Question 1

Do I need to provide a visa, unless your country has a visa abolition agreement with lesotho?

Accepted Answer

Lesotho's Ministry of Home Affairs says every foreign visitor needs a visa, except citizens of countries that have visa abolition agreements with Lesotho and citizens of some Commonwealth countries. The Ministry does not publish that country list, so we only treat you as exempt where two Lesotho embassy or High Commission pages agree. The pages we found disagree in places: the Lesotho Embassy in the USA's older country table marks more nationalities as visa-free (for example the UK, the US, Australia, Canada, South Africa and Japan), while the High Commission in the UK lists the Bahamas and Ireland as visa-free and that table says they need a visa. If you hold one of those passports, ask the Immigration Department (visa-applications.immigration@gov.ls) whether you need a visa before you pay for one.

Question 2

Do I need to provide apply by email to the immigration department?

Accepted Answer

The Ministry of Home Affairs' e-visa system is suspended. Email the Immigration Department at visa-applications.immigration@gov.ls; it replies with guidance on completing your application, and you get the decision by email. The Lesotho Embassy in the USA lists a completed application form among its requirements and says you can also ask the person or organisation inviting you in Lesotho to apply for you at the Ministry of Home Affairs. Apply well in advance: the service charter says 3 to 5 working days, one High Commission page says at least 5, and the embassy says up to 10.

Question 3

Do I need to provide passport valid for at least six months?

Accepted Answer

Send a copy of your passport. The Ministry's published requirements say it must be valid for at least six months. The High Commission in the UK calls this a legal requirement counted from your day of entry, asks for a certified copy with four blank pages (Lesotho and South African border control both stamp it), and on the same page also says it must be valid for three more months beyond your planned entry. Plan for six months.

Question 4

Do I need to provide three months of bank statements, or a valid debit or credit card?

Accepted Answer

With enough money to cover your stay. The service charter and the Ministry's published requirements accept either the statements or a card; the Lesotho Embassy in the USA asks for the statements.

Question 5

Do I need to provide visa fee?

Accepted Answer

The service charter and the Lesotho Embassy in the USA give M1,000 for a single-entry visa and M2,000 for a multiple-entry visa on a regular passport. The Lesotho High Commission in the UK lists US$150 (single entry) and US$250 (multiple entry). The pages do not say how to pay, so ask the Immigration Department when it replies.

Question 6

Do I need to provide application letter from your sponsor in lesotho?

Accepted Answer

The service charter's tourist list asks for an application letter from a sponsor but does not say who can act as a sponsor for a tourist. The Lesotho Embassy in the USA asks for an invitation letter requesting your presence in Lesotho.

Question 7

Do I need to provide visit for tourism only?

Accepted Answer

The High Commission in the UK describes the tourist visa as temporary entry as a visitor for tourism only; you may not do any business activities.

Question 8

Do I need to provide confirmation of hotel bookings or accommodation?

Accepted Answer

Listed on the service charter, in the Ministry's published requirements and on the Lesotho Embassy in the USA's list.

Question 9

Do I need to provide medical insurance?

Accepted Answer

Listed on the service charter and on the Lesotho Embassy in the USA's list. The sources do not say how much cover you need.

Question 10

Do I need to provide letter from your employer?

Accepted Answer

The Lesotho Embassy in the USA lists an introduction letter from your employer giving your position, salary, how long you have worked there, any authorised leave and the business purpose of your trip, if any. It is not on the service charter's tourist list.

Question 11

Do I need to provide approval letter, and entry through maseru or moshoeshoe i airport?

Accepted Answer

The Lesotho Embassy in the USA says an approved applicant is emailed an approval letter that it calls a 72-hour visa-on-arrival letter, and that you can only enter Lesotho through the Maseru Port of Entry or Moshoeshoe I International Airport.

Question 12

Do I need to provide itinerary and travel plan?

Accepted Answer

The service charter lists both an itinerary and a travelling plan or arrangement.

Question 13

Do I need to provide return ticket?

Accepted Answer

The Ministry's September 2021 requirements list a return ticket for tourist visas; the March 2026 service charter's tourist list does not mention one. Have proof of your return or onward travel ready.

Question 14

Do I need to provide south african entry or transit visa, if you need one?

Accepted Answer

The service charter lists a South African transit visa for applicants with Bangladeshi or Pakistani passports. More generally, the Lesotho High Commission in the UK says you must meet all of South Africa's entry requirements, because visitors to Lesotho travel through South Africa by air or land.

Question 15

Do I need to provide application letter from you?

Accepted Answer

A letter from you asking for the visa. The Lesotho Embassy in the USA says it should be addressed to the Director of Immigration.

Question 16

Do I need to provide medical report?

Accepted Answer

Listed on the service charter. The Lesotho Embassy in the USA describes it as a report on your medical fitness to travel. The pages do not say who must issue it or how recent it must be.

Question 17

Do I need to provide single-entry or multiple-entry visa, and how long you can stay?

Accepted Answer

The Ministry says single-entry visas are valid for three months and multiple-entry visas for six. The High Commission in the UK says a single-entry tourist visa gives 44 days (it also says 30 days elsewhere on the same page) and that a multiple-entry visa allows travel in and out within 180 days of issue. Confirm the exact terms with the Immigration Department.

Question 18

Do I need to provide yellow fever card?

Accepted Answer

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs' FAQ says you do not need a malaria vaccination but it is important to carry your yellow fever card. The Lesotho Embassy in the USA lists a yellow fever certificate for travellers coming from an infected area.

Japan → Lesotho: Short-stay tourist

Required documents

Identity

Financial

Purpose of travel

Accommodation

Insurance

Employment

Travel

Other

Why applications on this route get refused

Sources