GOV.BW

Accreditation of new Heads of Diplomatic Missions, Honorary Consul and Heads of International Organisations accredited to the Republic of Botswana

A new Ambassador/High Commissioner will be met on his arrival in Gaborone by a representative of the Protocol department, provided that travel arrangements including the date and hour of arrival and port of entry have been notified to the Ministry of International Affairs and Cooperation in advance.

If the Ambassador/High Commissioner is traveling by road, the Ministry of International Affairs and Cooperation will facilitate his/her entry into the Republic of Botswana by informing the frontier authorities of his/her arrival, provided the date and hour of his/her passage through the border have been notified to the Ministry well in advance.

For the Non-resident Ambassador/High Commissioners, the Ministry of International Affairs and Cooperation shall provide transport at the time when the Ambassador/High Commissioner arrives to present credentials and during the farewell call on the Head of State. No transport is provided during routine visits.

Members of the Diplomatic Corps are entitled to purchase/import motor vehicles other than trucks, tractors or other commercial types of vehicles without any charges for duty or VAT. These are then provided with diplomatic vehicle registration. All imported vehicles must be registered with the Ministry of International Affairs and Cooperation, and only a maximum of two vehicles are allowed per married couple and one for an unmarried Diplomat. Vehicles registered to the individual members of the Diplomatic Corps are to be retained in their possession in Botswana for a minimum period of 2 years in order to enjoy VAT exemption benefits. To dispose locally or export Diplomatic vehicles requires written permission from the Ministry of International Affairs and Cooperation.

Diplomatic Missions, International Organisations, Consular Offices, certain Technical Assistance Organisations and diplomatic agents are relieved from payment of VAT and Customs Duty. The rebate in respect of imported goods and services will apply to the extent provided under the Customs and Excise rebate item 406.00. For local purchases, VAT must be paid, and a refund may be granted in accordance with the requirements of the Value Added Tax Act.

The legal authority for a refund of tax to persons enjoying diplomatic immunity are found in Section 43 of the Value Added Tax Act as amended with the Diplomatic Immunities and Privileges Act (Cap: 39.01) and Section 14 and Item 406.00 as specified in the Third Schedule of the Value Added Tax Act Section 43(4).

Members of the Diplomatic Corps are required to process their purchases for dutiable items through the Ministry of International Affairs and Cooperation for them to be afforded tax exemption or to benefit from rebates on certain items.

Members of the diplomatic community accredited to the Republic of Botswana shall be issued with an exemption certificate in lieu of a residence permit.

The department shall facilitate issuance of exemption certificates for members of family forming part of the household of the diplomatic agent as follows:

• ​Exemption Certificates
  Family members that include spouse and children under the age of 18 are issued with exemption certificates. In addition to a Note Verbale, Application for Exemption Certificate copy of passport and two passport sized photographs, the application for an exemption certificate for spouse and children below 18 years of age shall also be accompanied by a copy of a marriage certificate and birth certificate respectively.
• Residence Permits
  Family members that include children over the age of 18 and less than 25, dependent children over the age of 25 and dependent parents over the age of 65 shall be issued with Residence Permits as follows.  

Provision of Diplomatic Identity Cards (IDs) to the Diplomatic agents and their spouses. Children of the diplomats are not entitled to the Diplomatic IDs.