CHAPTER 01:01
CITIZENSHIP
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
SECTION
1. Short title
2. Interpretation
3. Establishment of Citizenship Committee
4. Citizenship by birth
5. Citizenship by descent
6. Citizenship by settlement
7. Citizenship by adoption
8. Registration of adopted child over three years old
9. Registration of a minor child of citizen
10. President’s power to register citizens
11. Effect of registration as a citizen
12. Naturalisation
13. Qualifications for naturalisation
14. Naturalisation of foreign spouse
15. Dual citizenship
16. Renunciation of citizenship by reason of dual citizenship or nationality
17. Resumption of citizenship
18. Deprivation of citizenship
19. Commonwealth citizen
20. Posthumous children
21. Certificate of citizenship in case of doubt
22. Decision of Minister to be final
23. Evidence
24. Offences
25. Regulations
26. Preservation of existing citizenship
27. Saving
Act 8, 1998,
Act 9, 2002,
Act 1, 2004,
Act 23, 2024,
S.I. 64, 2025.
An Act to re-enact with amendments the provisions relating to the acquisition and loss of citizenship of Botswana and for matters related thereto.
[Date of Commencement: 24th April, 1998]
This Act may be cited as the Citizenship Act.
In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires—
“certificate of naturalisation” means a certificate of naturalisation under this Act;
“child” includes a child born out of wedlock, and the expressions “father”, “mother” and “parent” shall be construed accordingly;
“citizen” includes—
(a) a person who had acquired Botswana citizenship at the time of independence;
(b) a person born either in or outside of Botswana to a parent who was a citizen at the time of his or her birth;
(c) any person registered as an adopted child of a citizen;
(d) any foundling registered as a citizen on the basis of presumption of birth in Botswana; or
(e) any person born to a parent who was a citizen of Botswana who subsequently renounced their citizenship of Botswana before that person’s birth;
[23 of 2024, s. 2.]
“dual citizen” means a person who is a citizen of Botswana by birth or descent who has acquired the citizenship of another country;
[23 of 2024, s. 2.]
“foundling” means an abandoned child under the age of seven years;
[23 of 2024, s. 2.]
“prescribed” means prescribed by regulations.
3. Establishment of Citizenship Committee
(1) There is hereby established a committee to be known as the Citizenship Committee which shall be responsible for considering every application for naturalisation made under this Act and making recommendations thereon to the Minister.
(2) The Committee shall consist of the following persons—
(a) three persons from the general public appointed by the Minister, one of whom shall be appointed Chairman of the Committee by the Minister;
(b) one member of the National Assembly appointed by the Minister who shall be Vice-Chairman of the Committee;
(c) the Commissioner of Police or his representative who shall be of a rank of not less than Assistant Commissioner of Police;
(d) the Deputy Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Home Affairs;
(e) the Deputy Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Commerce and Industry; and
(f) one member of the Ntlo ya Dikgosi appointed by the Minister.
(3) The members appointed under this section shall hold office for three years, but shall be eligible for re-appointment.
(4) The Committee shall regulate its own rules of procedure in considering applications for naturalisation.
(5) A person appointed as a member of the Citizenship Committee under subsection (2) shall be paid such remuneration and allowances as may be determined.
(6) The Secretary of the Committee shall be the Chief Immigration Officer, or his representative.
(7) In the exercise of his functions under section 12, the Minister shall consult the Citizenship Committee.
(1) A person shall be a citizen of Botswana by birth—
(a) if at the time of birth, his mother or father was a citizen;
(b) in the case of a foundling below the age of seven years, and the High Court has made a ruling for the infant to be presumed as a citizen; and
(c) if at the time of birth, the parent to that person had renounced their citizenship of Botswana by virtue of the law then.
[23 of 2024, s. 3.]
(2) Any person who, with the intention of having citizenship conferred on a child—
(a) brings a child below the age of five years into Botswana; and
(b) conspires or unlawfully assists or facilitates a foundling child,
shall be liable to a fine of P50 000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 10 years, or both.
[23 of 2024, s. 3.]
(1) A person born outside Botswana shall be a citizen of Botswana by descent if, at the time of his birth, his father or mother was a citizen of Botswana.
(2) A person born before the commencement of this Act shall not be a citizen by virtue of this section unless such person was a citizen at the time of such commencement.
A person who is not a citizen of any country, or has no right to any citizenship or nationality and has legally lived as a member of a particular community in Botswana for a continuous period of 20 years, shall on making a declaration in such form as may be prescribed, be entitled to be registered as a citizen of Botswana.
[23 of 2024, s. 4.]
A child of not more than three years old adopted under the provisions of any written law relating to the adoption of children shall, if such a child was not a citizen at the date of such adoption, become a citizen by adoption on the date of such adoption if the adopter or, in the case of a joint adoption, one of the adopters was at the date of adoption a citizen.
8. Registration of adopted child over three years old
The Minister may cause a child of over three years old adopted by a citizen of Botswana under the provisions of any written law relating to the adoption of children to be registered as a citizen, if such a child was not a citizen at the date of the adoption, upon application made in the prescribed manner by the adopter.
Provided that the Minister shall not cause a child to be registered as a citizen of Botswana under this section if the Minister is satisfied that the child, being sufficiently mature to have formed a character, is not of good character.
9. Registration of a minor child of citizen
The Minister may cause a person under 21 years, if such person was not a citizen of Botswana by birth or descent and whose father or mother has become a citizen of Botswana, to be registered as a citizen of Botswana upon application made in the prescribed manner by the father or the mother, as the case may be.
10. President’s power to register citizens
The President may cause to be registered as a citizen—
(a) any person, as a token of honour, who in his opinion has done signal honour or rendered distinguished service to Botswana; or
(b) any person not otherwise entitled to or eligible for citizenship of Botswana with respect to whom special circumstances exist which, in the opinion of the President, warrant such registration.
11. Effect of registration as a citizen
A person registered under section 8, 9, or 10 shall be a citizen of Botswana by registration from the date on which such person is registered.
The Minister may grant a certificate of naturalisation to a person of full age and capacity who satisfies the Minister that he or she is qualified under section 13 for naturalisation, and that person shall, on taking the oath of allegiance, be a citizen of Botswana by naturalisation from the date on which the certificate is granted.
13. Qualifications for naturalisation
(1) Subject to subsection (2), the qualifications for naturalisation of any person shall be that—
(a) he or she has been resident in Botswana for a continuous period of 12 months immediately preceding the date of his or her application for a certificate of naturalisation;
(b) …
[1 of 2004, s. 2.]
(c) during the period of 12 years immediately preceding the period of 12 months prescribed by paragraph (a), he or she has been resident in Botswana for periods amounting in the aggregate to not less than 10 years;
(d) he or she is of good character;
(e) he or she has sufficient knowledge of the Setswana language or any language spoken by any tribal community in Botswana; and
(f) he or she intends, in the event of a certificate of naturalisation being granted, to reside in Botswana.
(2) Where the Minister is of the opinion that special circumstances exist he may allow—
(a) a continuous period of 12 months’ residence in Botswana, ending not more than six months before the date of the application for a certificate of naturalisation, to be reckoned for the purposes of subsection (1)(a) as if that period had immediately preceded that date;
(b) periods of residence earlier than 13 years immediately preceding the date of application for a certificate of naturalisation to be reckoned for the purposes of subsection (1)(c).
(2A) The Minister may, where special circumstances exist, award citizenship to an applicant who fails to satisfy the language requirement mentioned under subsection (1)(e).
[9 of 2002, s. 2.]
(3) Where an applicant has made an application for a certificate of naturalisation under subsection (1), the Minister shall cause a notice of the application to be published in the Gazette and in a newspaper circulating in the district in which the applicant resides and the publication shall be displayed in such public offices and places as may be determined by the Minister.
(4) Where a notice is published in accordance with subsection (3), any person who objects to the applicant being granted a certificate of naturalisation shall, within 30 days immediately after publication of the notice, notify the Minister in writing of his or her objection and of the grounds therefor.
(5) Before granting a certificate of naturalisation under section 12 the Minister shall take into consideration any objection of which he has been notified in accordance with subsection (4).
14. Naturalisation of foreign spouse
(1) The Minister may at any time grant a certificate of naturalisation to a foreign spouse who is married to a citizen of Botswana and, has not since remarried and who satisfied the Minister that he or she is otherwise qualified under subsection (2) for naturalisation in terms of this section, and that spouse shall, on taking the oath of allegiance, be a citizen of Botswana by naturalisation from the date on which the certificate is granted.
(2) Subject to subsections (1) and (3), the qualifications for naturalisation in terms of this section for any foreign spouse shall be that—
(a) that spouse is resident in Botswana on the date of such application for a certificate of naturalisation and has been resident in Botswana for a continuous period of or for periods amounting in the aggregate to not less than five years;
(b) that spouse has, not later than two and a half years immediately before the date of application for a certificate of naturalisation, lodged with the Minister a written declaration of intention to make such an application;
(c) that spouse is of good character;
(d) that spouse has sufficient knowledge of the Setswana language or any language spoken by any tribal community in Botswana;
(e) that spouse intends, in the event of a certificate of naturalisation being granted, to reside in Botswana.
(3) The Minister may, in the special circumstances of any particular case, waive or accept a shorter period of the resident requirements mentioned in subsection (2)(a) and (b).
(3A) The Minister may, where special circumstances exist, award citizenship to the foreign spouse of a citizen who does not satisfy the language requirement mentioned under subsection (2)(d).
[9 of 2002, s. 3.]
(4) Section 13(3), (4) and (5) shall apply, with such modifications as may be considered necessary in the case of an application for the grant of a certificate of naturalisation under this section.
(1) Any person who is a citizen of Botswana and also a citizen of another country, shall upon attaining the age of 18 years, continue to be a citizen, unless by a voluntary and formal act, he or she renounces his or her citizenship of Botswana.
[23 of 2024, s. 5.]
(2) A citizen of Botswana who acquires the citizenship of another country as a consequence of marriage shall remain a citizen of Botswana irrespective of place of residence, unless such a person renounces his or her citizenship by a voluntary and formal act.
[23 of 2024, s. 5.]
(3) Any citizen of Botswana who acquires a foreign citizenship through a formal or voluntary act shall, upon the acquisition of the foreign citizenship notify the Minister of such acquisition within a reasonable time.
[23 of 2024, s. 5.]
16. Renunciation of citizenship by reason of dual citizenship or nationality
(1) If any citizen of Botswana of full age and capacity who is also a citizen of another country makes a declaration of renunciation of citizenship of Botswana, the Minister shall, cause a declaration to be registered and, upon such registration, that person shall cease to be a citizen of Botswana.
[23 of 2024, s. 6.o]
(2) If any non-citizen of full age and capacity, who has acquired the citizenship of Botswana by registration or naturalisation, makes a declaration of renunciation of his foreign citizenship, he shall become a citizen of Botswana upon—
(a) proof of his renunciation; and
(b) having taken the oath of allegiance to Botswana.
[23 of 2024, s. 6.]
A person who ceased to be a citizen of Botswana on or after 30th September, 1966, may at any time, make a declaration in such form as may be prescribed that he or she wishes to resume citizenship of Botswana and upon registration of the declaration, he or she shall again become the citizen of Botswana.
[23 of 2024, s. 7.]
18. Deprivation of citizenship
(1) The President may by Order deprive a person of citizenship of Botswana if he or she is satisfied that the person, being a citizen of Botswana by registration or naturalisation has—
(a) failed, on being so required by the President, to renounce, within a specified time, his or her citizenship of any other country;
(b) acted in a manner contrary to the values and interests of Botswana; or
(c) endangered the peace or security of Botswana.
[23 of 2024, s. 8.]
(2) The President shall not make an Order under subsection (1), if he or she is satisfied that the Order would make a person stateless.
[23 of 2024, s. 8.]
(3) The President may, by Order, deprive a person of the citizenship of Botswana if he or she is satisfied that the person, being a citizen of Botswana by registration, has failed, on being so required by the President to take the oath of allegiance.
[23 of 2024, s. 8.]
(4) The Minister may, by Order, deprive a person of citizenship of Botswana if he or she is satisfied that the person, being a citizen of Botswana by registration or naturalisation—
(a) obtained such registration or naturalisation by means of fraud, false representation or concealment of any material fact, whether on his or her own part or on the part of some other person;
(b) has failed, on being so required by the Minister, to renounce, within a specified time, his or her citizenship of any other country;
(c) has shown himself or herself by act or speech to be disloyal or disaffected towards Botswana;
(d) during any hostilities in which Botswana was or is engaged, unlawfully traded or communicated with any enemy or was or is engaged in or associated with any business which was or is to his or her knowledge carried on in such a manner as to assist an enemy in those hostilities; or
(e) has been resident outside Botswana for a continuous period of seven years and during that period has not given notice in writing to the Minister of his or her intention to retain his or her citizenship of Botswana:
Provided that the seven year period may not be renewed more than twice unless, it is proved to the satisfaction of the Minister that special circumstances exist for such further renewal after the second renewal, and it is in the public interest to do so.
[23 of 2024, s. 8.]
(5) The Minister may, by Order, deprive a person of the citizenship of Botswana if he or she is satisfied that the person, being a citizen of Botswana by registration or naturalisation, has failed, on being so required by the Minister to take the oath of allegiance.
[23 of 2024, s. 8.]
(6) Any person whose application for citizenship was rejected by the President or Minister may, after 24 months of the rejection, re-apply for consideration.
[23 of 2024, s. 8.]
Every person who is a citizen of Botswana or of any Commonwealth country shall, by virtue of that citizenship, also have the status of a Commonwealth citizen.
Any reference in this Act to the status or description of a parent of a person at the time of that person’s birth shall, if such person was born after the death of that parent, be construed as a reference to the status or description of that person at the time of the parent’s death.
21. Certificate of citizenship in case of doubt
The Minister may, on application made by or on behalf of any person with respect to whose citizenship of Botswana a doubt exists, whether on a question of fact or law, certify that the person is a citizen of Botswana; and a certificate issued under this section shall, unless it is proved that it was obtained by means of fraud, false representation or concealment of any material fact, be conclusive evidence that that person was a citizen on the date thereof, without prejudice to any evidence that such person was a citizen at an earlier date.
22. Decision of Minister to be final
The Minister shall not be required to assign any reason for any decision taken under any of the provisions of this Act and no such decision shall be subject to appeal or review in any court.
Every document or a certified copy thereof purporting to be a notice, certificate, order or declaration, or an entry in a register, or a subscription to an oath of allegiance, given, granted or made under this Act shall be received in evidence and shall, unless the contrary is proved, be deemed to have been given, granted or made by or on behalf of the person by whom or on whose behalf it purports to have been given, granted or made.
Any person who—
(a) for the purpose of procuring anything to be done or not to be done under this Act, makes any statement which he knows to be false or does not believe to be true in any material particular shall be guilty of an offence and on conviction thereof shall be liable to a term of imprisonment not exceeding five years or to a fine not exceeding P5 000, or to both; or
(b) fails to comply with any requirement imposed on him by instrument made under this Act shall be guilty of an offence and on conviction thereof shall be liable to a term of imprisonment not exceeding 12 months or to a fine not exceeding P1 000.
The Minister may, by statutory instrument, make regulations for anything required to be prescribed or generally for the carrying into effect the provisions of this Act.
26. Preservation of existing citizenship
Every person who was a citizen of Botswana at the commencement of this Act shall remain a citizen notwithstanding the repeal of the Citizenship Act (Act 25 of 1982).
Notwithstanding the repeal of the enactment effected by section 26, every statutory instrument made under the enactment and in force on the day immediately before the commencement of this Act shall continue in force as if such instrument had been made under this Act.