Sierra Leone Visa Requirements

Are you planning to visit Sierra Leone this year to explore the beautiful places and people? First, then, you must meet the Sierra Leone visa requirements.

Every visitor entering the country must apply for a visa unless they are citizens and passport holders of member states of ECOWAS. Moreover, even nationals of these nations must provide a passport with at least six months of validity from arrival in Siera Leone.

Find out what you need to obtain a Sierra Leone visa from anywhere. The requirements, steps, and where to apply.

Sierra Leone visa policy

Many travelers who wish to visit Sierra Leone must apply for a visa. However, citizens of six West African countries do not need an entry permit to stay in Sierra Leone for up to 90 days. Instead, they need a valid passport at least six months from arrival.

On the other hand, nationals of other countries must obtain a visa to enter Sierra Leone. However, while some can apply for an evisa, others can obtain a visa on arrival. Then, a few must visit a Sierra Leonean embassy abroad to acquire an entry permit to visit Sierra Leone to explore the beauty, art, culture, and people of the nation.

Sierra Leone visa-free countries

Only citizens of member states of the Economic Organization of West African States can travel to Sierra Leone without a visa. However, to qualify for visa-free travel to Sierra Leone, you must provide a valid passport with at least six months of validity. You can stay in the country for up to days once you meet the eligibility criteria.

In addition, holders of a Diplomatic Passport from China can visit Sierra Leone visa-free for up to 0ne month.

Perhaps, you plan to stay in Sierra Leone for more than 90 days. Then, you must apply for a visa, depending on the purpose of your visit.

List of Sierra Leone visa-free countries

Nationals of these West African States can visit Sierra Leone with only a passport for up to 90 days. They include:

Benin
Burkina Faso
Cape Verde
Ivory Coast
Ghana Gambia
Guinea
Guinea-Bissau
Liberia
Mali
Mauritania
Niger
Nigeria
Senegal
Togo

Sierra Leone eVisa

Sierra Leone evisa allows citizens of over 200 countries to obtain a Sierra Leone visa online. In other words, they do not need to visit a Siera Leonean embassy abroad to apply for an entry permit. However, they must meet the Sierra Leon visa requirements.

Also known as the Visit Sierra Leone visa, the evisa allows holders to stay in the country for up to 30 days within 90 days. It permits you to enter Sierra Leone for tourism, leisure, vacation, and holidays.

List of countries that qualify for Sierra Leone evisa

Citizens of the following countries can visit Sierra Leone with an eVisa. They include:

Afghanistan
Aland Islands
Albania
American Samoa
Andorra
Anguilla
Antarctica
Antigua and Barbuda
Argentina
Armenia
Aruba
Australia
Austria
Azerbaijan
Bahamas
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Barbados
Belarus
Belgium
Belize
Bermuda
Bhutan
Bolivia
Bonaire
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Brazil
British Indian Ocean Territory
The British Virgin Islands
Brunei Darussalam
Bulgaria
Cambodia
Canada
Cape Verde
Cayman Islands
Chile
China
Christmas Island
Cocos Islands
Colombia
Cook Islands
Costa Rica
Croatia
Cuba
Curacao
Czech Republic
Denmark
Dominica
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
El Salvador
Estonia
Falkland Islands
Faroe Islands
Federated States of Micronesia
Fiji
Finland
France
French Guiana
French Polynesia
Georgia
Germany
Ghana
Gibraltar
Greece
Greenland
Grenada
Guadeloupe
Guam
Guatemala
Guernsey
Guyana
Haiti
Honduras
Hong Kong
Hungary
Iceland
India
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Ireland
Isle of Man
Israel
Italy
Jamaica
Japan
Jersey
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kiribati
Kuwait
Kyrgyzstan
Laos
Latvia
Lebanon
Liberia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Macau
Macedonia
Malaysia
Maldives
Mali
Malta
Marshall Islands
Martinique
Mexico
Moldova
Monaco
Mongolia
Montenegro
Montserrat
Myanmar
Nauru
Nepal
Netherlands
New Caledonia
New Zealand
Nicaragua
Niue
Norfolk Island
North Korea
Northern Mariana Islands
Norway
Oman
Pakistan
Palau
Palestinian Territory
Panama
Papua New Guinea
Paraguay
Peru
Philippines
Pitcairn Islands
Poland
Portugal
Puerto Rico
Qatar
Republic of Cyprus
Romania
Russian Federation
Saint Barthelemy
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Lucia
Saint Martin
Saint Pierre and Miquelon
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Samoa
San Marino
Saudi Arabia
Serbia
Singapore
Sint Maarten
Slovakia
Slovenia
Solomon Islands
South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
South Korea
Spain
Sri Lanka
Suriname
Svalbard and Jan Mayen
Sweden
Switzerland
The Syrian Arab Republic
Taiwan
Tajikistan
Thailand
Timor Leste
Tokelau
Tonga
Trinidad and Tobago
Turkey
Turkmenistan
Turks and Caicos Islands
Tuvalu
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom
United States
United States Virgin Islands
Uruguay
Uzbekistan
Vanuatu
Vatican City
Venezuela
Vietnam
Wallis and Futuna
Yemen

Sierra Leone visa on arrival

On the other hand, Sierra leone allows citizens of a few countries to apply for a visa on arrival at a Sierra Leonean airport. However, you must use a designated airport to arrive in Sierra Leone.

Citizens of the countries below can obtain a Sierra Leone visa on arrival. They include:

Kenya
Uganda

Sierra Leone consular visa

Alternatively, citizens of countries that do not qualify for Sierra Leone evisa or visa on arrival can apply for an entry permit at a Sierra Leone embassy or consulate abroad.

Moreover, citizens of nations that qualify for a Sierra Leone evisa, visa on arrival, and free entry must apply for a visa at the Sierra Leone embassy in their countries of origin if they plan to stay in Sierra Leone for more than 90 days.

List of countries that need a Sierra Leone consular permit

Citizens of the following countries who meet the Sierra Leone visa requirements must apply for an entry permit to visit the country from an embassy. They include:

Algeria
Angola
Botswana
Burundi
Cameroon
The central African Republic
Chad
Comoros
Congo
The Democratic Republic of the Congo
Djibouti
Egypt
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea
Ethiopia
Gabon
Lesotho
Libya
Madagascar
Malawi
Mauritius
Mayotte
Morocco
Mozambique
Namibia
Reunion
Rwanda
Saint Helena
Sao Tome and Principe
Seychelles
Somalia
South Africa
South Sudan
Sudan
Swaziland
Tanzania
Tunisia
Zambia
Zimbabwe

Types of Sierra Leone visas

Foreigners who meet the sierra leone visa requirements can apply for the entry permits below, depending on their purpose of visiting the country. They include:

#1. Tourist visa

It is for foreigners who want to visit Sierra Leone for tourism, relaxation, and vacation. It allows them to stay in the country for up to 30 days.

#2. Business visa

It allows visitors to stay in Sierra Leone for business-related activities such as meetings, exhibitions, trade fairs, and conferences. Unfortunately, you cannot work in Sierra Leone with this permit.

#3. Transit visa

Ex-pats who want to use an international airport in Sierra Leone will apply for a Sierra Leone Transit visa. It allows them to use an international airport in the country to connect to a third nation.

#4. Work visa

You will apply for a Sierra Lone Work visa if you want to work in the country. You must provide a letter of employment from your employer in Sierra Leone to obtain this permit. Moreover, you will meet the eligibility criteria to work in the country.

#5. Student visa

International students who have obtained an acceptance letter from a university in Sierra Leone will apply for a Student visa to study in the country. It allows them to complete their education there.

You will need the following Sierra leone visa requirements to obtain an entry permit into the country. They include:

General Sierra Leone visa requirements

All applicants for a Sierra Leone entry permit must provide the following documents. They include:

A valid passport with at least six months of validity
A completed and signed application form containing correct details.
Photo
Travel itinerary
Proof of financial means
Proof of accommodation
Vaccination for Yellow Fever
Proof of payment for your visa
Cover letter

Specific Sierra Leone visa requirements

In addition to the documents above, you must also meet the requirements below, depending on the purpose of your visit. They include:

Tourist visa

Tourist visa application form
Proof of travel
Letter of invitation from a host

Business visa

Business visa application form
Letter of invitation from a company
Business letter

Transit visa

Transit visa application form
Onward ticket to a third country
Visa to your destination country

Student visa

Student visa application form
Letter of admission from a university in Sierra Leone
Education credentials

Work visa

Work visa application form
Offer letter from an employer in Sierra Leone
Contract letter

Student visa

Student visa application form
Letter of acceptance from a Sierra Leonean university
Receipt of payment for tuition fees

Steps to apply for a Sierra Leone visa

Once you meet the Sierra Leone visa requirements, you can apply for an entry permit using the steps below.

Contact the Sierra Leonean embassy in your country of origin to enquire about the visa requirements and application process.
Complete and sign an application form.
Collect all the required documents.
Apply supporting documents to the embassy.
Attend your visa interview at the embassy.
Pay your visa fee.
Wait for the processing time.
Receive your visa once it is ready.

Alternatively, applicants who qualify for a visa on arrival and evisa can apply for a Sierra Leone visa at an airport in the country or online.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to apply for an entry permit to Sierra Leone?

You can apply for a Sierra Leone entry permit between one and two months before you travel. It will give the officials enough time to process your visa. Plus, it will give you time to provide any missing documents.

What is the processing fee for a Sierra Leone entry permit?

The cost of obtaining a visa to enter Sierra Leone depends on the type of visa and nationality. However, you will expect to pay between $160 and $265.

How long does it take to obtain a visa to visit Sierra Leone?

The processing time for your visa depends on many factors. However, once you meet the Sierra Leone visa requirements, you can obtain it within three weeks, depending on the embassy. Moreover, you can obtain an evisa within five days.

What is the duration of a Sierra Leone entry permit?

A tourist visa to Sierra Leone allows visitors to stay in the country for up to 30 days. The duration of other visas depends on the purpose of going to the country.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the application process for a Sierra Leone entry permit is simple. However, you must meet the requirements to apply for it. Moreover, you will need an expert to guide you. Therefore, you will need the information in this article when applying for your permit.

Above you will contact the Sierra Leonean embassy in your country of residence to find everything you need for your visa.

Sierra Leone Visa Requirements – Apply, Types and Documents