Entry/Exit Requirements

U.S. citizens entering Lesotho must present a valid passport. Visas are not required for U.S. citizens visiting for 180 days or fewer. Vaccination for yellow fever is a common requirement throughout the region, and travelers should carry their international vaccination cards with them. For more information concerning entry requirements, travelers may contact the Embassy of the Kingdom of Lesotho, 2511 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008, tel. (202) 797-5533. 

Attention new South Africa Regulations: Travelers who intend to visit or transfer through South Africa should pay careful attention to new and additional travel requirements for at least two blank (unstamped) visa pages and carrying unabridged birth certificates for all children under 18. Please see Country Specific Information for South Africa for additional information.

While U.S. citizens normally do not need a visa for South Africa if they plan to stay less than 90 days, South African visa requirements are different for individuals who are residents of Lesotho. It is common for foreigners residing in Lesotho to receive seven-day visas when crossing into South Africa by road. Travelers who overstay in South Africa may be declared “undesirable” by the immigration authorities and barred from entering South Africa. Travelers planning to visit South Africa for a longer period should check with the High Commission of South Africa in Maseru on how to obtain a visa for a longer stay. 

The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of Lesotho.

Information about dual nationality or the prevention of international child abduction can be found on our website. For further information about customs regulations, please read our Customs Information page.