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Botswana Travel Requirements for MinorsChildren under 18 travelling to Botswana alone or with their parents or guardians need to adhere to these regulations
The government of Botswana in 2016 issued regulations regarding the
travel of children
under the age of 18 through the ports of entry:
1. In addition to having a valid passport with valid
visa
(if applicable), children under the age of 18 are required to present a certified copy of their unabridged birth certificate, which is one the shows the particulars of a minor and those of the parents.
2. If the child is travelling with only one of his/her parents, they must have an affidavit from the other parent allowing the travel of the child in their absence. However, in the instance
that one of the child's parents is not named on the birth certificate, an affidavit
is not required.
These are the basic rules, but of-course there are always exceptions and special situations, so the simple rules
above will need more clarity.
In the table below, you will find more specific information for different
circumstances:
| DESCRIPTION |
REQUIREMENTS |
| Minor travelling with both parents |
• Valid Passport;
• Valid visa, if required;
• Unabridged Birth Certificate (Birth Certificate containing the particulars of a minor and those of his or her parent or parents) |
| Minor travelling with one parent |
• Valid passport;
• Valid visa, if required;
• Unabridged Birth Certificate (Birth Certificate containing the particulars of a minor and those of his or her parent or parents)
NOTE: In the case of single parents, where only one parent’s particulars appear on the Unabridged Birth Certificate, a consent letter is not required. In the case where parents were never married but both parents’ particulars appear on the Unabridged Birth Certificate, a consent Affidavit by a non-travelling parent administered by any Commissioner of Oath is required. |
| Minor travelling with one parent who is divorced or legally separated and who has been granted full parental responsibilities and rights (previously called ―sole custody) or full legal guardianship in respect of the minor |
• Valid Passport;
• Valid visa, if required;
• Unabridged Birth Certificate (Birth Certificate containing the particulars of a minor and those of his or her parent or parents)
• Court order granting full parental responsibilities and rights (previously called sole custody) or full legal guardianship in respect of the minor. |
| Minor travelling with one parent who is divorced or legally separated and who has been granted specific parental responsibilities and rights (previously called ―joint custody) or legal guardianship in respect of the minor |
• Valid Passport;
• Valid visa, if required;
• Unabridged Birth Certificate (Birth Certificate containing the particulars of a minor and those of his or her parent or parents)
• Court order granting specific parental responsibilities and rights (previously called joint custody) or joint legal guardianship in respect of the minor;
• Parental Consent Affidavit from the remaining parent is required.
NOTE: Where the accompanying parent presents a Parental Consent Affidavit and both parents’ names on the Unabridged Birth Certificate correspond with the names on the Parental Consent Affidavit and the travelling parent’s passport, a court order granting specific parental responsibilities and rights or joint legal guardianship may be dispensed with. |
| Minor travelling with widow or widower parent |
• Valid Passport;
• Valid visa, if required;
• Unabridged Birth Certificate (Birth Certificate containing the particulars of a minor and those of his or her parent or parents)
• Death certificate of the deceased parent |
| Orphaned minor where no formal order of guardianship or adoption has been granted as yet |
• Valid Passport;
• Valid visa, if required;
• Letter of Special Circumstances from the Department of Social Services. |
| Minor accompanied by a person who is not his or her biological parent |
• Valid Passport;
• Valid visa, if required;
• Unabridged Birth Certificate (Birth Certificate containing the particulars of a minor and those of his or her parent or parents) or Parental Consent Affidavit.
Where a Parental Consent Affidavit is presented:
• Copies of the identity documents or passports of the parents or legal
guardian of the minor;
• Contact details of the parents or legal guardian of the minor; and contact details of the person in whose care the minor will be. |
| Minor accompanied by his or her adoptive parent(s) |
• Valid Passport;
• Valid visa, if required;
• Unabridged Birth Certificate (Birth Certificate containing the particulars of a minor and those of his or her parent or parents of the minor reflecting particulars of adoptive parent(s) or a court order confirming the adoption of the minor by the adoptive parent(s) accompanying him or her.
NOTE: Where only one of the adoptive parents is travelling with the minor or where such a minor is travelling unaccompanied, the Parental Consent Affidavit will still be required by the absent adoptive parent(s) or in the case of a deceased adoptive parent, a copy of such parent’s death certificate. |
| Unaccompanied Minor |
• Valid Passport;
• Valid visa, if required;
• Unabridged Birth Certificate (Birth Certificate containing the particulars of a minor and those of his or her parent or parents)
• Parental Consent Affidavit administered by any Commissioner of Oath
• Letter from the person who is to receive the minor at the destination, containing his or her residential address and contact details where the minor will be residing;
• Copy of the identity document or valid passport and visa or permanent residence permit of the person who is to receive the minor at the destination;
• Contact details of the parents or legal guardian. |
| Child in alternative care e.g foster care |
• Valid Passport;
• Valid visa, if required;
• Letter from the Department of Social Development where the child resides authorising his or her departure from the Botswana. |
You can visit your nearest Botswana embassy if you need further clarification. See the list
of embassies around the world on our Botswana Visa
page.
Last update: 28 June 2022
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