Visa policy of Lesotho


Visitors to Lesotho must obtain a visa from one of the Lesotho's diplomatic missions unless they are citizens of one of the visa-exempt countries.

Visa exemption

Ordinary passports

Holders of ordinary passports of the following countries and territories may enter Lesotho without a visa for the following period:
1 - Including all classes of British nationality.
2 - Ireland and Malta can enter for a period of 90 days instead.
Date of visa changes

  • 1 March 1970: Israel
  • 9 January 1972: Belgium, Luxembourg and Netherlands
  • 15 July 1977: Japan

Non-ordinary passports

Citizens of China holding diplomatic or service passports may enter Lesotho without a visa.

Electronic Visa (e-Visa) (suspended)

Lesotho introduced an e-Visa system on 1 May 2017.
Foreign citizens may apply for tourism, business, student and diplomatic types of visa online through the e-Visa system.
Electronic visa is processed within 72 hours. Visitors with a single-entry visa to Lesotho may remain for a maximum period of 44 days. Visitors with multiple-entry visa may travel in and out of Lesotho only within 180 days. Visitors must apply for an extension if their stay is prolonged.
Electronic visa processing has been suspended.

Transit

There are no transit facilities in Lesotho.

Visitor statistics

Most visitors arriving in Lesotho were from the following countries of nationality:
Country2017201620152014
South Africa