vietnamese government.

This requirement applies to all categories of travel, including tourism, business, family visits, and transit stays beyond the permitted airside period. The Vietnam Ministry of Foreign Affairs maintains this policy consistently, and border immigration officers enforce it strictly at all land, sea, and air entry points.

Based on our advisory experience serving thousands of travelers from Southern Africa since 2003, Botswana nationals who arrive without a valid visa are routinely denied boarding by airlines or turned away at Vietnamese immigration counters, a costly mistake that is entirely avoidable with proper preparation.

In addition to holding a valid visa, travelers carrying a Botswana passport must also meet the following Vietnam entry requirements:

• The Botswana passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the intended date of arrival in Vietnam
• The passport must have at least 2 blank pages available for entry stamps
• The traveler must be able to show proof of onward or return travel
• Sufficient funds for the duration of the stay may be requested by immigration officers

>>> Read more: Vietnam visa how many days? Update 2026

Types of Vietnam visa available for Botswana passport holders

There are three main pathways through which Botswana citizens can legally obtain a Vietnam visa. Understanding which route suits your travel plan best will save you both time and money before your Gaborone to Vietnam travel itinerary is finalised.

1. Vietnam e-visa (EVISA)

The Vietnam e-visa is the most straightforward and widely recommended option for Africa Vietnam visa applications today. Introduced and expanded by the Vietnamese government, the EVISA Vietnam system allows eligible nationals, including citizens of Botswana, to apply entirely online through the Vietnam e-visa portal without visiting any embassy.

2. Visa on arrival (VOA)

This method requires obtaining a visa approval letter from a Vietnam immigration agency before departure. The actual visa stamp is then collected upon landing at one of Vietnam’s designated international airports. This route suits travelers who prefer not to submit original passport documents online.

3. Embassy or consulate visa

Botswana citizens may also apply directly at the nearest Vietnamese embassy or consulate. For travelers based in Gaborone, the closest Vietnamese diplomatic mission is typically located in Pretoria, South Africa. This route takes longer but is preferred by some corporate travelers requiring multi-entry business visas with extended validity.

>>> Read more: How to Stay in Vietnam Long Term: All Visa Options 2026

How to apply for a Vietnam e-visa from Botswana

The e-visa Vietnam Botswana application process is fully digital and does not require the physical submission of your passport at any stage. This makes it the most practical solution for travelers departing from Gaborone or elsewhere in Botswana who do not have immediate access to a Vietnamese diplomatic post.

Step 1: Prepare your documents

Before you begin the Vietnam visa application Botswana process, ensure you have the following ready:

• A scanned copy or clear photo of your Botswana passport biographical page
• A recent passport-style portrait photograph (white background, no glasses)
• Your intended entry and exit dates
• Your planned entry checkpoint (airport, land border, or seaport)
• A valid email address to receive your approved e-visa
• A credit or debit card for payment

Step 2: Submit the application

You can submit your application directly through the Vietnam e-visa portal https://evisa.gov.vn/ managed by the Vietnam Immigration Department, or you can use a trusted visa service provider such as Tan Van Lang via https://evisa.vnhub.com/  to handle the submission on your behalf.

With over 20 years of experience since 2003, Tan Van Lang has processed tens of thousands of Vietnam visa Botswana applications and complex immigration cases. Our team reviews every application before submission to eliminate errors that commonly cause delays or rejections, something the self-service portal cannot do for you.

Common errors that applicants from Botswana make include:

• Uploading low-resolution passport scans that fail the system’s image verification
• Selecting the wrong entry checkpoint (the approved checkpoint on your e-visa must match your actual port of entry)
• Entering incorrect passport expiry dates or mismatched name spellings
• Choosing the wrong visa category (tourist vs. business)

Step 3: Receive and print your e-visa

Once approved, your Vietnam tourist visa Botswana e-visa will be sent to your registered email address as a PDF document. You must print a physical copy and present it alongside your Botswana passport at Vietnam immigration upon arrival. Digital display on a phone screen is not accepted at all checkpoints, always carry a printed copy.

From our practical experience in the field, we also advise travelers to carry two printed copies: one to hand to the immigration officer and one to retain for your personal records during your stay.

>>> Read more: Vietnam Visa Fees & Cost 2026: Updated E-visa, Embassy [Full List]

Vietnam visa on arrival for Botswana travelers

Vietnam visa on arrival Botswana is a viable alternative, particularly for travelers who prefer not to submit passport details through the government’s online portal, or for those who need faster processing through a third-party agency. However, it is critical to understand that “visa on arrival” does not mean you can simply arrive in Vietnam and receive a visa at the counter without prior arrangement.

The correct process works as follows:

1. Obtain a visa approval letter

You or your travel agent must apply for a visa approval letter Vietnam through an authorised Vietnamese immigration service provider. This letter, issued by the Vietnam Immigration Department, authorises the airline to allow you to board your flight to Vietnam and instructs the immigration desk to process your visa upon landing.

2. Board your flight with the approval letter

Present the approval letter to check-in staff at the departure airport. Without this document, most airlines serving Vietnam routes will deny boarding to passengers who do not already hold a visa or e-visa.

3. Collect your visa stamp on arrival

Upon landing at a Vietnam international airport, proceed to the visa-on-arrival counter (separate from the immigration queue). You will need to present:

• Your approval letter (printed)
• Your Botswana passport
• A completed visa application form (available at the counter)
• Two passport photos (4×6 cm)
• The stamping fee in USD cash (typically USD 25 for single entry, USD 50 for multiple entry, fees subject to change)

Important restriction: Vietnam visa on arrival is only valid at international airports. It is not available at land border crossings or seaports. If your travel plan involves entering Vietnam overland from Cambodia, Laos, or China, you must have an e-visa or an embassy-issued visa in advance.

>>> Read more: Vietnam Visa Photo Requirements 2026: Size, Format & Avoid Rejection

Vietnam visa fees and processing time for Botswana nationals

Vietnam visa fee Botswana costs vary depending on the application method, visa type, and processing timeline you select. Below is a transparent breakdown based on current rates applicable to Botswana to Vietnam visa applications processed through Tan Van Lang.

Government e-visa portal fees (self-application)

Travelers who apply directly through the official Vietnam e-visa portal pay the government fee directly online, which is currently set at approximately USD 25 per application ^[2]. Processing time through the official portal is typically 3 business days, though delays of up to 5 business days are common during peak travel seasons.

A word of caution: there are numerous fraudulent websites designed to look like the official Vietnam e-visa portal. These scam sites charge inflated fees, collect sensitive passport data, and sometimes deliver fake approval documents.

Always verify that the URL you are using is the official government domain or that you are working with a registered, reputable agency like Tan Van Lang. Travelling on a fraudulent visa document carries severe consequences, including deportation and potential entry bans.

>>> Read more: Vietnam Airport Fast Track Service 2026 – Skip the Lines, Save Time

Vietnam visa validity and length of stay for Botswana citizens

Understanding the distinction between visa validity and permitted length of stay is one area where many first-time travelers from Botswana make costly assumptions.

Visa validity refers to the window of time during which you may use the visa to enter Vietnam. Length of stay (also called duration of stay) refers to how long you are permitted to remain inside Vietnam once you have entered.

For example, a 90-day multiple entry visa Vietnam issued to a Botswana citizen may be valid for 90 days from the date of first entry, but each stay within that 90-day window is still governed by the conditions stamped on your passport at immigration.

Can Botswana citizens extend their Vietnam visa after arrival?

Visa extension is possible in Vietnam, but it is subject to approval by the Vietnam Immigration Department and is not guaranteed. Extensions must be applied for at least 5–7 business days before the current visa expires. Overstaying your visa without approval results in fines, forced departure, and a possible re-entry ban.

In our experience working with travelers across Africa Vietnam visa cases, we strongly advise Botswana nationals who anticipate needing more than 30 days to apply directly for a 90-day visa rather than relying on in-country extensions, which are administratively burdensome and carry uncertainty.

Temporary residence registration

A point that is frequently overlooked by international visitors to Vietnam: all foreign nationals are legally required to register their temporary place of residence within 24 hours of arrival. If you are staying in a hotel or licensed guesthouse, the establishment handles this automatically on your behalf.

If you are staying at a private residence, such as with a Vietnamese host or through certain short-term rental platforms, you or your host must submit a temporary residence declaration to the local police ward office. Failure to comply is a violation of Vietnam immigration law and can complicate visa extensions or future re-entry applications.

>>> Read more: Vietnam visa service: Fast & secure solution for your trip 2026

Frequently asked questions

Conclusion

Whether you are planning your first trip or managing a corporate delegation’s travel to Vietnam, our team is ready to handle every step of your Vietnam visa Botswana application with precision and care. Contact 08.666.000.63 (WhatsApp) now!