Application for Nonimmigrant Visas

The U.S. Embassy in Gaborone provides routing nonimmigrant visa interview appointments to citizens and residents of Botswana.

The purpose of your intended travel and other facts will determine what type of visa is required under U.S. immigration law. As a visa applicant, you will need to establish that you meet all requirements to receive the category of visa for which you are applying. See our Directory of Visa Categories usvisas.state.gov to determine which visa category might be appropriate for your purpose of travel to the United States.

Prioritization of Student Visa Applicants

If you are a citizen or resident of Botswana and you have been unable to secure a nonimmigrant visa interview appointment prior to the start date of your school in the United States, please complete the following steps:

1. Complete your DS-160 application using the instructions at: https://bw.usembassy.gov/visas/nonimmigrant-visas-tourism-visit/how-to-apply/
2. Schedule the first available appointment you find via the online system
3. Email our office at ConsularGaborone@state.gov with your DS-160 confirmation number (the code beginning with AA00), a copy of your I-20 form and proof of SEVIS payment, documentation of your new acceptance or ongoing attendance at a school in the U.S., and proof of your citizenship or residency in Botswana.

Based on this information, we may be able to expedite your interview date, and we will respond to you as quickly as possible. The Consular Section will endeavor to prioritize these appointments based on availability but cannot guarantee an expedited appointment in all circumstances.

Please note that this prioritization is only applicable for student and exchange visitor applicants and their dependents (F, M, and J visa classes).

Nonimmigrant Visa Appointments for Non-Residents

Nonimmigrant visa interview appointments for individuals who do not live in Botswana are available ONLY on the second or fourth Thursday of each month. (For example, appointments for non-residents will be available in 2023 on January 12 and 26, February 9 and 23, March 9 and 23, April 13 and 27, May 11 and 25, etc.). Appointment wait times for non-residents will likely be several months long. Appointments booked by non-residents on any other date than the second or fourth Thursday of each month will automatically be cancelled.

Important information for nonimmigrant visa applicants living outside of Botswana: If your visa application is approved, please allow approximately two business days to enable visa processing. It is necessary to leave your passport at our embassy during this time. We recommend that you plan your travel to Botswana with this in mind.

Expedited Appointment Requests

It is possible that a date for a visa interview will not be available. Please prepare your DS-160 application and check the online calendar on our website regularly. New slots can become available at any time. If you are resident in Botswana or are a Botswana citizen and have urgent need to travel, send an email to us at ConsularGaborone@state.gov, provide a scan of your DS-160 confirmation page, your proof of residency in Botswana, and explain why your travel is urgent. We cannot accommodate requests for expedited appointments from non-residents.

Please note that, while we make every effort to honor the appointments we offer, interviews may be cancelled or postponed at the last minute due to unexpected circumstances.