Deep coverage15 verified routes across visit, study, work, investment, family and more.
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Select the passports you hold to see short-stay access and per-route eligibility for Lesotho.
4 routes
Visit
Short stays: tourism, transit, business trips, medical, pilgrimage.
Tourist Visa
Lesotho Visa-Free Entry (Tourism)
Lesotho grants visa-free short-term entry for tourism to ordinary passport holders of roughly 70 countries, with the permitted stay set by nationality: 90 days for citizens of countries such as Australia, Canada, Japan, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States; 14 days for EU member states plus Iceland, New Zealand, Norway and Switzerland (Ireland and Malta receive 90 days); and 60 days for South Korea. Visitors are granted permission to stay on arrival at the border or airport and must hold a passport valid at least 6 months with proof of onward travel and sufficient funds. The exemption is for tourism and visiting and does not permit work, study or long-term residence.
Government fee
≈ $0
Indicative — varies by nationality
Max stay
90 days
Document checklist (5)
Valid passportPassport valid at least 6 months beyond entry with sufficient blank pages.
Proof of onward or return travelReturn or onward ticket out of Lesotho.
Proof of accommodationHotel booking or address of stay in Lesotho.
Proof of sufficient fundsBank statement or evidence of funds to cover the visit.
Yellow fever certificateOptionalRequired if arriving from or transiting a yellow-fever risk country.
Tourist Visa
Lesotho Temporary Permit (90 Days)
The 90-day temporary permit is issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs to foreigners who need to extend their current temporary stay in Lesotho for a prescribed activity beyond the period granted on entry. It is a short, renewable in-country authorisation rather than a long-term residence permit, and is applied for through the online form and VFS facilitation, with assessment by the Ministry of Home Affairs in Maseru. Applicants submit a certified passport copy, photos, a police clearance (waived for under-16s) and a letter to the Director of Immigration requesting permission to reside. Government fees are set under the Aliens Control (Amendment of Schedule) Regulations, 2018 but are not published online.
Letter to the Director of ImmigrationLetter requesting permission to reside in Lesotho for the prescribed activity.
Police clearanceOptionalPolice clearance certificate (waived for applicants under 16 years).
Proof of paymentConfirmation of payment of the prescribed fee.
Tourist Visa
Lesotho Tourist Visa (e-Visa)
Nationals who are not visa-exempt require a tourist visa to enter Lesotho for leisure, sightseeing or visiting family and friends. Lesotho launched an online e-Visa platform on 1 May 2017, but the eVisa system is currently suspended and applications are handled by email to the Department of Immigration (visa-applications.immigration@gov.ls). A single-entry visa permits a stay of up to 44 days from issue and costs US$150; a multiple-entry visa is valid 180 days and costs US$250. Decisions were typically issued within about 72 hours when the portal operated, and the High Commission quotes a minimum of 5 working days. The visa is for tourism and does not authorise work, study or long-term residence.
Visa applicationCompleted visa application (online form when the eVisa portal operates, otherwise by email).
Valid passportPassport valid at least 6 months from entry with at least 4 blank pages.
Passport photographRecent colour passport-size photo taken within the last 6 months.
Proof of accommodationHotel booking or host address in Lesotho.
Travel itineraryFlight or travel plans including return or onward ticket.
Proof of fundsBank statements or pay slips (last 6 months) showing sufficient means.
Proof of fee paymentConfirmation of the US$150 single-entry (or US$250 multiple-entry) visa fee.
Business Visitor Visa
Lesotho Business Visa (e-Visa)
The business visa is for non-exempt nationals travelling to Lesotho for meetings, negotiations, conferences and similar short business activity. It is one of the e-Visa categories (the eVisa portal is currently suspended, with applications handled by email). A single-entry business visa allows a stay of up to 44 days and costs US$150, while a multiple-entry business visa is valid 180 days and costs US$250. Applicants must provide a company letter from their home employer and an official invitation from the host company in Lesotho, alongside proof of funds, accommodation and onward travel. The visa permits business activity but not local employment, for which a work and residence permit is required.
Visa applicationCompleted business visa application.
Valid passportPassport valid at least 6 months from entry with at least 4 blank pages.
Passport photographsTwo recent colour passport-size photos taken within the last 6 months.
Company letter from home countryLetter from the applicant's employer stating the purpose of travel.
Invitation from Lesotho host companyOfficial invitation letter from the host company in Lesotho.
Proof of financial meansEvidence of funds sufficient for the visit.
Proof of accommodationHotel booking or host address in Lesotho.
Return or onward ticketEvidence of onward travel out of Lesotho.
Not yet researched
Transit Visa
Medical Treatment Visa
Pilgrimage Visa
1 route
Study & Training
Universities, language courses, internships and exchanges.
Student Visa
Lesotho Study Permit
The study permit is issued by the Department of Immigration to foreign nationals admitted to a recognised educational institution in Lesotho. It is granted for the length of the course, up to a maximum of about four years, and requires a letter of acceptance for a full-time programme plus proof of sufficient funds to cover living expenses. Applicants also submit a medical certificate and police clearance. The permit authorises study; it does not give general access to the labour market. Government fees follow the Aliens Control schedule and are not published online.
Study: Full-time enrolment at the admitting institution for up to four years.
Proof of sufficient fundsEvidence of funds to cover tuition and living expenses for the study period.
Medical certificateMedical certificate from a government medical practitioner.
Police clearanceOptionalPolice clearance certificate (waived for applicants under 16).
Proof of paymentConfirmation of payment of the prescribed fee.
Not yet researched
Language Course Visa
Internship / Trainee Visa
Exchange Program Visa
3 routes
Work & Self-Employment
Digital nomad, freelance, skilled employment and company transfers.
Skilled Work Visa
Lesotho Doctors and Nurses Permit
The Doctor's and Nurses permit is a dedicated residence-and-work permit category for foreign medical professionals employed in Lesotho's health sector. It is granted as a renewable two-year residence permit (and is also available as an indefinite permit) by the Ministry of Home Affairs against a confirmed post and a labour-endorsed work permit. Applicants provide an employer letter, professional registration and employment contract, a medical certificate, police clearance and tax clearances. Government fees follow the Aliens Control schedule and are not published online.
Work: Authorises medical practice at the named facility; renewable while the contract is valid.
Study: Lawful residence permits study.
Residency: Renewable two-year permit; an indefinite permit is available for long-term holders.
Validity
730 days
Document checklist (8)
Completed online formMedical professional permit application completed online.
Employer letterLetter from the health facility confirming the post.
Professional registrationRegistration with the relevant Lesotho medical or nursing council.
Employment contractEmployment contract for the medical post.
Work permitWork permit endorsed by the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
Valid passportCertified copy of the valid passport.
Medical certificateMedical certificate from a government medical practitioner.
Police clearancePolice clearance from Lesotho and country of origin (first-time applicants).
Skilled Work Visa
Lesotho Teacher's Permit
The Teacher's permit is a dedicated residence-and-work permit category for foreigners employed as teachers at an educational institution in Lesotho. It is granted as a renewable two-year residence permit (and is also available as an indefinite permit), issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs against a confirmed teaching post and a labour-endorsed work permit. Applicants provide an employer letter, teaching contract, medical certificate, police clearance and tax clearances. Government fees follow the Aliens Control schedule and are not published online.
Work: Authorises teaching at the named institution; renewable while the contract is valid.
Study: Lawful residence permits study.
Residency: Renewable two-year permit; an indefinite teacher's permit is available for long-term holders.
Employer letterLetter from the educational institution confirming the teaching post.
Employment contractTeaching employment contract.
Work permitWork permit endorsed by the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
Valid passportCertified copy of the valid passport.
Medical certificateMedical certificate from a government medical practitioner.
Police clearancePolice clearance from Lesotho and country of origin (first-time applicants).
Proof of paymentConfirmation of payment of the prescribed fee.
Skilled Work Visa
Lesotho Work Permit and Residence Permit
Lesotho does not issue a dedicated long-stay work visa; foreign workers enter on a visitor visa or visa-free and then apply at the Department of Immigration and Passport Services for a combined work and residence permit, with the work permit endorsed by the Ministry of Labour and Employment. The permit is granted for an initial period of up to two years and is renewable while the local employment contract remains valid. Applicants must hold a confirmed job and provide an employer invitation letter, the labour-endorsed work permit, a medical certificate, police clearance and tax clearances. The Lesotho National Development Corporation assists registered investors and their employees with work permits and licences.
Work: Authorises employment with the sponsoring employer; renewable while the contract is valid.
Study: Lawful residence permits study alongside the employment.
Residency: Renewable two-year permits can lead to an indefinite (permanent) permit; no fixed statutory period published.
Validity
730 days
Document checklist (8)
Completed application formWork and residence permit application via the online form.
Employer invitation letterLetter from the Lesotho employer confirming the job offer and engagement.
Work permit endorsementWork permit certified by the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
Valid passportCertified copy of the valid passport.
Medical certificateMedical certificate from a government medical practitioner.
Police clearancePolice clearance from Lesotho and from the country of origin (first-time applicants).
Proof of paymentConfirmation of payment of the prescribed permit fee.
Not yet researched
Digital Nomad Visa
Freelancer Visa
Self-Employment Visa
Startup / Entrepreneur Visa
Seasonal Work Visa
Intra-Company Transfer Visa
2 routes
Invest & Capital
Golden visas, real estate, citizenship by investment, passive income.
Business Investor Visa
Lesotho LNDC-Facilitated Foreign Investor Route
The Lesotho National Development Corporation (LNDC), the government's industrial-development parastatal, facilitates inward investment — especially in textile, apparel and sporting goods, Lesotho's largest manufacturing and export sector — by providing factory space at discounted rents, long-term loans, tax incentives and direct assistance with work permits and business licences. There is no separate investor visa; investors and their staff obtain the standard business and work/residence permits, with LNDC streamlining the process. Foreign investors must meet the trader's-licence capital requirement of about US$123,152 under the Business Licensing and Registration Act 2019 (the Central Bank Act references US$250,000), and manufacturing exporters benefit from customs-duty rebates and no withholding tax on dividends.
Work: Investor and approved staff work under the business and work permits LNDC helps facilitate.
Study: Lawful residence permits study.
Residency: Via renewable business/work permits leading to an indefinite permit; no fixed statutory period published.
Validity
730 days
Min. investment
$123,152
Document checklist (6)
Investment project registrationRegistration of the investment project with LNDC.
Company registrationLesotho company registration documents.
Trader's licenceValid trader's licence with proof of the required investment capital.
Business planBusiness and investment plan supporting the project.
Work and residence permit applicationStandard work and residence permit applications for the investor and key staff.
Tax clearancesPersonal and company tax clearance certificates.
Business Investor Visa
Lesotho Business People Permit (Investor Residence)
The Business People permit is the residence route for foreigners who own or wish to open a business in Lesotho. It is a two-year renewable residence permit (also available as an indefinite permit) issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, conditional on holding a trader's licence, a labour-endorsed work permit, an employment contract and personal and company tax clearances. Lesotho has no passive golden-visa or citizenship-by-investment programme; investor migration is tied to an active, licensed business. Under the Business Licensing and Registration Act 2019, foreign investors must provide capital of about US$123,152 (with the Central Bank Act referencing a higher US$250,000 threshold) when registering or renewing a trader's licence, and certain small-scale sectors are reserved for Basotho citizens.
Work: Authorises operating the licensed business in Lesotho.
Study: Lawful residence permits study.
Residency: Renewable two-year permit; an indefinite (permanent) business permit is available for long-term holders.
Trader's licenceValid trader's licence for the business in Lesotho.
Work permitWork permit certified by the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
Tax clearancesPersonal and company tax clearance certificates.
Medical certificateMedical certificate from a government medical practitioner.
Police clearancePolice clearance from Lesotho and country of origin (first-time applicants; waived under 16).
Company memorandumOptionalMemorandum of association (for company directors).
Proof of paymentConfirmation of payment of the prescribed fee.
Not yet researched
Golden Visa (Residence by Investment)
Residence by Real Estate
Citizenship by Investment
Non-Lucrative / Passive Income Visa
No verified routes yet
Retire & Lifestyle
Retirement visas and working holiday schemes.
Not yet researched
Retirement Visa
Working Holiday Visa
3 routes
Family & Origin
Reunification, spouse routes and ancestry-based repatriation.
Family Reunification Visa
Lesotho Joining Relative Permit
The Joining Relative permit is issued to a foreigner who joins a relative already holding a temporary permit, a permanent (indefinite) permit, or Lesotho citizenship, in order to reside with them in the Kingdom. It is granted as a renewable two-year residence permit (and is also available as an indefinite permit) by the Ministry of Home Affairs. Applicants must prove the family relationship and the relative's status, and provide a medical certificate and police clearance. Government fees follow the Aliens Control schedule and are not published online.
Study: Lawful residence permits study.
Residency: Renewable two-year permit; an indefinite joining-relative permit is available for long-term holders.
Family: Used to bring dependent relatives and children to join a resident or citizen.
Medical certificateMedical certificate from a government medical practitioner.
Police clearanceOptionalPolice clearance (waived for applicants under 16).
Spouse / Partner Visa
Lesotho Spouse Joining Spouse Permit
The Spouse Joining Spouse permit allows the foreign spouse of a Lesotho resident or citizen to reside in the Kingdom. It is granted as a renewable two-year residence permit (and is also available as an indefinite permit) by the Ministry of Home Affairs, conditional on a recognised marriage and the sponsor's residence or citizenship status. Applicants provide a marriage certificate, the sponsor's status documents, a medical certificate and police clearance. A related 'Married Women' permit category also exists. Government fees follow the Aliens Control schedule and are not published online.
Study: Lawful residence permits study.
Residency: Renewable two-year permit; an indefinite spouse permit is available for long-term holders.
Family: Permit is for the spouse of the resident or citizen; children apply via joining-relative permits.
Medical certificateMedical certificate from a government medical practitioner.
Police clearancePolice clearance from Lesotho and country of origin (first-time applicants).
Ancestry / Repatriation
Lesotho Returning Citizen Permit
The Returning Citizens permit is issued to a person who was previously a citizen of the Kingdom of Lesotho and wishes to return and reside in the country. It is available as a renewable two-year residence permit and as an indefinite permit, granted by the Ministry of Home Affairs on proof of former Lesotho citizenship. Applicants provide evidence of prior citizenship, the standard identity documents, a medical certificate and police clearance. Government fees follow the Aliens Control schedule and are not published online.
Work: Former citizens returning to reside generally have broad residence rights; employment may still require labour endorsement.
Study: Lawful residence permits study.
Residency: Renewable two-year permit and an indefinite permit are available; former citizens may also pursue resumption of citizenship.
Medical certificateMedical certificate from a government medical practitioner.
Police clearancePolice clearance from Lesotho and country of origin (first-time applicants).
Not yet researched
Dependent Relative Visa
2 routes
Special Categories
Talent, religious, humanitarian, media, official and permanent residence.
Religious Worker Visa
Lesotho Missionary's Permit
The Missionary's permit is a dedicated residence-permit category for foreign religious workers serving with a church or religious organisation in Lesotho. It is granted as a renewable two-year residence permit (and is also available as an indefinite permit) by the Ministry of Home Affairs, supported by a letter from the sponsoring religious organisation. Applicants also provide a medical certificate, police clearance and the standard supporting documents. Government fees follow the Aliens Control schedule and are not published online.
Work: Authorises religious work with the sponsoring organisation.
Study: Lawful residence permits study.
Residency: Renewable two-year permit; an indefinite missionary permit is available for long-term holders.
Medical certificateMedical certificate from a government medical practitioner.
Police clearancePolice clearance from Lesotho and country of origin (first-time applicants).
Proof of paymentConfirmation of payment of the prescribed fee.
Permanent Residence
Lesotho Indefinite (Permanent) Residence Permit
The Indefinite permit is Lesotho's permanent residence permit, granted for an unlimited duration by the Ministry of Home Affairs to foreigners who have established long-term ties under one of the recognised categories — business people, teachers, doctors and nurses, missionaries, spouses, joining relatives, returning citizens, married women or students. It is typically reached after holding the corresponding renewable two-year permit and meeting the category conditions. Applicants provide category-specific evidence, identity documents, a medical certificate, police clearance and tax clearances. Government fees follow the Aliens Control schedule and are not published online.
Work: Permanent residents may live and, within their category, work in Lesotho on a settled basis.
Study: Settled residence permits study.
Residency: This is the permanent (indefinite) residence permit; long residence can support a later citizenship application.
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