Guidance

Living in Lesotho

Information for British citizens moving to or living in Lesotho, including guidance on residency, healthcare and driving.

From:
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
Published
12 May 2023

This guide sets out essential information for British citizens moving to or living in Lesotho. Read about how our British High Commission in Lesotho can help. There is no public access to the British High Commission in Maseru. UK nationals needing consular assistance in Lesotho should contact British High Commission in Pretoria.

This information is provided as a guide only. You should get definitive information from the Lesotho authorities. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) is not liable for any inaccuracies in this information.

Support for British Nationals Abroad: A Guide sets out how British nationals can stay safe abroad and how the FCDO can help if you do get into difficulty.

Read general guidance on moving or retiring abroad.

To stay up to date: follow the British High Commission in Maseru on Facebook UKinLesotho and the British High Commissioner on Twitter.

Before you go

See our travel advice for Lesotho for up-to-date information on entry requirements, local laws and customs, safety and emergencies.

Visas and residency

Check the entry requirements for Lesotho in our travel advice.

British nationals obtain a visa on arrival for a stay of up to 30 days. Visit Lesotho’s E-Visa website for additional information.

If you intend to remain in Lesotho longer, you should apply for a permit online after entering Lesotho. Once you have submitted your online application and paid the applicable visa fee, you can schedule an appointment for biometrics at the VFS office in Maseru.

Lesotho offers the following permit types:

  • 90-day temporary permit is issued to an applicant who wishes to extend their current temporary permit by another 90 days

  • 2-year residence permit is issued to an applicant who wishes to live in Lesotho for 2 years or less for business, family, marriage, study or other purposes

  • indefinite permit for applicants wishing to remain in Lesotho for more than 2 years for business, family, marriage, study or other purposes

All processed applications are delivered to the district office in which the applicant resides. You should contact the applicable district office for the outcome of your application.

The Ministry of Home Affairs is responsible for immigration services in Lesotho.

The High Commission of the Kingdom of Lesotho is located in London, United Kingdom.

Healthcare in Lesotho

Lesotho does not have a reciprocal health agreement with the UK and visitors to Lesotho are advised to apply for medical or travel insurance ahead of their arrival. It is important to have private healthcare cover for Lesotho which includes cover for specialist treatment in South Africa.

See our list of medical facilities in Lesotho.

Medical facilities in Lesotho are limited and emergency services may not be readily available.  Most expatriates use medical facilities in the city of Bloemfontein, South Africa, a 90-minute (140 km) drive from Maseru. ER24 provide emergency medical response in Lesotho. They are owned by Mediclinic and they have an ambulance located close to the Maseru border post.

You should confirm that your international medical insurance is accepted prior to undergoing treatment.

NOTE: UK travel insurance providers will not generally cover your healthcare costs if you live overseas.

Medicine

If you are on a prescription for any medication, you should ensure you have a supply of it, or are able to obtain it when in Lesotho. Certain medicines may not be available in Lesotho, including major brands readily available in the UK, and you may be prohibited from taking them into the country. You should consult your GP before travelling to Lesotho to find out about any alternative medication.

Read the guidance if you need to travel with medicines.

Working in Lesotho

If you are planning to move to Lesotho and work, you can initially enter on a visitor’s visa, available on arrival. Thereafter you will need to apply for a residency permit online, or a profession specific permit.

To apply for a residency permit you should have already found a job in Lesotho, as you will be required to provide an invitation letter from your employer. A full list of requirements is available on the website.

The Ministry of Labour and Employment is the responsible authority for all matters relating to labour in Lesotho.

Studying in Lesotho

The education system in Lesotho comprises basic education (primary and secondary) and tertiary education (technical and vocational education, college and university education). International schools offering pre-school to secondary education are available in Lesotho.

Whilst we are unable to recommend a particular international school, here is a list of service providers. This information is impartial, and none of these service providers are recommended by the FCDO. You should do your own research before deciding which provider to use.

The Ministry of Education and Training is responsible for education.

The Council on Higher Education (CHE) is responsible for the quality assurance and accreditation of all tertiary education in Lesotho. You should contact the CHE if you require your overseas qualification to be evaluated for recognition in Lesotho. The application form and documentation requirements are available on their website, as well as a list of accredited tertiary study institutions.

If you plan to move to Lesotho for tertiary study, you will need to apply for a study permit online through VFS office in Maseru. You can enter Lesotho on a visa and apply for a study residence permit from within the country. To apply for a study residence permit you should be in possession of an admission letter from the tertiary facility. A full list of requirements is available online.

Contact the relevant tertiary education provider in Lesotho to check what fees are payable.

Tax

The UK has a double taxation agreement with Lesotho so that you do not pay tax on the same income in both countries. Ask the relevant tax authority your questions about double taxation relief.

The Revenue Services Lesotho (RSL) is the responsible tax authority in Lesotho. You can contact the RSL using:

You should get professional advice on paying tax in Lesotho. Find an English-speaking lawyer in Lesotho.

Read guidance on:

Benefits

Check which UK benefits you can claim while abroad and how to claim them.

Many income-related benefits such as Pension Credit and Housing Benefit cannot be paid if you are abroad for more than 4 weeks.

Pensions

Read State Pension guidance if you have lived in Australia, Canada or New Zealand and you are claiming or waiting to claim your UK State Pension.

If you retire in Lesotho, you can claim your UK State Pension or new UK State Pension. Contact the International Pension Centre for further information.

Retirement age in Lesotho is 70 years. Only resident citizens of Lesotho who are not receiving any other pension may qualify for Lesotho’s Old Age Pension.

Life certificates for UK State Pensions

If you get a ‘life certificate’ form from the UK Pension Service, you must respond as soon as possible. Your payments may be suspended if you do not.

Money and Banking

The currency in Lesotho is the Loti (plural: Maloti). South African Rand (ZAR) is accepted, however you may receive change in Maloti (LSL).

The banking system in Lesotho comprises of the Lesotho Central Bank and four commercial banks, namely:

Most foreigners can open a local currency bank account in Lesotho, contact the commercial banks for their requirements.

Accommodation and buying property

See buying a property abroad.

Under the Land Act 2010 it is possible for foreign nationals to purchase property in Lesotho, provided 20% of the property is owned by a Masotho person. The Land Administration Authority is responsible for the issuing of title deeds and other related services.

If you would like more information on buying property in Lesotho, you should get professional advice. Find an English-speaking lawyer in Lesotho.

Driving in Lesotho

Read the guidance on:

If you are asked for a letter authenticating, certifying or validating your UK driver’s licence, you should contact your UK issuing office (e.g. the DVLA).

In Lesotho traffic moves on the left, with right-hand drive vehicles. To drive a motor vehicle, you should be 18 years or older, and 16 years or older to drive a motorcycle.

You must be in possession of your valid UK driver’s licence and an international driving permit to drive legally in Lesotho.

If you wish to convert your international licence to a Lesotho driver’s licence, you should contact the Ministry of Public Works and Transport.

If you wish to obtain your driver’s licence in Lesotho, you should first apply for a learner driver licence, and successfully complete a driving theory and practical test.

Apply for a learner driver licence at the Traffic and Transport Department, Public Works and Transport. You will need a valid passport, a medical certificate indicating you have passed the eyesight examination, two passport colour photographs, a completed T.C. 14 form available from their office, and pay the applicable fee. Alternatively, you can apply through an approved driving school in your area. This will incur an additional fee.

To schedule an appointment for a driver’s licence theory test and the practical test, you should have a valid learner’s licence and a valid passport, complete form T.C. 16 and pay the required fee. Alternatively, you can apply through an approved driving school in your area. This will incur an additional fee.

After successful completion of your theory and practical test, your fingerprints and height will be taken. You will be required to complete application form T.C. 28 available from their offices.

Contact the Ministry of Public Works and Transport to confirm the service fee.

Moshoeshoe Road
Maseru 100
Industrial Area
Lesotho

Email: cio@mopwt.gov.ls
Telephone: +266 (0)2232 7310

Computerization Manager, Traffic and Transport Department Telephone: +266 (0)2231 3739

Disabled drivers

If you have a UK Blue Badge and live in Lesotho, you must return it to the original UK issuing authority.

Voting

You may be able to vote in some UK elections. You can:

Births, deaths, marriage and civil partnership

Births

If your child is born in Lesotho you should register the birth with the local authorities. You can then register with the UK authorities and apply for a UK birth certificate.

If your child has British nationality, you do not need to register the birth with the UK authorities to apply for a British passport.

The responsible authority in Lesotho is the Ministry of Home Affairs, National Identity and Civil Registry (NICR) department. If your child is born at a medical facility, the facility will assist you in registering the birth of your child. If for any reason your child is not registered, the medical facility will issue a letter which you can use to apply for a birth certificate at a NICR office closest to the place of birth within three months. A late registration penalty will be charged if your child is not registered on time.

Deaths

If someone dies in Lesotho read our guidance on:

Marriage and civil partnership

Find out how you can get married or get a civil partnership abroad.

You can legally get married in Lesotho from 21 years of age. Parents or guardians can give consent for women to get married at 16 and men from 18 years of age.

Same-sex marriage is not recognised in Lesotho.

In Lesotho, marriages are registered at the offices of the Ministry of Home Affairs, NICR department.

If you wish to register your marriage in Lesotho, both parties should visit the NICR at the Ministry of Home Affairs. You should make an appointment with the NICR if you wish to get married in one of their offices, or to register your marriage. The marriage certificate is issued immediately on application. You will both need to present a valid passport, proof of residential address, proof of age, witness to the marriage and their identity document, as well as the divorce decree and certificate to remarry if applicable.

The UK does not issue certificates of no impediment (CNI) for marriages in Commonwealth countries. You will need to explain this if you are asked to provide a CNI or a similar document to prove you are allowed to marry. You can contact the British High Commission in Pretoria to request a CNI letter for Lesotho.

Pets

Your pets should meet the import requirements for Lesotho and South Africa. It is recommended that you use the services of a pet relocation specialist to assist you.

Pet import requirements in Lesotho:

  • microchips may be required (or with a 15 digit ISO compliant pet microchip)
  • while a rabies titer test is not mandatory, all pets must be vaccinated against rabies between 30 days to 12 months of entering the country
  • an import permit is required to enter Lesotho. The permit is issued by the Director of Animal Health and is valid for 6 months after the date of issuance
  • a licensed veterinarian must complete the health certificate shortly prior to travel
  • pets entering Lesotho must enter at Moshoeshoe Airport in Maseru
  • all pets must be free of evidence of disease communicable to humans when examined at the entry airport
  • Lesotho does not publish a list of banned breeds

Emergencies

Dial 112 for the police, ambulance, fire brigade, or to report a missing person.

Dial +27 (0)10 205 3588 for ER24 private emergency response services located in South Africa.

If you are the victim of a rape or sexual assault.

Find an English-speaking lawyer in Lesotho.

If you are the victim of a crime, have been arrested, or are affected by a crisis, contact the British High Commission in Pretoria.

Read the guidance on international parental child abduction.

Returning to the UK

Read the guidance on returning to the UK permanently which includes information on bringing family members, tax and access to services.

Published 12 May 2023
Contents