LESOTHO CITIZENS

1. APPLYING FOR A LESOTHO PASSPORT

2. AUTHENTICATIONS OF LESOTHO PUBLIC DOCUMENTS

3. APOSTILLES OF ORIGINAL PUBLIC DOCUMENTS

4. DEATH AND REPATRIATION

5. EMERGENCY CONSULAR ASSISTANCE
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The Lesotho High Commission processes all Passport applications for Lesotho Citizens resident in Canada and the Caribbean


1. APPLYING FOR A LESOTHO PASSPORT

To begin the process of passport application, an application letter needs to be submitted to the Lesotho High Commission indicating:
 

1. Applicant’s full name and contact details in Canada or the Caribbean. Contact details should also include telephone numbers and email address as an application interview will be conducted;

2. Applicant’s Lesotho background (birth, residential details inclusive of Headman – morena oa motse/ sebaka);

3. Applicant’s status in Canada or the Caribbean (i.e. student, permanent resident etc.) providing certified proof;

4. Reason for Passport application:
   a. Providing certified copies of information pages of old passport in the case of a renewal;
   b. Providing a certified copy of police report in the case of a lost/ missing passport;
   c. Providing certified copies of child’s birth certificate and Passports of both parents in the case of a foreign birth.
    

The application letter should be submitted in either Sesotho or English addressed to:

The High Commissioner
Lesotho High Commission
1820-130 Albert Street
Ottawa, ON
K1P 5G4


THE APPLICATION PROCESS (distant applications)

On receipt the application letter, an interview will be arranged by the Mission’s Consular Officer to verify particulars of the applicant. Immediately following this, a passport application form will be dispatched to the applicant to be duly completed and sent back to the High Commission with all the required supporting documents (as indicated in the application form). Where fingerprinting is required, these should be taken at the Office of a Lesotho Honorary Consul, Local Police Station or Commissioner of Oaths. Separate certification of fingerprinting should be provided.

The completed application package should be mailed via courier or registered mail to the Lesotho High Commission which will then be forwarded to the Department of Immigration in Maseru which is where all Lesotho Passports are processed. The new Passport will then be sent to the High Commission in Ottawa for collection or onward transmission to the applicant.


THE APPLICATION PROCESS (local applications)

Where an applicant is able to present themselves in person to the Lesotho High Commission in Ottawa, they are invited to do so at their convenience within the Mission’s Consular Hours:

Monday to Wednesday between 0900 hours to 1500 hours.

Although assistance will be available on a walk-in basis during the Mission’s Consular hours, applicants are strongly encouraged to make prior arrangements by telephone to secure a confirmed interview time for their application. Applicants should ensure to bring along with them:

1. The written application letter (as above)

2. 2 recent passport sized photographs (in colour on white background)

3. The application fee

4. Their current passport (in case of a renewal)

5. Certified police report (in the case of a lost passport)

6. Certified proof of residency in Canada

7. Upon a successful interview, the application form will be duly completed and the package will be dispatched to the Department of Immigration in Maseru which is where all Lesotho Passports are processed. The new Passport will then be sent to the High Commission in Ottawa for collection or onward transmission to the applicant.

 *Please note that the process takes approximately 4 – 6 weeks from the date of transmission of the application package to Maseru. The applicant will be advised immediately when the passport is available for collection.



APPLICATION FEE

The application fee for a Lesotho Passport is M100.00 or R100.00 (ZAR) accepted as cash hand delivered to:

Consular Directorate (VISA Section)
Ministry of Foreigh Affairs and International Relations
Qhobosheaneng Office Complex
P. O. Box 1387
Maseru 100
 

DOWNLOADS

• Lesotho Passport Application Guidelines

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AUTHENTICATIONS AND APOSTILLES

The Lesotho High Commission can provide verification that a Lesotho Public Document is genuine through Authentications and Apostilles.



2. AUTHENTICATIONS OF LESOTHO PUBLIC DOCUMENTS

Authentications (usually of Drivers’ Licenses, Passports and other Identity Documents) are processed through database referencing. This usually does not require the applicant to transmit the original document to the Mission unless required to do so by the Consular Officer when deemed necessary. To facilitate the Authentication process, the applicant should send a written request (attaching high resolution copies of the document) to the High Commission.

The written request in either Sesotho or English should be addressed to:

The High Commissioner
Lesotho High Commission
1820-130 Albert Street
Ottawa, ON
K1P 5G4

OR PREFERRABLY scanned and emailed to:

lesotho.ottawa@bellnet.ca

Emails should bear the subject line:
Request for Lesotho “DOCUMENT TYPE” Authentication – “NAME + FAMILY NAME (PREFIX)”
e.g. Request for Lesotho Drivers License Authentication – John Smith (Mr.)


APPLICATION PROCESS

Upon receipt of the written request the Consular Office will verify the authenticity of the document in question with authorities in Lesotho. On successful confirmation, an Authentication letter will be produced by the Mission and sent to the applicant by registered mail. This process takes approximately 7 working days.


APPLICATION FEE

There is no charge for the processing of Authentications.



3. APOSTILLES OF ORIGINAL PUBLIC DOCUMENTS

Apostilles are done for original documents only. The applicant should send a written request to the High Commission attaching a certified copy of the original document (Usually a Birth or Death Certificate, Land Deed and other Legal Document). The applicant should provide their full contact details inclusive of telephone number and email as an interview will be conducted. Following this, the applicant will be advised on sending the original document to the Lesotho High Commission by courier or registered mail for the Apostille to be processed.

The written request in either Sesotho or English (sent along with attachments) should be addressed to:


The High Commissioner
Lesotho High Commission
1820-130 Albert Street
Ottawa, ON
K1P 5G4

OR PREFERRABLY scanned and emailed to:

lesotho.ottawa@bellnet.ca

Emails should bear the subject line:
Request for Apostille of Lesotho “DOCUMENT TYPE”– “NAME + FAMILY NAME (PREFIX)”
e.g. Request for Apostille of Lesotho Birth Certificate – John Smith (Mr.)


APPLICATION PROCESS

Upon receipt of the written request, the Consular Officer will verify the authenticity of the document in question with authorities in Lesotho. On successful confirmation, the applicant will be advised to transmit the original document by courier or registered mail to the High Commission where the Apostille will be produced. The original document with its Apostille will be sent back to the applicant by courier. This process takes approximately 10 working days.


APPLICATION FEE

There is no charge for the processing of Apostilles.


4. DEATH AND REPATRIATION

When requested, the Lesotho High Commission will assist in the repatriation of a deceased Lesotho National in its areas of accreditation by working with families, affiliated organizations, local authorities and funeral service providers to ensure all necessary steps are duly carried out.

It is required that bodies for repatriation to Lesotho are embalmed and transported in a hermetically sealed casket. Certification will have to be issued to enable transit.


5. EMERGENCY CONSULAR SERVICES

In the event of an emergency such as an accident, illness or death, an official at the Lesotho High Commission is always available to assist you. During the working week, assistance is available from the High Commission from 8:30am through to 4:00pm.