Lesotho

Lesotho, often called the 'Kingdom in the Sky,' maintains a relatively straightforward visa policy, particularly for citizens of many Commonwealth countries and Southern African Development Community (SADC) member states, who generally enjoy visa-free entry for short stays. For other nationalities, a visa is typically required prior to arrival. The country offers various visa types to accommodate different travel purposes, primarily focusing on tourism, business, and transit. While Lesotho is not part of the Schengen Area, it does have bilateral visa-waiver agreements with a number of countries, allowing their citizens to enter without a visa for short visits. The application process usually involves submitting documents to a Lesotho diplomatic mission abroad, or in some cases, applying online through their e-visa portal, which has been a significant recent change simplifying access for many travelers. Processing times can vary, but generally range from a few days to a couple of weeks, so it's advisable to apply well in advance of your intended travel date.