The United Kingdom has announced that all Botswana nationals must now obtain a visa before traveling to Britain, including for short visits, effective immediately from 14 October 2025.
Botswana, a Commonwealth partner, faces the new restriction due to what the U.K. government called a “misuse of the immigration system.” Officials said the decision followed a sharp rise in Botswana nationals claiming asylum upon or after arrival in the U.K. since 2022.
The move mirrors the 2009 visa restrictions imposed on South Africans after widespread passport fraud and illegal working concerns, a development that reshaped regional travel patterns at the time.
U.K. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said the decision was necessary to “disrupt and deter the abuse of our immigration system.”
The new requirement comes with a significant financial burden — a six-month multiple-entry visa currently costs £127 (P2,269 or R2,943).
Echoes of 2009: History repeating itself
In 2009, South Africans lost their visa-free access to the U.K. amid concerns over compromised passports and fraudulent documentation. British authorities then cited large numbers of people entering the U.K. with genuine South African passports obtained illicitly, while others overstayed or worked illegally.
South Africa’s Home Affairs ministry admitted at the time that the country’s apartheid legacy had left millions undocumented, making fraudulent documentation easier. Despite efforts to meet British security standards, the U.K. went ahead, citing persistent “serious concerns.”
Botswana’s new travel reality
Unlike South Africa’s passport security issues, the challenge facing Botswana centers on asylum claims. The British High Commission in Gaborone said it has expanded the Visa Application Centre’s operating days from three to five per week to manage the expected surge in applications.
Travelers from Botswana who obtained an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before 14 October 2025 have until 25 November 2025 to enter the U.K. without a visa. After that date, all Botswana citizens must apply for a visa, underscoring Britain’s tightening border regime — even toward longstanding Commonwealth partners.
Agencies