E-VISA ONLINE APPLICATION LAUNCHED
Ministry of Nationality, Immigration and Gender Affairs launched e-visa online application platform last Thursday.
This will allow citizens and tourists to obtain a visa online without going to immigration departments and Botswana embassies in other countries. The new digital system will replace the manual system and is expected to reduce costs of paperwork and travel for submissions.
Speaking at the launch, the Deputy Permanent Secretary, Motse Otlhabanye, said the digital platform is replacing the hand written or manual visa. He said this is meant to make Botswana Visas more credible, customer friendly as well strengthening national security.
“As a country, we have to plan things for our customers in such a manner that they do not go through a lot of obstacles. This will help citizens and investors to get better services and we will ensure that key partners are happy with our service delivery. The world is going digital and digitisation remains the key driver of the economy, so this initiative is necessary,” said Otlhabanye.
When officially launching the online platform, Minister Anna Mokgethi noted the facility will ease doing business in the country and also enhance convenience and efficiency in visa services.
“The quality of public service is an important part of the equation in the global competition for business and investment. We now form part of the global village. It is a world of much high expectations and many more opportunities hence the need to have this initiative. Every organisation has to be in constant touch with its customers so that its products and services reflect their taste, preferences and expectations. My Ministry is innovative and adapting to meet these changing needs and expectations,” said Mokgethi.
The Minister went on to say they now look at customer-oriented solutions to meet the diverse and sophisticated needs of citizens, visitors and businesses.
“Quality service is now recognised as a direct competitive advantage in drawing people, businesses and investment to Botswana,” she stressed.
Mokgethi further noted the manual application was only accessible to a few thereby compromising Botswana’s efforts to attract the much needed foreign direct investment as well as tourists.