High Commission of India

Gaborone, Botswana

Visa for foreign nationals 

Foreign nationals travelling to India are required to carry a valid visa. A visa is a travelling permit granted by an Indian Mission, and it allows the holder to visit India. The visa type is determined by the purpose of travel.  The validity of visa will begin from the day of issue and not from the date of travel.

General document requirements: 

• Printout of online filled Visa application form duly signed by the applicant (https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/index.html)
• Passport with at least six months’ validity at the time of travel and at least two blank pages (please note that validity of the visa issued can only be till the expiry of passport)
• Two recent colour photos - one pasted on the application form (size 5 x 5 cm, white background, front view) and one for official record
• Other than Botswana nationals: A copy of a valid residence permit or any other document confirming the period of stay of the applicant in Botswana

Please note that the High Commission issues only regular/paper visa and is not involved in eVisa which is issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in India.

For Minors: 

• Written permission from parents (in English) in own words.
• Document confirming the relationship with the minor
• Self attested Passport copies of parents
• In addition to documents mentioned above, the High Commission may request additional documents, if necessary. The applicants are required to provide the documents requested in the same form as determined by the High Commission.

Application submission and Visa Collection timings:

Visa Application submission: 0900 hrs. to 1200 hrs. on all working days

Visa collection: 1530 hrs. to 1630 hrs. on all working days.

Note: No prior appointment is required. For more information please call us on +267 3972676 or drop an email on cons.gaborone@mea.gov.in

Other requirements as per visa type:

Tourist Visa

•   Duly signed hard copy of the visa application filled online 

• Travel itinerary (confirmed Air tickets)
• Bank statement for the last 3 months with sufficient balance for your stay in India
• Additional documents may be sought at the discretion of High Commission

Business Visa 

• Duly signed hard copy of the visa application filled online 

• Hard copy of Guarantee letter from the sending company (the letter must mention the requested visa duration and indicate who will be financially responsible for the applicant)
• Hard copy of personal invitation from the receiving company in India
• For nationals other than Botswana, minimum two years stay in Botswana is mandatory (for less than 2 years stay, one can apply from their home country)
• Travel itinerary (confirmed Air tickets)
• Additional documents may be sought at the discretion of High Commission

Conference Visa 

• Duly signed hard copy of the visa application filled online 

• Personal invitation from the conference organizers
• No objection certificates/clearance issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA)
• Confirmation/Recommendation letter from the Employer, if the participation is sponsored by the employer
• Travel itinerary (confirmed Air tickets)
• Additional documents may be sought at the discretion of High Commission

Student Visa 

• Duly signed hard copy of the visa application filled online 

• Acceptance/Admission letter from the recognized Indian School/University/Institute
• Letter from the Botswana School/University/Institute (under student exchange programme)
• Consent letter from both the parents in case of minor going for school education
• Travel itinerary (confirmed Air tickets)
• Additional documents may be sought at the discretion of High Commission

Medical Visa/Medical Attendant Visa 

• Duly signed hard copy of the visa application filled online 

• Hard copy of the Invitation Letter from Hospital in India where the treatment is to be taken from
• Hard copy of recommendation/referral letter from the hospital in Botswana (justifying the requirement/necessitating treatment in India)
• Supporting documents for the treatment taken in Botswana for the disease/ailment
• Travel itinerary (confirmed Air tickets)
• Additional documents may be sought at the discretion of High Commission

Employment Visa 

• Duly signed hard copy of the visa application filled online 

• Employment contract in English
• Personal invitation from the Indian employer
• Certificate of Incorporation of Employing company
• Additional documents at the discretion of High Commission

Entry Visa 

• Duly signed hard copy of the visa application filled online 

• If the applicant is of Indian origin (born Indian) and has held an Indian passport in the past (one of the documents mentioned below to be attached with the application form):

        A copy of their “Surrender Certificate” or A copy of their cancelled Indian passport

If the applicant is Spouse of Indian national/person of Indian origin, following documents are required to be submitted along with the application form

copy of marriage certificate

copy of passport/Surrender Certificate of Indian Passport/OCI Card issued to the Spouse of the applicant.

In case of a minor child, Birth Certificate and Marriage Certificate of the parents with a consent letter signed by both parents

In case of Single parent, a copy of custody letter from the court.

 *Additional documents at the discretion of High Commission

ADVISORIES

Please read Visa-related detailed instructions/guidelines at https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/instruction.html

Those travelling to India are also advised to go through instructions available on the website of Bureau of Immigration at https://boi.gov.in

Each visa application is considered on its merit and High Commission of India, Gaborone may ask for any additional information at any stage during the processing of the application. Submission of application along with prescribed fees does not guarantee issuance of visa.  Once the visa application has been approved, the applicant will be informed to visit High Commission and submit bio-metric information to complete the process of obtaining visa. At present applicants under the age of 12 years and above the age of 70 years are exempt from this biometrics requirement.

Applicant's passport has to be valid for a minimum of six months from his/her date of departure from India, having at least 2 blank pages.

Applicants holding nationalities other than Botswana please note that in order to apply visa here they need to submit proof of long-term stay (minimum three years) and that it involves extra processing time.

Visitors intending to stay for more than six months (6 months) in India on a long-term visa, need to register themselves with the concerned local Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO), within fifteen days (15 days) of arrival in India.

JOURNALISTS and those seeking Visa for RESEARCH or FILMING in India have to fill up separate forms and provide additional information. The High Commission has to seek clearance for such visas from the Government of India in New Delhi which takes longer processing time. Applicants should, therefore, submit their documents at least 8-10 weeks in advance.

Note: (a) Granting of Visa is at the sole discretion of the High Commission. Refusal of Visa cannot be challenged under any circumstances

(b) Visa fee for all types of visa are mentioned in Visa Fee tab under Consular Services of the Mission’s website.

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