consular services for foreign nationals

Click on the buttown below to check if you need a visa for entry into Lesotho.

click here to see if you need a visa…
important notice:

It is a legal requirement that, when visiting the Kingdom of Lesotho, a visitor must hold a current passport or other legally recognised travel document with a validity of at least 6 months remaining from the day of entry into the country on a VISA which has been applied for.

Requirements to obtain VISA to enter the Kingdom of Lesotho

Most nationalities who plan to come to the Kingdom of Lesotho for business, holidays, tourism, or study are required to apply and obtain a Visa by filling out an application form.

Additional
Requirements

All South Africa’s entry requirements must be met because, visitors to Lesotho must travel through South Africa, whether travelling by air or land.

Click on dropdown arrows below for details regarding requirements, duration, and the payable fees.

the-kingdom-of-lesotho-tourist-visa

Temporary entry into the country as a visitor for tourism purposes only.

The visitor is prohibited from undertaking any business activities. The applicant shall be granted a single-entry permit of forty-four (44) days.

Applicants are required to contact the Lesotho Immigration Department via email at: visa-applications.immigration@gov.ls.
In receipt of your email, the department shall then provide you with guidance on how to complete you visa application process.

decision notification

You may need to wait for an email notification with your visa application result from the Immigration Department, under the Ministry of Home Affairs.

  • Your must have a certified copy of your valid & current Passport, with (four) 4 blank pages for visa stamping. This shall facilitate a requirement for the Lesotho border control needing to stamp your passport as well as South African border control on your way to and from Lesotho. It must be valid for three (3) more months beyond the date of your planned entry into the Kingdom of Lesotho;

visa processing time

Normally, processing times for Visa application takes at least five working days. However, processing times may vary depending on the number of applications received. To avoid any unexpected delays and interruptions to your planned trip into the country, you’re advised to apply for your visa well in advance.

decision notification

You may need to wait for an email notification with your visa application result from the Immigration Department, under the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Visitors who’ve been granted this Visa are allowed a maximum of thirty (30) day stay in the country. It’s important to take notice of, if any, specific terms, and conditions stipulated on your visa.

Should you need to prolong your stay in the country, you must apply for a visa extension. An application for extension must be submitted at the Lesotho Department of Immigration and complete the necessary paperwork before the expiry of your current visa. The immigration officer processing your application will determine the number of days to be granted.

$150

Visitor/Tourist – single entry

At the cost of US$150, visitors with a single-entry visa into the Kingdom of Lesotho may remain for a maximum period of 44 days from the date of issue.

$250

Visitor/Tourist Multiple entry

At the cost of US$250, visitors with multiple entry visa may travel in and out of Lesotho only within 180 days from the date of issue.

business-visa

The bearer to enter the kingdom of Lesotho to engage, exclusively in business activities

This is a visa issued to foreigners and allows the bearer to enter the kingdom of Lesotho to engage, exclusively in business activities without joining the country’s labour market. The bearer shall attend; business conferences, business trips, and investment meetings. Typically, the visitor must demonstrate that they are not receiving income from the country.

Applicants are required to contact the Lesotho Immigration Department via email at: visa-applications.immigration@gov.ls.
In receipt of your email, the department shall then provide you with guidance on how to complete you visa application process.

decision notification

You may need to wait for an email notification with your visa application result from the Immigration Department, under the Ministry of Home Affairs.

  • Your must have a certified copy of your valid & current Passport, with (four) 4 blank pages for visa stamping. This shall facilitate a requirement for the Lesotho border control needing to stamp your passport as well as South African border control on your way to and from Lesotho. It must be valid for three (3) more months beyond the date of your planned entry into the Kingdom of Lesotho;
  • Two (2) coloured passport size photographs taken within the past six months;
  • Proof of financial means to cover the living costs during your stay in the Kingdom of Lesotho. Must be your bank statements or pay slips for the last six months;
  • Proof of accommodation to show where you will be accommodated during your stay in Lesotho;
  • An official letter, written on a company letter template, from the company in your country of residence, stating the purpose and duration of your visit to the Kingdom of Lesotho;
  • An official letter of invitation from the host company in the Kingdom of Lesotho;
  • Onward/Return ticket or confirmed itinerary.

visa processing time

Normally, processing times for Visa application takes at least five working days. However, these may vary depending on the number of applications received. To avoid any unexpected delays and interruptions to your planned trip into the country, you’re advised to apply for your visa well in advance.

decision notification

You may need to wait for an email notification, with results from the Immigration Department, under the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Visitors who’ve been granted this Visa are allowed a maximum of thirty (30) day stay in the country. It’s important to take notice of, if any, specific terms, and conditions stipulated on your visa.

Should you need to prolong your stay in the country, you must apply for a visa extension. An application for extension must be submitted at the Lesotho Department of Immigration and complete the necessary paperwork before the expiry of your current visa. The immigration officer processing your application will determine the number of days to be granted.

$150

Business- Single Entry

At the cost of US$150, business visitors with a single-entry visa into the Kingdom of Lesotho may remain for a maximum period of 44 days from the date of issue.

$250

Business – Multiple Entry

At the cost of US$250, business visitors with multiple entry visa may travel in and out of Lesotho only within 180 days from the date of issue.

deplomatic-visa

Persons traveling with a diplomatic passport or for an official government business

Diplomats are only required to provide their diplomatic passport when applying in an official capacity. Persons traveling with a diplomatic passport or for an official government business are not required to obtain a regular Visa to enter the Kingdom of Lesotho.

Applicants are required to contact the Lesotho Immigration Department via email at: visa-applications.immigration@gov.ls.
In receipt of your email, the department shall then provide you with guidance on how to complete you visa application process.

decision notification

You may need to wait for an email notification with your visa application result from the Immigration Department, under the Ministry of Home Affairs.

  • You must provide your diplomatic passport, that is valid for at 6 months when applying in an official capacity;
  • Provide a Note Verbale or an official letter of invitation issued by the government Ministry or Agency you are visiting;
  • Have proof of Yellow Fever vaccination where applicable;
  • Contact a Lesotho High Commission/Embassy in the country you’re departing from;
  • Contact the Department of Home Affairs in Lesotho to obtain the letter of Invitation;
  • Report to the Ministry of Home Affairs, upon entry into the country, to receive a manual visa stamp free of charge from the immigration directorate.

Visitors who’ve been granted this Visa are allowed a maximum of thirty (30) day stay in the country. It’s important to take notice of, if any, specific terms, and conditions stipulated on your visa.

$FREE

Official/Diplomatic

Holders of diplomatic passports may remain in the Kingdom of Lesotho on a diplomatic visa for a maximum period of 44 daysfrom the date of issue.

Ready to apply for your Visa?

Contact Immigration Department via email at:
visa-applications.immigration@gov.ls

Lesotho Visas & Residency Guidance

Foreign nationals who’re considering remaining in the Kingdom of Lesotho for an extended period, can apply for an appropriate permit online once they’ve entered the country on a tourist/visitor visa. As soon as an online application with applicable permit fees has been submitted, an appointment can be scheduled with the Department of Immigration and Passport Services in the Ministry of Home Affairs for purposes of submitting the requisite biometrics information.

Applicants can choose a suitable permit for their needs from this list:

TEMPORARY PERMIT NINTY (90) DAYS

Click for details

Two (2)- year residence permit

Click for details

Indefinite residence permit

Click for details

useful site information

our customer service commitment…

This website endeavours to provide comprehensive information on all visa types and associated requirements.

Important Site Visitor Notice

Please be aware of fraudulent online visa websites. Our only official, Kingdom of Lesotho’s website for all types of VISA applications is the Immigration department, under the Ministry of Home Affairs.

FAQs

CLICK ON THE QUESTIONS BELOW TO LEARN MORE…

ADULTS (16years and above):

  • National Identity (ID) card .
  • Previous passport (if any).
  • Application letter (does not require chief’s stamp).

MINORS: (below 16years of age):

  • Birth certificate.
  • Letter of consent (application) from a parent/guardian.
  • ID/Passport of a parent or guardian.
  • Regular passport (32 pages) = M130.00
  • Regular passport (64 pages) = M250.00
  • Official passport (32 pages) = M200.00
  • Diplomatic passport (32 pages) = M1000.00
  • Diplomatic passport (64 pages) = M1200.00
  • Application: M 130.00
  • Emergency fee: M500.00
  • Total payable = M630.00 upon application submission at any Passport office.
  • (Must also bring along your old passport if there’s any).
  • An applicant should collect a passport from Mohale’s Hoek.
  • Penalty for lost/damaged, M300.00
  • Application fee M130.00
  • Total payable M430.00 upon application submission at any Passport office.
  • (Must also bring along your damaged passport)
  • An applicant should collect a passport from Mohale’s Hoek.

A maximum of 5 working days.