Lesotho Visa Policy

Take a look at Lesotho’s visa policy and discover which type of entry permit is needed by different nationalities.

Visa Policy for Lesotho

The Lesotho visa policy is the country’s list of rules and regulations that determine who may enter the country and if an entry permit is required.

There are various different types of visa for Lesotho. Several factors affect which type is needed, including the traveler’s nationality, the purpose of the visit, and the length of time that will be spent in the country.

It is possible to apply for a Lesotho tourist visa, business visa, student visa, and documents for other purposes, including residence and work permits.

Lesotho has an electronic visa (e-Visa) system that allows foreign nationals to obtain various types of short-term visa online.

The simple application form can be completed from the traveler’s home or office and is regarded as the quickest and easiest method of getting a Lesotho visa.

According to the Lesotho immigration policy, long-term visas and permits for foreign nationals who plan to live in the country and/or perform paid work there must be obtained from a Lesothan embassy or consulate.

Citizens of certain countries are exempt from Lesotho’s visa requirements for short-term visits. The maximum length of stay permitted without a visa varies depending on the individual’s nationality.

These travelers must still apply for the relevant visa to stay in the Kingdom of Lesotho for longer periods of time.

Find more information about the visa policy of Lesotho in the in-depth guide below.

Tourist Visa Policy for Lesotho

According to Lesotho’s visa policy, travelers from around 70 different countries and territories are exempt from needing a visa for tourism.

All other nationalities must apply for a Lesotho tourist visa before traveling to and entering the country.

The Lesotho e-Visa is a fast and convenient way to obtain a tourist visa for Lesotho. Foreign nationals must complete a simple online application form and will receive the visa by email.

Applicants can choose between single-entry and multiple-entry visa options. The e-Visa is valid for tourism, but does not allow holders to perform paid work in the Kingdom of Lesotho.

Citizens of certain countries must instead apply for a Lesotho tourist visa at an embassy or consulate, submitting their application and supporting documents in person.

Consult the map below to find out which visa is required for short-term visits by travelers of different nationalities.

e-Visa for Lesotho

The Lesotho e-Visa is an electronic visa that can be applied for and obtained online.

According to the Lesothan visa policy, citizens of around 130 different countries and territories are eligible to use the online platform and obtain an e-Visa for Lesotho.

Foreign nationals can use the Lesotho e-Visa system to obtain a number of different types of short-stay entry permits. Lesotho tourist visas, business visas, student visas, and diplomatic visas can all be applied for online.

Applicants can select either a single-entry or multiple-entry e-Visa for Lesotho for the purposes of tourism or business.

Single-entry Lesotho e-Visas permit holders to stay up to 44 days in the country.

Multiple-entry online visas for Lesotho are valid for 180 days. Visitors may enter the country any number of times during this period, or stay for the full period of validity.

Lesotho Student e-Visas are valid for a single entry only and permit a maximum stay of 90 days.

Diplomatic passport holders can also obtain a visa for Lesotho online, which allows a single entry for up to 44 days.

Applying for a Lesotho e-Visa involves completing a simple online application form. Travelers must submit some basic personal and passport details as well as an email address to receive the approved visa.

Supporting documents, including a valid passport, must be uploaded in digital format (scanned).

See below the list of countries whose citizens can apply online for a Lesotho e-Visa.

e-Visa for Lesotho: Country list

  • Afghanistan
  • Albania
  • Algeria
  • Andorra
  • Angola
  • Argentina
  • Armenia
  • Azerbaijan
  • Bahrain
  • Belarus
  • Benin
  • Bhutan
  • Bolivia
  • Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • Brazil
  • Bulgaria
  • Burkina Faso
  • Burundi
  • Cambodia
  • Cape Verde
  • Central African Republic
  • Chad
  • Chile
  • China
  • Colombia
  • Comoros
  • Congo
  • Costa Rica
  • Croatia
  • Cuba
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo
  • Djibouti
  • Dominican Republic
  • Ecuador
  • Egypt
  • El Salvador
  • Equatorial Guinea
  • Eritrea
  • Estonia
  • Ethiopia
  • Federated States of Micronesia
  • Gabon
  • Georgia
  • Ghana
  • Greece
  • Guatemala
  • Guinea
  • Guinea Bissau
  • Haiti
  • Honduras
  • Hungary
  • India
  • Indonesia
  • Iran
  • Iraq
  • Ivory Coast
  • Jordan
  • Kazakhstan
  • Kuwait
  • Kyrgyzstan
  • Laos
  • Latvia
  • Lebanon
  • Liberia
  • Libya
  • Liechtenstein
  • Lithuania
  • Macau
  • Macedonia
  • Madagascar
  • Mali
  • Malta
  • Marshall Islands
  • Mauritania
  • Mexico
  • Moldova
  • Monaco
  • Mongolia
  • Montenegro
  • Morocco
  • Mozambique
  • Myanmar
  • Nepal
  • Nicaragua
  • Niger
  • Nigeria
  • North Korea
  • Oman
  • Pakistan
  • Palau
  • Palestinian Territory
  • Panama
  • Paraguay
  • Peru
  • Philippines
  • Poland
  • Qatar
  • Republic of Cyprus
  • Romania
  • Russian Federation
  • Rwanda
  • Sao Tome and Principe
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Senegal
  • Serbia
  • Slovakia
  • Slovenia
  • Somalia
  • South Sudan
  • Sudan
  • Suriname
  • Syrian Arab Republic
  • Taiwan
  • Tajikistan
  • Thailand
  • Timor Leste
  • Togo
  • Tunisia
  • Turkey
  • Turkmenistan
  • Ukraine
  • United Arab Emirates
  • Uruguay
  • Uzbekistan
  • Vatican City
  • Venezuela
  • Vietnam
  • Yemen

Embassy or Consular Visa Required for Lesotho

Lesotho embassy or consular visa is an entry permit issued by a diplomatic mission.

Lesotho has embassies and consulates in many different countries around the world. Embassies are generally located in capital cities, while some other important cities host Lesothan consulates.

In line with Lesotho’s immigration policy, embassies and consulates of Lesotho are responsible for issuing long-term visas and work permits for foreign nationals who intend to live, work, or stay in the country for an extended period. Long-stay visas cannot be obtained online.

In addition, nationals of over 40 countries must apply for visit visas for short stays at a Lesothan embassy or consulate. This includes tourist visas and business visas.

In order to apply for an embassy or consular visa for Lesotho, travelers must go to the diplomatic mission in person and submit their application. It is necessary to bring all required supporting documents.

Consult the list below to find out which nationalities must apply in person at an embassy for any type of visa for Lesotho.

Embassy or Consular Visa Required for Lesotho: Country list

  • Aland Islands
  • American Samoa
  • Anguilla
  • Antarctica
  • Aruba
  • Bermuda
  • Bonaire
  • British Indian Ocean Territory
  • British Virgin Islands
  • Cayman Islands
  • Christmas Island
  • Cocos Islands
  • Cook Islands
  • Curacao
  • Falkland Islands
  • Faroe Islands
  • French Guiana
  • French Polynesia
  • Gibraltar
  • Greenland
  • Guadeloupe
  • Guam
  • Guernsey
  • Isle of Man
  • Jersey
  • Martinique
  • Mayotte
  • Montserrat
  • New Caledonia
  • Niue
  • Norfolk Island
  • Northern Mariana Islands
  • Pitcairn Islands
  • Puerto Rico
  • Reunion
  • Saint Barthelemy
  • Saint Helena
  • Saint Martin
  • Saint Pierre and Miquelon
  • Sint Maarten
  • South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
  • Svalbard and Jan Mayen
  • Tokelau
  • Turks and Caicos Islands
  • United States Virgin Islands
  • Wallis and Futuna

Visa Not Required for Lesotho

Citizens of a number of countries do not require a visa to visit the Kingdom of Lesotho. The terms of this visa exemption vary depending on the traveler’s nationality.

Visa exemption for Lesotho applies to nationals of around 70 different countries and territories.

Around 40 of these may stay in the country without a visa for a maximum of 90 days.

Travelers from other jurisdictions may visit visa-free for up to 14 days.

Foreigners from visa-exempt countries who plan to stay for longer than the time allowed under the terms of Lesotho’s visa policy must obtain the relevant visa to do so.

Individuals from these countries may only enter Lesotho without a visa for visits. Tourism, leisure, and visiting relatives are permitted. However, foreign nationals cannot perform paid work in the country without a valid visa.

Find below a list of countries whose citizens can visit the Kingdom of Lesotho without a visa, using only their passport to enter.

Visa Not Required for Lesotho: Country list

  • Antigua and Barbuda
  • Australia
  • Austria
  • Bahamas
  • Bangladesh
  • Barbados
  • Belgium
  • Belize
  • Botswana
  • Brunei Darussalam
  • Cameroon
  • Canada
  • Czech Republic
  • Denmark
  • Dominica
  • Fiji
  • Finland
  • France
  • Gambia
  • Germany
  • Grenada
  • Guyana
  • Hong Kong
  • Iceland
  • Ireland
  • Israel
  • Italy
  • Jamaica
  • Japan
  • Kenya
  • Kiribati
  • Luxembourg
  • Malawi
  • Malaysia
  • Maldives
  • Mauritius
  • Namibia
  • Nauru
  • Netherlands
  • New Zealand
  • Norway
  • Papua New Guinea
  • Portugal
  • Saint Kitts and Nevis
  • Saint Lucia
  • Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
  • Samoa
  • San Marino
  • Seychelles
  • Sierra Leone
  • Singapore
  • Solomon Islands
  • South Africa
  • South Korea
  • Spain
  • Sri Lanka
  • Swaziland
  • Sweden
  • Switzerland
  • Tanzania
  • Tonga
  • Trinidad and Tobago
  • Tuvalu
  • Uganda
  • United Kingdom
  • United States
  • Vanuatu
  • Zambia
  • Zimbabwe

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