Lesotho visas
Whether you need a visa for the Kingdom of Lesotho depends on your nationality and the purpose and length of your stay: many nationals of countries with visa-abolition agreements and several Commonwealth countries may enter visa-free, while everyone else must obtain a visa before travelling. Longer stays for work, study, family or settlement require a permit rather than a visitor visa. All visas and permits are administered by the Department of Immigration within the Ministry of Home Affairs, historically through the national e-Visa system.
Basotho visa categories
Explore visa categories by the purpose of your trip.
- Visitor & short-stay visasShort stays in Lesotho — tourism, visiting family or friends, business visits and transit, plus any visa-free or e-visa options.2 visas
- Work visasComing to Lesotho to work — the employment and skilled-worker routes and the permits they require.1 visa
- Study visasStudying in Lesotho — student visas and permits for accepted students.1 visa
- Family visasJoining or sponsoring a partner, child or other relative in Lesotho.2 visas
- Business & investor visasInvesting, doing business or coming to Lesotho as a highly skilled individual.1 visa
- Residence & citizenshipLiving in Lesotho long term — residence routes and, where available, the path to citizenship.3 visas
Basotho visa application at a glance
From start to finish in five simple steps.
- 01Choose the right visa
- 02Check eligibility & documents
- 03Apply online
- 04Provide biometrics
- 05Wait for a decision
Lesotho Visa
Visitors to Lesotho who have obtained a single-entry visa are permitted to stay for a maximum of 44 days. Visitors who have obtained a multiple-entry visa are only permitted to go in and out of Lesotho once every 180 days. If a visitors stay is extended, he or she must submit an extension request.
Who needs a visa to Lesotho
Unless you are from any of the following Countries, you will be required to obtain a visa before entering Lesotho.
- Antigua
- Barbuda
- Bahamas
- Bangladesh
- Barbados
- Belize
- Botswana
- Brunei
- Cameroon
- Dominica
- Eswatini
- Gambia
- Grenada
- Guyana
- Hong Kong
- Ireland
- Israel
- Jamaica
- Japan
- Kenya
- Kiribati
- South Korea
- Malawi
- Malaysia
- The Maldives
- Malta
- Mauritius
- Namibia
- Nauru
- Papua New Guinea
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Samoa
- San Marino
- Seychelles
- Sierra Leone
- Singapore
- Solomon Islands
- South Africa
- Sri Lanka
- Tanzania
- Tonga
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Tuvalu
- Uganda
- Vanuatu
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe.
Entry into Lesotho
There are no COVID-19 restrictions on travel from Ireland to Lesotho. There is no necessity to produce immunisation or testing certifications for COVID-19. Passengers travelling to Lesotho must transit through South Africa via land or air, and are advised to review South Africa's entry requirements prior to departure.
Requirements to apply for a Lesotho Visa
The requirements to apply for a Lesotho visa are straight forward. If you follow the criteria you should get your visa with no problem. The criteria is listed below.
- Applicants must submit a comprehensive visa application together with the relevant supporting documents.
- Passports must be valid for at least six months following the date of entry into the Kingdom of Lesotho.
- Passport should have a minimum of 2 blank visa pages.
- A passport must contain at least two blank visa pages. Applicants must submit photographs in the right dimensions.
Processing Time For Lesotho Visas
The application process for a Lesotho eVisa typically takes between seven and eleven days, depending on the processing time option you select. This will grant you 30-day Single-Entry permission to stay legally in the country, valid for 90 days after arrival.
Lesotho — key facts
- Visa authority
- Department of Immigration, Ministry of Home Affairs (Kingdom of Lesotho)
- Application
- Online (in most cases)
- Biometrics
- Usually required
- Currency
- Lesotho Loti (LSL)
- Time zone
- South Africa Standard Time (UTC+2), Africa/Maseru
Basotho visas — people also ask
You will be forced to reapply at the border or airport for an emergency visa.
Official sources
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always refer to the official government sources.
Verified against official sources · last reviewed 2026-08-21. Information only — not legal advice.