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Complete, verified list of documents required for Botswana citizens applying for a German Tourist (Schengen C visa) visa. Includes authentication method, cost estimates, and processing times — based on official German embassy data.
Préfecture in your city of residence
Local photographer — request 35×45mm biometric format
Download from the German mission's website or the visa centre (VFS / TLScontact)
Your airline or online booking site
Your employer, university, or property registry
Your bank
Online: Coracle, MAWISTA, DR-WALTER, Allianz Travel
Hotel, hostel, Airbnb confirmation — or a host's signed invitation letter
Paid at your appointment (cash or card — check with the visa centre)
The German embassy, consulate or authorised visa centre (VFS Global, TLScontact) for your country
Adjust your education level, family situation and other options for an exact list.
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Citizens of Botswana need a Schengen C visa (also called a short-stay or tourist visa) to visit Germany and the broader Schengen Area. The Schengen C visa allows up to 90 days of stay in any 180-day rolling period and covers tourism, family visits, short business trips, and cultural events. The application is submitted at the German embassy, consulate, or an authorised visa centre (VFS Global or TLScontact) in Botswana.
The Schengen tourist visa fee is €90 as of 2024 (raised from €80 in June 2024 under the revised EU Visa Code). Children under 6 are exempt; children aged 6–12 pay €45. The fee is non-refundable even if the visa is refused. You will also pay any visa-centre service charges on top of the consular fee. In Botswana, total application costs including insurance and document preparation typically range from €150 to €350.
The strongest factor in a Schengen visa approval is demonstrating strong ties to your home country — proof that you intend to return. An employment letter granting you approved leave, a property deed, a business registration, or a student enrolment certificate all serve this purpose. Financial proof must show you can cover approximately €45–100 per day of your stay. Travel health insurance with a minimum coverage of €30,000 and valid for all Schengen countries is mandatory.
Appointment wait times at the German mission or visa centre in Botswana vary by season: expect 7–21 business days in off-peak periods and up to 8 weeks in summer. Processing after submission takes a maximum of 15 calendar days for straightforward applications (up to 30 days for complex cases, 45 days in exceptional circumstances). Multiple-entry visas valid for 1–5 years can be issued to frequent travellers with a clean travel history.
Yes, citizens of Botswana need a Schengen C (tourist/short-stay) visa to enter Germany and all Schengen countries. The visa permits up to 90 days of stay in any 180-day period. The application is submitted at the German embassy, consulate, or an authorised visa centre (VFS Global, TLScontact) serving Botswana.
A German Schengen tourist visa from Botswana requires 10 documents: completed Schengen application form, valid passport (3+ months beyond trip), biometric photos (2×), travel health insurance (€30,000+ coverage), round-trip flight reservation, accommodation proof (hotel or invitation letter), bank statements showing sufficient funds (€45–100/day), and proof of ties to Botswana such as an employment letter or property deed.
The standard Schengen C visa fee is €90 (revised June 2024). Children under 6 are free; children 6–12 pay €45. The fee is non-refundable. Additional visa-centre service fees (VFS/TLScontact) of €20–40 may apply. Total payment is made at the appointment — check with your local visa centre for accepted payment methods.
Standard processing is 15 calendar days from the date of application. It can extend to 30 days and exceptionally up to 45 days. Factor in the appointment wait at the visa centre: 7–21 days in normal periods, up to 8 weeks during summer peak season. Book your appointment as early as possible — at least 3 months before your planned travel date.
Germany requires proof of approximately €45–100 per day of your stay in the Schengen area. For a 14-day trip, that is roughly €630–1,400. Bank statements from the last 3 months are the standard evidence. If a family member or German host is sponsoring you, a Verpflichtungserklärung (financial guarantee, issued at a German Ausländerbehörde) can substitute for your own funds.
A Schengen C tourist visa cannot normally be extended beyond 90 days and cannot be converted into a national D-visa inside Germany. If you wish to stay longer — for Ausbildung, Studium, or family reasons — you must return to Botswana and apply for the appropriate national D-visa through the German mission before re-entering Germany.