Botswana Passport Fees 2026: P260 Until December, P400 From January

A Botswana passport still costs P260 for an adult and P100 for a child. That changes on 1 January 2027, when the adult fee goes up to P400.

So if you need a passport in the next few weeks, applying before the end of December saves you P140. Below: the fees now and from January, what to bring, and what happens if you've lost your passport. Fees checked in November 2026.

How much is a Botswana passport in 2026?

Until 31 December 2026, an ordinary Botswana passport costs P260 for anyone aged 16 and over, and P100 for a child under 16. Replacing a lost or stolen passport costs P1,260. These are the fees Botswana's embassies publish, for example the mission in Geneva and the embassy in Berlin.

The P260 fee has not changed since the e-passport came in during March 2010. That's why most websites still show it, and for now they're right.

When does the new P400 passport fee start?

The new fees start on 1 January 2027. The Ministry of Labour and Home Affairs first planned them for April 2026, then moved them to 1 November 2026. On 3 November it postponed them again so people could apply at the old price over the festive season (Daily News, 3 November 2026).

Some news stories and social media posts from late October say the increase started on 1 November. It didn't. The postponement came two days later.

What are the new passport fees from January 2027?

The new fees are as reported by Daily News and Gabz FM in October 2026. The government says a passport costs far more to make than the fee, and that the increase covers imported materials and specialised printers.

Even at P400, Botswana stays at the cheaper end of the region. A Zimbabwe passport costs US$170 (see our Zimbabwe passport fees guide), while Lesotho charges M130 for an ordinary passport, as our Lesotho passport guide explains.

What do you need to apply for a Botswana passport?

Adults (16 and over)

• A valid Omang
• Two recent full-colour passport photos
• Your previous passport, if you've had one
• Your parents' details: Omang numbers, dates and places of birth, and home address

You fill in the application form at the office. It's a security document, so you can't download it.

Your Omang must be valid. If it has expired, renew it first, or apply for both at once and expect the passport to wait until the new Omang is ready. Renewing an Omang costs only P5, as our Omang renewal guide shows.

Children (under 16)

• The child's birth certificate
• A parent's valid Omang
• Two full-colour passport photos of the child
• The child's previous passport, if any
• Proof of citizenship if a parent was once a foreign national (naturalisation or registration certificate)

A parent or guardian fills in the form, and the child must come along. For children with dual citizenship, the passport is only valid until the child turns 21, when they have to choose one citizenship.

How do you apply?

1. Check your Omang. It must be valid on the day you apply.
2. Get two colour passport photos and gather the documents above.
3. Go to a Department of Immigration and Citizenship office, or a Botswana embassy if you live abroad.
4. Fill in the application form there, with a black pen.
5. Pay the fee: P260 for an adult or P100 for a child until 31 December.
6. Give your fingerprints and keep the receipt for collection.

Expect queues before the deadline. As the first increase date got close, the department took over a thousand applications across the country in a single day.

What if your passport is lost or stolen?

Report it to the police first and get a police report. Then apply with your valid Omang, the police report and two colour photos. Some embassies also ask for a short letter explaining how you lost it.

A replacement costs P1,260 until 31 December 2026, and P2,000 after that. That's almost five times the normal fee, so keep your passport somewhere safe and keep a photo of the data page on your phone.

If you're stuck abroad and need to travel home urgently, ask the nearest Botswana embassy about an emergency travel document. It costs P12 now and P100 from January.

Applying from abroad

Botswana embassies take passport applications and charge the same fee in local currency. The Geneva mission asks for CHF 18.20 for an adult passport, and Berlin asks for EUR 26. Both want cash or proof of payment.

The passport is printed in Botswana and sent back to the embassy, so allow more time than you would at home.

Mistakes that cost you money

• Waiting until January. On 1 January the adult fee jumps by P140 and a child's doubles.
• Applying with an expired Omang. Your passport waits for the new Omang.
• Losing your passport. Replacing it costs far more than a new one.
• Paying an agent. You apply in person and pay at the office. No agent can skip the queue for you.
• Bringing black and white photos. Passport photos must be in colour. (The Omang is the one that uses black and white.)

If you're drawing the fee in cash from a mobile wallet, check the withdrawal fee first. Our Orange Money and MyZaka charges guide shows what each amount costs. For more Botswana guides, see our Botswana page.

Frequently asked questions

How much is a passport in Botswana right now?

P260 for an adult (16 and over) and P100 for a child under 16, until 31 December 2026. From 1 January 2027 they rise to P400 and P200.

Did Botswana passport fees go up on 1 November 2026?

No. The increase was planned for 1 November, but the Ministry of Labour and Home Affairs postponed it on 3 November 2026. The new fees now start on 1 January 2027.

How much does it cost to replace a lost Botswana passport?

P1,260 until 31 December 2026 and P2,000 from 1 January 2027. You need a police report, a valid Omang and two colour photos.

Can I renew my Botswana passport online?

No. You apply in person at a Department of Immigration and Citizenship office or a Botswana embassy, where your fingerprints are taken and the form is filled in.

Do I need a valid Omang to get a passport?

Yes, if you're 16 or over. If your Omang has expired, renew it first, because the passport can't be processed until you have a valid one.

How much is a child's passport in Botswana?

P100 for a child under 16 until 31 December 2026, then P200. A parent or guardian applies, and the child must come in person.