The Ministry of Labour and Home Affairs through the Department of Immigration & Citizenship wishes to inform the public that old passport will be phased out on the 31 December 2011. The public is however advised that those who do not need to use the e-passport before the 31 December 2011 can come to apply for the e-passport in 2012 to avoid congestion of the service centers which is already experienced.

The Ministry wishes to clarify the misconception that those who do not apply for the e-passport before 31 December 2011 will be charged extra fees as penalty for late applications, or that passport fees will be increased. The public is informed that there are no penalties for not applying for the e-passport before or on 31 December 2011. The issuance of the e-passport will thus continue in the coming year. Services for passport applications and issuance will continue to be provided over the weekends, from 0730 hours to 1630 hours.

The fees for the e-passport are as follows: 

• Normal Service (5 working days) BWP 260.00
• Express Service ( 48hrs) BWP 390.00
• Extra Service (24hrs) BWP 520.00

All those who have applied for their passports are encouraged to collect them at the offices from which applications were made. Those who applied at the Loapi and Universal Service Centres can collect their passports from the Gaborone Immigration Headquarters.

NB: The penalty for a lost old passport is  P1000.00