UK Visas will be introducing changes to the visa service in Botswana. These changes are part of a worldwide reform programme to increase the efficiency of the UK visa service overseas at no extra cost to the applicant.

With effect from 3rd March 2008 all UK visa applications from Botswana will be sent to the British High Commission in Pretoria for processing before being returned to Gaborone for issue. Visas will no longer be processed in Gaborone. In Southern Africa, visa applications from Namibia, Mozambique, Lesotho, Swaziland, Zimbabwe and Malawi are already being processed in Pretoria.

This will not affect the way visa customers in Botswana apply for their visas. Travellers from Botswana will continue to submit their visa applications as they do now to the British High Commission in Gaborone. The applications will be sent by courier to Pretoria, where they will be processed and returned to the High Commission in Gaborone. There will be no extra charge for this service. The minimum estimated waiting time for a visa to be issued will be 5 working days.

The British High Commission therefore advises all applicants to apply as early as possible to avoid any travel difficulties. Applicants may apply using the on-line application link through www.visas4uk.fco.gov.uk. All applicants will still be required to visit the High Commission for biometric fingerscans and digital photographs. Details about the visa application process, application forms and information leaflets can be obtained from UKVisas on www.ukvisas.gov.uk.

The British High Commission would like to reassure travellers that the British Government remains committed to providing a secure and efficient visa service for Botswana citizens and other visa nationals wishing to travel to the UK.

18 February 2008