Check the official site before you travel. imptmanhattan.com is a hotel and travel site; it does not issue visas or ESTAs and this is not legal advice. Rules change: confirm on esta.cbp.dhs.gov and travel.state.gov.
| Status | B-2 visitor visa |
|---|---|
| Visa or authorization | B-2 visitor visa from a US embassy or consulate |
| Where to apply | Online DS-160 form, then an interview |
| Fees and processing | Set by the US government: check the official site |
| Arrival | Inspection by US Customs and Border Protection at the airport |
Lesotho is outside the Visa Waiver Program, so a Basotho citizen planning a holiday in Manhattan needs a B-2 visitor visa. An ESTA cannot be used. The process starts with the DS-160 form online, continues with an interview at a US embassy or consulate, and ends with inspection by a Customs and Border Protection officer on arrival at JFK, LaGuardia or Newark. Check travel.state.gov for current requirements.
What the status means
Lesotho is not part of the Visa Waiver Program, so a Basotho passport holder cannot board a flight to the United States with an approved ESTA alone. The ESTA system is closed to Basotho citizens. The route is a B-2 visitor visa, which covers tourism and short holidays such as a stay in Manhattan. The application starts online and ends with an interview.
Start the process well before the travel dates. Appointments at embassies and consulates fill, and the DS-160 form takes time to complete properly. Answer every question truthfully and consistently, because the consular officer decides the case on the day and errors can delay it. A hotel booking in Manhattan does not change the visa category. Check travel.state.gov for current requirements.
Before you fly and on arrival
The visa allows travel to a US port of entry; it does not guarantee admission. A Customs and Border Protection officer decides that on arrival. Expect short questions about the purpose of the trip, the length of stay and the funds available. Keep the return ticket, the hotel confirmation and a simple plan for the Manhattan days within reach rather than in a checked bag.
Flights from Lesotho usually connect through South Africa, and the first landing in the United States is at JFK, LaGuardia or Newark. Each airport has a Customs and Border Protection inspection hall, and queues vary through the day. After inspection, collect the bags, clear customs and follow the signs for trains, buses or taxis into Manhattan. Check the airport website for terminal details before flying.
Staying in Manhattan
A hotel confirmation supports the purpose of the visit and gives an address for arrival forms. Book accommodation that suits the trip and keep the confirmation where it can be shown on request. A return or onward ticket shows that the stay is temporary, which is what a visitor visa covers. Read the booking terms before paying and check the cancellation conditions.
From JFK, LaGuardia and Newark, trains, buses and taxis reach Manhattan, and the journey takes time, so allow for it on the arrival day. Check the current fare and the service pattern before setting out, because both change. In the city, the subway and walking cover most of the sights. Leave the passport and valuables in the room safe rather than carrying everything.
Longer stays, work or study
A B-2 visa covers tourism, family visits and short recreational stays. It does not permit paid work in the United States, and it is not the right category for a course of study. Anyone planning to work, study, join a family member for a long stay or settle needs a different visa category, and the rules for those categories sit on travel.state.gov.
Arriving as a visitor with the intention of working or staying on causes trouble at the border and afterwards. If plans change during a trip, speak to the relevant authority instead of assuming a visitor status can be extended. Other categories are applied for through official channels. Check the official site for what each one requires, and apply from Lesotho before booking travel.
How to apply for a visitor visa
- Complete the DS-160 online form for a B-2 visitor visa, answering every question, and save the confirmation page.
- Pay the visa application fee through the official payment route named on travel.state.gov and keep the receipt.
- Book an interview at a US embassy or consulate, choosing a date that leaves room before the flight.
- Attend the interview with the passport, photograph, confirmation page, receipt and documents supporting the trip.
- Wait for the passport to come back with the visa, then check the printed details before booking flights.
- Fly to New York and present the passport to a Customs and Border Protection officer at JFK, LaGuardia or Newark.
Documents to carry
- Passport containing the B-2 visitor visa, kept with a photocopy
- DS-160 confirmation page and the official fee receipt
- Hotel confirmation showing the Manhattan address and stay dates
- Return or onward ticket, printed and saved on the phone
- Travel insurance policy details and a list of medicines carried
- Written address of the first night in Manhattan for arrival forms
Basotho citizens: questions
Do Basotho citizens need a visa for a holiday in Manhattan?
Yes. Lesotho is not in the Visa Waiver Program, so a B-2 visitor visa is required for tourism, family visits and short holidays. The application uses the DS-160 form, and an interview at a US embassy or consulate follows. An ESTA is not open to Basotho citizens. Check travel.state.gov for current requirements.
Can Basotho citizens travel to New York on an ESTA instead?
No. The ESTA system serves travelers from Visa Waiver Program countries, and Lesotho is not one of them. Basotho citizens need a B-2 visitor visa obtained in advance, with the DS-160 form and an interview. Attempting to travel without the correct visa leads to refusal at the airport. Confirm details on travel.state.gov.
Where do Basotho citizens apply for a US visitor visa?
Applications go through the DS-160 form online, then an interview at a US embassy or consulate. The embassy or consulate serving Lesotho handles the case. Book the interview as soon as the trip is roughly planned, since slots fill. travel.state.gov lists locations and current procedures.
How long can Basotho citizens stay in the United States on a visitor visa?
The officer at the port of entry sets the admitted period when the passport is inspected, and it is recorded electronically. A B-2 visa does not by itself give a fixed length of stay, and the date on the record matters more than assumption. Check the record after arrival and confirm rules on travel.state.gov.
Can Basotho citizens work in Manhattan during a holiday visit?
No. A B-2 visitor visa covers tourism and short visits, not paid employment. Working in the United States requires a category that allows it, applied for before travel through the official channels. Entering as a visitor with work in mind creates problems at inspection and later. Check travel.state.gov for the categories.
Where will you stay in Manhattan?
Midtown for a first visit, SoHo or the West Village for character, the Upper West Side for the park. Live prices for your dates open in the IMPT app.
Photo credits: Pexels.