You do not need a visa for South Africa if you have a Lesotho passport

Entry requirements for Lesotho travellers

These rules apply specifically to Lesotho passport holders entering South Africa as tourists. Each one links to the official source where available.

• Required

  Mandatory proof of return or onward ticket from South Africa

  Travelers require proof of a ticket showing their entrance and exit from South Africa.

  • This requirement doesn’t apply to the following travelers: -Nationals of South Africa; -Foreign nationals residing in South Africa.
  South Africa Department of Home Affairs Last checked 2026-07-24
• Required

  Mandatory travel declaration form before entering South Africa

  Travelers must complete an Online Travel Declaration form before travel to South Africa. The declaration covers goods and currency in their possession. Travelers must complete the online declaration within 24 hours of their final departure for South Africa. Travelers who have connecting flights, submit it within 24 hours before the last flight to South Africa. A parent, legal guardian, caretaker, or other assisting person may complete the declaration on behalf of a minor or a traveler who is unable to complete it themselves. Travelers can complete the declaration via the SARS Customs Online Traveler Declaration Portal, the SATMS mobile application, or a Scan-to-Declare QR code. Travelers who have not completed the declaration before arriving in South Africa can still enter the country and submit it on-site, using self-service terminals or with assistance from SARS Customs officials at the port of entry. Completing the declaration before travel is recommended to speed up border processing, but doing so at the port is an accepted alternative. Travelers must still ensure the declaration is submitted and accurate. Failing to declare goods or currency altogether, or providing false information, may result in processing delays, financial penalties, or the detention and forfeiture of goods.

  • This requirement doesn't apply to the following travelers: -Travelers transiting through South Africa who remain in the international transit area.
  South African Revenue Service Last checked 2026-07-03
• Required

  Mandatory travel declaration form before exiting South Africa

  Travelers must complete an Online Travel Declaration form before travel from South Africa. The declaration covers goods and currency in their possession. Travelers must complete the online declaration within 24 hours of their final departure from South Africa. A parent, legal guardian, caretaker, or other assisting person may complete the declaration on behalf of a minor or a traveler who is unable to complete it themselves. Travelers can complete the declaration via the SARS Customs Online Traveler Declaration Portal, the SATMS mobile application, or a Scan-to-Declare QR code. Travelers who have not completed the declaration before arriving in South Africa can still enter the country and submit it on-site, using self-service terminals or with assistance from SARS Customs officials at the port of entry. Completing the declaration before travel is recommended to speed up border processing, but doing so at the port is an accepted alternative. Travelers must still ensure the declaration is submitted and accurate. Failing to declare goods or currency altogether, or providing false information, may result in processing delays, financial penalties, or the detention and forfeiture of goods.

  South African Revenue Service Last checked 2026-07-03
• Required

  Travelers require a passport valid for at least 30 days after the traveler exits South Africa

  Travelers need a valid passport to enter South Africa. The traveler's passport must remain valid for at least 30 days after the traveler departs from South Africa. The passport must have at least 2 blank pages.

  • South African citizens, including dual nationals, must enter and exit South Africa using a valid South African passport. Only those who have formally renounced citizenship with written confirmation from Home Affairs are exempt.
  South Africa Department of Home Affairs Last checked 2026-07-29
• May be required

  Travelers under the age of 18 may require additional documents

  Travelers under 18 years traveling to South Africa with one or both parents, or with an adult who is not their biological parent, need only present a valid passport. However, unaccompanied travelers must provide: birth certificate, parental consent letters from the parent(s) or legal guardian(s) cited on the birth certificate, copies of parents' or legal guardians' passports or identity documents, parents' or legal guardians' contact details, a letter from the receiving person with their address and contact details, and a copy of the receiving person's identity document or valid passport and visa or permanent residence permit. The parental consent letter must not be older than 6 months when presented. Additional documents may be required if applicable, such as death certificates, court orders, or adoption orders. School groups with a principal's letter confirming all consents are held by the school are exempt from individual documentation requirements. This applies to schools registered with the South African Department of Basic Education and equivalent institutions abroad.

  • This requirement doesn't apply to the following travelers: - Travelers under 18 who are in direct transit at an international airport.
  South Africa Department of Home Affairs Last checked 2026-07-24
• Recommended

  Recommended vaccinations for South Africa

  Travelers should consider: -Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B vaccines; -Typhoid vaccine for visits to smaller cities or rural areas; -Routine vaccines including Measles. Additional vaccine recommendations may apply. Consult your healthcare provider and check the source for details.

  CDC - South Africa Last checked 2026-07-24
• Not required

  Proof of COVID-19 vaccination is not required for South Africa

  Travelers don’t need proof of COVID-19 vaccination before traveling to South Africa.

  Last checked 2026-07-24
• Not required

  Proof of pre-departure COVID-19 test is not required

  Travelers don’t need a COVID-19 test before traveling to South Africa.

  Last checked 2026-07-24
• Not required

  Transit visa is not required

  Travelers do not need a visa to transit through South Africa.

  Last checked 2026-07-24

A look at South Africa

South Africa visa requirements by passport