We would like to make the following clarification:
1. There are no new immigration rules or regulations with respect to visitors.
2. Section 17 (1) of the Immigration Act CAP 25:02 provides that:
"Subject to this Act, a visitor may remain in Botswana for period not exceeding 90 days as may be specified in a visitor's permit, in such form as may be approved by the Minister, issued to the visitor by an Immigration Officer and signed by that officer:
Provided that a visitor shall not remain in Botswana for more than 90 days in aggregate in any one year unless -
(i) he is authorized by the Chief Immigration Officer to do so;"
3. Regulation 14 provides that:
(a) The written authority of the Chief Immigration Officer for a visitor to remain in Botswana for more than 90 days, in terms of the proviso to Section 17(1) of the Act, shall be in form 14, set out in the Schedule.
(b) An application for authority to remain in Botswana for more than 90 days, in terms of the proviso to section 17(1) of the Act, shall, if made prior to the expiration of 90 days, be accompanied by a fee of P25.
(c) An application for authority to remain in Botswana for more than 90 days, in terms of the proviso to section 17(1) of the Act, shall, if made after the expiration of 90 days, be accompanied by a fee of P100.
4. The notice, which was the source of the newspaper article, was a reminder to the public on the relevant provision of the law and that requests for extension be made less than 14 days before expiry of the authorized period of visit.
5. The Notice was also a reminder to the Immigration Officials that Form 14 should be used at all times.
