Botswana: Official Explains Citizenship Application Process
Published: 1/Mar/2010
Source: Mmegi (Gaborone)
Many foreigners think that it is almost impossible to get Botswana citizenship regardless of how long one has stayed in the country.
By Joyce Grey
Some foreigners say that they have lived in Botswana and brought development and investment to the country but their attempts to become citizens have failed. Some say that their applications are rejected or take several years to be considered. However, a spokesman for the Ministry of Labour and Home Affairs, Letso Mpho has said that the time taken to get a response to a citizenship applicants differs according to what an individual wants.
Application for citizenship through naturalisation takes an average of two years to be approved or rejected.
The process involves, vetting, gazetting of names at Attorney General Chambers for 30 days, quarterly interviews.
Recommendations are done in December only before the minister’s final decision and notice to the applicant.
Mpho said that a maximum of 200 applicants can acquire citizenship through naturalisation in a year. He explained that application for naturalisation of spouses who have been in the country for a period of five years or more takes an average of a yeary or less to be approved or rejected.
Read further.