Lesotho visa policy specifies all the rules that visitors entering the country must follow to ensure hassle-free entry and stay.
Depending on individuals’ nationality, travel purpose, as well as the planned duration of stay in Lesotho, different types of visas may be required.
Travelers can choose between tourist visas, student visas, business visas, and other permits, such as work and residence permits.
What is more, Lesotho introduced the e-Visa system facilitating the process of getting a visa for short-term purposes. Applying for a Lesotho e-Visa is the most convenient method of getting a visa, as it can be completed online. Currently, there are around 130 nationalities who can enjoy the benefits of the e-Visa application.
The visa policy of Lesotho also states that all foreign citizens who wish to live or work in Lesotho or need a visa for long-term purposes must obtain a relevant visa or permit directly at the nearest Lesothan consulate or embassy.
Additionally, there are around 70 countries that are exempt from the requirement to hold a visa for Lesotho. The permitted visa-free length of stay may vary depending on the traveler’s nationality.
Apart from the Lesotho visa, travelers may also need to prepare other documents necessary to enter Lesotho. One such document is a passport with at least 3-month validity extending beyond the planned exit date for Lesotho.
Please also note that if you plan to travel to South Africa before or after arriving in Lesotho, you need to have at least two additional blank pages in your passport when presenting it during immigration control, either entering or leaving South Africa.
There are no entry bans imposed on nationals of any country. Travelers from all around the globe can travel to Lesotho as long as they meet all Lesotho entry requirements.
Currently, Lesotho welcomes all travelers, both vaccinated and non-vaccinated, against COVID-19. Non-vaccinated arrivals no longer need to present a negative PCR test performed within 72 hours prior to departure.
To ensure smooth entry to Lesotho, all travelers should make sure to familiarize themselves with the necessary documents and have them ready on time.
Following, these are the documents that you may need to gather:
Additionally, all travelers visiting Lesotho for business-related purposes need to remember to register with the Directorate of Immigration 7 days prior to arrival.
Important: Entry requirements to Lesotho are subject to rapid changes. Do remember to confirm the entry rules with the Lesothan embassy or consulate before setting off for our trip.
Depending on eligibility which is determined by a traveler’s nationality, one can obtain a visa for Lesotho in two ways described in detail below.
Lesotho enables the e-Visa application to travelers from around 130 different countries in the world. Citizens eligible for Lesotho e-Visa can apply either for a single-entry or multiple-entry visa covering tourism or business.
To get a Lesotho visa online, an applicant just needs to complete a short application form, provide supporting documents, including a digital scan of a valid passport, and cover the processing fee. The approved visa will arrive directly in the applicant’s email inbox in a PDF format.
If a traveler wishes to visit Lesotho for long-term oriented stays or purposes other than tourism or business, they will need to obtain a regular visa directly at the embassy or consulate of Lesotho.
Additionally, citizens of more than 40 countries not eligible for e-Visa must apply for a regular visa, even for short-term stays in Lesotho.
The regular visa application involves the need to visit a diplomatic mission in person and should be arranged well in advance prior to travel.
Electronic visa for Lesotho
Regular visa
Visa-free entry
There are no separate requirements applicable for minors traveling to Lesotho.
They should meet the same travel requirements as their parents or legal guardians, who are also responsible for gathering all required documents for every underage traveler.
Passengers planning a trip to Lesotho must transit through South Africa either by land or air.
They are highly recommended to check the latest entry restrictions for South Africa before traveling to Lesotho.
You need to obtain a Lesotho visa unless you are a national of a visa-exempt country. A number of foreigners can obtain a visa by applying online. Others need to visit the nearest embassy or consulate and apply for a visa in person.
Depending on the traveler's nationality, traveling motive as well as the desired length of stay, there are different visa options available for Lesotho, including getting a visa online, or at an embassy.
No. Lesotho currently does not offer the Visa on Arrival service. Make sure to obtain a visa prior to your travel - either online or directly at the nearest Lesothan diplomatic mission.
All travelers to Lesotho must hold a valid visa, a passport that will remain valid for at least 3 months from the intended arrival in the country as well as proof of valid travel insurance. Also, certain travelers may be required to provide a yellow fever certificate.
You should confirm with your airlines whether it is necessary to hold a visa if only transiting through Lesotho.
Children traveling to Lesotho are subject to the same requirements as adult travelers. Their parents or legal guardians should remember to obtain all travel documents that may be necessary for travel.