| Visa / permit | Use case | Key features | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business visa | Meetings, site visits, negotiations, short training (no local employment) | Short stay; check nationality exemptions; single vs multiple entry fees | Ministry of Home Affairs – eServices |
| Visitor/tourist visa | Tourism or family visits (no work) | Short stay; no employment | Ministry of Home Affairs – eServices |
| Residence permit | Stays >180 days (employees, investors, traders, dependants, missionaries, students) | Typically 2-year validity for employees/investors/traders | Ministry of Home Affairs – eServices |
| Permanent residence (indefinite sojourn) | Long-term residents who meet eligibility | Live/work without repeated renewals; evidence-based adjudication | Ministry of Home Affairs – eServices |
Business visa
The business visa supports short visits for meetings, site inspections, negotiations, and training that does not constitute local employment. Applications are filed via Lesotho missions or (where available) online channels. Check nationality exemptions and your routing.
| Step | Action | Documents (typical) | Indicative time | Govt fee | Investor notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Check whether you need a visa or are exempt | Passport (6+ months validity); itinerary | Same day (online) | — | Confirm via airline (IATA Timatic) and MoHA e-Services |
| 2 | Prepare application (embassy/consulate or e-Visa, if available) | Invitation from Lesotho sponsor; sponsor trader’s licence and tax clearance; sponsor ID; proof of funds; return/onward ticket; photos | ≈3–10 working days | Single: M1,000; Multiple: M2,000 | Sponsor documents must be current; names/addresses must match |
| 3 | Submit and pay fees | Completed forms; receipt | As above | Govt fee + any mission/VAC fees | Keep official receipts |
| 4 | Collect visa / travel | Approval / vignette | — | — | Carry sponsor letter for border queries |
Passport validity and blank pages – practical note
Ensure passport validity per routing and maintain empty visa/stamp pages. If you route via South Africa (common for Lesotho access), South Africa requires two consecutive completely blank pages for entry/exit. Airlines assess entry rules using IATA Timatic; confirm with your airline before travel.