Check the official site before you travel. imptmanhattan.com is a hotel and travel site; it does not issue visas or ESTAs and this is not legal advice. Rules change: confirm on esta.cbp.dhs.gov and travel.state.gov.
| Status | B-2 visitor visa |
|---|---|
| Visa or authorization | B-2 visitor visa from a US embassy or consulate |
| Where to apply | Online DS-160 form, then an interview |
| Fees and processing | Set by the US government: check the official site |
| Arrival | Inspection by US Customs and Border Protection at the airport |
Botswana does not take part in the Visa Waiver Program, so a Botswanan passport holder needs a visa before flying to New York. The category for a holiday in Manhattan is the B-2 visitor visa. Apply with the online DS-160 form, then attend an interview at a US embassy or consulate. An ESTA is not available to Botswanan citizens, and no permission can be arranged at the airport on arrival.
What the B-2 Status Means
A B-2 visitor visa is the standard permission for a Botswanan citizen traveling to the United States for tourism, family visits or short leisure trips. It is granted by a consular officer abroad, not at the border. The visa allows a stay for the period authorized by Customs and Border Protection on arrival, and the traveler must leave when that period ends. Business visitor travel uses the B-1 category, which is often issued together with B-2.
Because Botswana is outside the Visa Waiver Program, there is no short online authorization route. An ESTA is not available to Botswanan citizens. Plan the visa early in the trip, before booking anything that cannot be changed. The visa is tied to the purpose stated in the application, so a holiday application should describe a holiday, with dates and a place to stay in Manhattan. Answer every question on the form accurately and consistently.
Before You Fly and on Arrival
Before booking flights, confirm that the passport and visa are in order and that the name on the ticket matches the passport exactly. Travelers arriving at John F. Kennedy International Airport, LaGuardia Airport or Newark Liberty International Airport pass through Customs and Border Protection. Expect fingerprints, a photograph and questions about the purpose of the trip, the length of stay and where the traveler will sleep in Manhattan.
Keep the visa, passport and onward travel details within reach in the cabin, not in checked luggage. Answer questions briefly and honestly; the officer decides how long the stay is authorized on arrival. A printed hotel confirmation and a return ticket help. After inspection, follow the signs to ground transport. Queues and long walks between terminals are part of the arrival, so allow a calm margin before any timed plan in the city.
Staying in Manhattan
A hotel confirmation in Manhattan, or an address where the traveler will stay, is useful at the border and for the visa interview. Book accommodation that accepts the planned arrival time and keep the confirmation printed as well as on a phone. Return plans matter: a dated ticket home, or a credible plan for onward travel, shows that the visit is temporary. Travel insurance is not required for entry but is worth arranging before departure.
From the airports, Manhattan is reached by public transport, by taxi or by pre-booked car service; check the current options and fares on arrival, since services change. Subway and commuter rail links run from John F. Kennedy International Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport, while LaGuardia Airport connects by bus and taxi. Keep luggage close on crowded platforms. Neighborhoods, museums and parks are easy to reach on foot and by subway once settled.
Longer Stays, Work and Study
A B-2 visa covers tourism and short family visits, not employment or a full course of study. Work, study, exchange programs, journalism and long stays each have their own visa categories with separate forms and supporting documents. Applying in the wrong category wastes time. Read the category descriptions on travel.state.gov before starting a DS-160, and apply for the visa that matches the real purpose of the trip.
Rules, interview locations and appointment availability change, so check travel.state.gov and the website of the embassy or consulate handling the application. The same applies to the documents requested at the interview and to entry conditions at the airport. This guide does not issue visas and cannot speed an application. Allow room in the plan for the interview and for the passport to come back before any flight to New York.
How to apply for a visitor visa
- Complete the DS-160 form online for the B-2 visitor visa, answering every question about the planned trip to Manhattan accurately.
- Pay the visa application fee through the official route named on travel.state.gov, never through an unofficial agent.
- Book an interview appointment at the US embassy or consulate that handles applications for Botswana, using its official booking system.
- Attend the interview with the passport, the DS-160 confirmation page, any required photograph, and documents showing ties to home and trip plans.
- Wait for the passport to be returned with the visa, and check that every detail printed on it is correct before booking flights.
- Fly to New York and present the passport, visa and return plans to Customs and Border Protection officers at the airport.
Documents to carry
- Passport valid for the planned trip, with the visa inside.
- Printed DS-160 confirmation page and interview appointment confirmation.
- Hotel confirmation or host address in Manhattan, printed and on a phone.
- Return or onward ticket showing the date of departure from the United States.
- Evidence of funds for the stay, such as recent bank statements.
- Travel insurance details and a short list of emergency contacts.
Botswanan citizens: questions
Do Botswanan citizens need a visa to visit Manhattan?
Yes. Botswana is not in the Visa Waiver Program, so a Botswanan passport holder needs a B-2 visitor visa for a holiday or family visit in Manhattan. The application is made with the DS-160 form and an interview at a US embassy or consulate. No ESTA is available to Botswanan citizens.
Can Botswanan citizens travel to New York on an ESTA?
No. An ESTA is not available to Botswanan citizens, because Botswana is not in the Visa Waiver Program. The route for a holiday in Manhattan is a B-2 visitor visa, applied for with the DS-160 form and an interview at a US embassy or consulate. Check travel.state.gov for current requirements before booking flights.
Where do Botswanan citizens attend the visa interview?
Interviews take place at a US embassy or consulate, arranged through the official booking system for the mission that covers Botswana. The DS-160 is completed online first. Appointment availability and document requirements change, so check travel.state.gov and the embassy or consulate website before booking, and allow time for the passport to be returned.
How long can Botswanan citizens stay in Manhattan on a B-2 visa?
The length of stay is decided by the Customs and Border Protection officer at the airport, not by the visa alone, and it is recorded on arrival. Check the terms given then and leave before they end. A longer stay, work or study needs a different visa category; check travel.state.gov for the correct one.
Do Botswanan citizens need travel insurance for a trip to New York?
Travel insurance is not a condition of entry for a B-2 visitor, and no policy is checked at the border. It is still sensible for a Manhattan stay, given medical costs in the United States and the chance of changed plans. Carry the policy details with the other documents and keep the emergency numbers easy to find.
Where will you stay in Manhattan?
Midtown for a first visit, SoHo or the West Village for character, the Upper West Side for the park. Live prices for your dates open in the IMPT app.
Photo credits: Pexels.