How To Renew Lesotho Work Permit In South Africa

Before you start, you must know whether you are eligible for application of Lesotho Exemption Permit

Eligibility to Apply for Lesotho Exemption Project:

The LEP is valid for LSP permit-holders only

Passport or travel document to be valid for more than 12 months at the time of the application *

Provide proof of:

LEP PERMIT CATEGORY APPLYING FORREQUIREMENTS
WorkLetter of employment from employer on their company letterhead (if applicable) and certified true by a Commissioner of Oaths (Police Station, Bank, Post Office)
Own BusinessCopy of Business Registration Document
StudyCopy of Institution of Learning Admission Letter on their letterhead and stamp

VFS Global is not involved in the decision-making process and cannot influence the outcome of your visa application. The Department of Home Affairs will make the decision on your application after assessing your application form and documents.

* It is recommended that the passport be valid for a period of more than four years. If the validity period of the passport or the travel document is less than four years, the holder will bear the cost of the replacement of both the passport and the LEP into the new passport.

HOW TO APPLY

  1. You will need to fill the correct online form.
  2. Pay the mandatory fee of R1050 in order to schedule an appointment after application form filling.
  3. Pay the relevant fees online via three methods: Prepayment at Standard Bank branches using the system generated bank deposit slip or by Credit / Debit card or EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer). Any outstanding fees can be paid at the Visa Facilitation Centre by debit / credit card. No payments will be collected in cash at the Visa Facilitation Centre.
  4. Check all required documents required for the application.

Step 2 :

On the day of your appointment please plan to arrive 15 minutes early at the Visa Facilitation Centre. Bring your appointment letter, printed online application form, proof of payment and supporting documents, along with a valid passport or travel document. When you arrive at the Visa Facilitation Centre you will collect a token. Wait until your token is called to make your application. Once the visa application process is completed you will be issued with an acknowledgment receipt. Please keep your receipt safe as you will need this later to collect your documents. The decision will be handed over on submitting this receipt.

Important note: You will not be able to submit further documents once your application has been submitted at the Visa Facilitation Centre. The documents that you submitted at the time you made your application will be the only documents that are considered.

Step 3 :

You will need to arrange for supporting documents for your visa or permit application. If you do not know which supporting documents to provide, the Visa Types page will help you to find guidance for your visa category.

Step 4 :

Enroll your fingerprints and photograph at the Visa Facilitation Centre. This includes a digital finger scan (all 10 digits) and a digital photograph. The finger scan procedure uses an electronic scanner. No ink, liquid, or chemical. You should ensure that your fingertips are free from any forms of decoration (for example, henna), cuts, abrasions, or other markings as these may affect your ability to provide acceptable finger scans. Your digital photograph must be taken with full face and without sunglasses or tinted spectacles, or head covering unless it is worn for religious or medical reasons. Your face should be clearly visible with no hair across the eyes. We cannot process your visa if you do not submit your biometric information. All children and infants will also provide their biometric data as required by the Department of Home Affairs.

Step 5 :

Choose whether you would prefer to collect your documents in person at the Visa Facilitation Centre or have a representative collect the decision on your behalf. Original passport is required to collect the decision. In case original passport is not available at the time of collection, VFS Global shall not handover the decision to the applicant or representative. A representative needs to carry an authorization letter with name of the applicant and his passport number followed by name and ID number of the representative collecting the application. The representative is requested to carry a copy of the ID along with authority letter which will be retained by VFS Global.

CONDITIONS OF THE NEW LESOTHO EXEMPTION PERMIT DISPENSATION (LEP)

  • Entitles the holder to work/ study and/or conduct business.
  • Does not entitle the holder the right to apply for permanent residence irrespective of the period of stay in the Republic of South Africa.
  • Will not be automatically renewable / extendable.
  • Does not allow a holder to change conditions of his/her permit while in South Africa.
  • LSP permit holders who wish to convert their status to a mainstream visa should timeously apply for such a visa from Lesotho.
  • A LEP applicant will be allowed to travel using the LEP receipt and the expired LSP permit until such time as the new LEP permit is issued, without being declared undesirable.

Implementation of LEP is as follows:

The new Lesotho Exemption Permit (LEP) project will begin on 18 November 2024 for online applications and taking of appointments.

The LEP is open for valid LSP permit-holders only.

We advise prospective applicants to submit applications online, from 18 November 2024, through the VFS website: www.vfsglobal.com/LEP/SouthAfrica/com

Cut-off date for submission of applications is 31 March 2024.

An administrative fee of R1090 will be charged.

LEP permits will be issued for a maximum period of Four (4) years, effective from 01 January 2024 and expiring on 31 December 2024, notwithstanding the date of application.

After the online application, applicants will be allocated appointments for the required submission of fingerprints and supporting documents to VFS, from 25 November 2024. The relevant VFS offices are listed at the end of the statement.

An applicant will be required to submit the following:

Lesotho passport valid for more than 6 months at time of application

Lesotho Id card

Copy of the LSP permit

Evidence of employment – in the case of an application for work rights

Evidence of business – in the case of an application for business rights

Evidence of an admission letter from a recognised learning institution –in the case of an application for study rights.

[Below is a list of VFS Offices where LSP holders may apply for the new LEP permit]

LocationAddress
Durban4 Linden Road, Essenwood, Berea, Durban
Cape Town2 Long street, 7th Floor, Cape Town
Port ElizabethOffice 7C 1st floor Moffet and Main, Cnr 17th Ave and Main Road, Walmer, PE
GautengMount Royal Building, 657 James crescent, Halfway House, Midrand
Rustenburg89 Ridder Street
KimberlyUnit 3 Building 2, Agri Office Park, N12 Kimberly
PolokwaneShop 13, Thornhill Shopping Centre, Veldspaat and Munnik Avenue Bendor Park, Polokwane
NelspruitOffice 5F, Nedbank building, 30 Brown Street, Nelspruit
Bloemfontein282 Oliver Tambo Road, Hamilton
GeorgeUnit 5 Eagle View, Progress Street, George

How can I apply for Lesotho work permit online?

The new LEP is only opened for valid LSP permit-holders only. The department has advised prospective applicants to submit applications online, from 18 November 2024, through the VFS website: www.vfsglobal.com/LEP/SouthAfrica/com. The cut-off date for the submission of applications is 31 March 2024