Sierra Leone Visa Types
As a foreign national, you are eligible for a short-stay visa online unless your country is on the banned list of countries. E visas are issued for multiple purposes depending on your reasons for coming to the country.
- rBusiness visarequired
- rMissionary visarequired
- rOfficial visarequired
- rTourist visarequired
- rTransit visarequired
- rWork visarequired
Transit visa not required for Passengers with a confirmed onward ticket for a flight to a third country within 24 hours. They must stay in the international transit area of the airport and have documents required for the next destination.
Sierra Leone does not issue work visas in the United States. The Embassy of Sierra Leone advises that travelers apply for a business visa and upon arrival in Sierra Leone, the Ministry of Labor will issue a work permit. It is recommended that the host in Sierra Leone make necessary arrangements with the Department of Labor in advance.
Select the type of Sierra Leone Business visa application:
Visa application form. For online orders, please download, print and sign Sierra Leone visa application, prepared by our system under your account.
Original passport. The passport must be valid at least 6 months after the intended date of departure from the territory of the destination country and has at least 2 blank visa pages.
Passport-type photograph. Include a passport style photo, with a white background, taken within the last 6 months.
Itinerary. Copy of round trip tickets or detailed itinerary for the duration of the trip (Applicant's name must be on itinerary).
Business Letter. A soft copy of a business letter from either the sending company in the US or sponsoring company in Sierra Leone. The letter should be printed on company letterhead stationery, addressed to the Embassy of Sierra Leone, and signed by a senior manager. Business letters from US companies should adhere to the following guidelines:
• Briefly introduce the applicant (please specify employment status/position held in the company by applicant).
• State the nature of the business to be conducted (ie. business meetings, contract negotiations, etc.) and the names and addresses of companies to be contacted in Sierra Leone.
• Specify the Type and desired Validity of the visa (ie. one year multiple entry business visa).
• Guarantee of sufficient funds for travel.Yellow fever certificate. Evidence of Yellow Fever Vaccine.
Visa application form. For online orders, please download, print and sign Sierra Leone visa application, prepared by our system under your account.
Original passport. The passport must be valid at least 6 months after the intended date of departure from the territory of the destination country and has at least 2 blank visa pages.
Passport-type photograph. Include one(1) passport style photograph, with a white background, taken within the last 6 months.
Yellow fever . A copy of the International Certificate of Vaccination (ICV) for yellow fever. To learn more about the yellow fever vaccination or to locate a vaccination clinic, please visit the CDC's yellow fever resource page.
Visa application form. For online orders, please download, print and sign Sierra Leone visa application, prepared by our system under your account.
Original passport. The passport must be valid at least 6 months after the intended date of departure from the territory of the destination country and has at least 2 blank visa pages.
Passport-type photograph. Include one(1) passport style photograph, with a white background, taken within the last 6 months.
Yellow fever . A copy of the International Certificate of Vaccination (ICV) for yellow fever. To learn more about the yellow fever vaccination or to locate a vaccination clinic, please visit the CDC's yellow fever resource page.
Visa application form. For online orders, please download, print and sign Sierra Leone visa application, prepared by our system under your account.
Original passport. The passport must be valid at least 6 months after the intended date of departure from the territory of the destination country and has at least 2 blank visa pages.
Passport-type photograph. Include one(1) passport style photograph, with a white background, taken within the last 6 months.
Yellow fever . A copy of the International Certificate of Vaccination (ICV) for yellow fever. To learn more about the yellow fever vaccination or to locate a vaccination clinic, please visit the CDC's yellow fever resource page.
Visa application form. For online orders, please download, print and sign Sierra Leone visa application, prepared by our system under your account.
Original passport. The passport must be valid at least 6 months after the intended date of departure from the territory of the destination country and has at least 2 blank visa pages.
Passport-type photograph. Include a passport style photo, with a white background, taken within the last 6 months.
Itinerary. Copy of round trip tickets or detailed itinerary for the duration of the trip (Applicant's name must be on itinerary).
Business Letter. A soft copy of a business letter from either the sending company in the US or sponsoring company in Sierra Leone. The letter should be printed on company letterhead stationery, addressed to the Embassy of Sierra Leone, and signed by a senior manager. Business letters from US companies should adhere to the following guidelines:
• Briefly introduce the applicant (please specify employment status/position held in the company by applicant).
• State the nature of the business to be conducted (ie. business meetings, contract negotiations, etc.) and the names and addresses of companies to be contacted in Sierra Leone.
• Specify the Type and desired Validity of the visa (ie. one year multiple entry business visa).
• Guarantee of sufficient funds for travel.Yellow fever certificate. Evidence of Yellow Fever Vaccine.
Visa application form. For online orders, please download, print and sign Sierra Leone visa application, prepared by our system under your account.
Original passport. The passport must be valid at least 6 months after the intended date of departure from the territory of the destination country and has at least 2 blank visa pages.
Passport-type photograph. Include a passport style photo, with a white background, taken within the last 6 months.
Itinerary. Copy of round trip tickets or detailed itinerary for the duration of the trip (Applicant's name must be on itinerary).
Business Letter. A soft copy of a business letter from either the sending company in the US or sponsoring company in Sierra Leone. The letter should be printed on company letterhead stationery, addressed to the Embassy of Sierra Leone, and signed by a senior manager. Business letters from US companies should adhere to the following guidelines:
• Briefly introduce the applicant (please specify employment status/position held in the company by applicant).
• State the nature of the business to be conducted (ie. business meetings, contract negotiations, etc.) and the names and addresses of companies to be contacted in Sierra Leone.
• Specify the Type and desired Validity of the visa (ie. one year multiple entry business visa).
• Guarantee of sufficient funds for travel.Yellow fever certificate. Evidence of Yellow Fever Vaccine.
Visa application form. For online orders, please download, print and sign Sierra Leone visa application, prepared by our system under your account.
Original passport. The passport must be valid at least 6 months after the intended date of departure from the territory of the destination country and has at least 2 blank visa pages.
Passport-type photograph. Please include one (1) photograph on an all-white background that meets the standard requirements for a passport photo.
Itinerary. A reservation of the flight itinerary under the traveler's name. Must show flights entering and exiting Sierra Leone.
Missionary Letter. A letter of invitation from the sponsor or host in the country of destination explaining the purpose of travel, length of stay, place of stay, and host's contact information.
Yellow fever certificate. Evidence of Yellow Fever Vaccine.
Visa application form. For online orders, please download, print and sign Sierra Leone visa application, prepared by our system under your account.
Original passport. The passport must be valid at least 6 months after the intended date of departure from the territory of the destination country and has at least 2 blank visa pages.
Passport-type photograph. Please include one (1) photograph on an all-white background that meets the standard requirements for a passport photo.
Itinerary. A reservation of the flight itinerary under the traveler's name. Must show flights entering and exiting Sierra Leone.
Missionary Letter. A letter of invitation from the sponsor or host in the country of destination explaining the purpose of travel, length of stay, place of stay, and host's contact information.
Yellow fever certificate. Evidence of Yellow Fever Vaccine.
Visa application form. For online orders, please download, print and sign Sierra Leone visa application, prepared by our system under your account.
Original passport. The passport must be valid at least 6 months after the intended date of departure from the territory of the destination country and has at least 2 blank visa pages.
Passport-type photograph. Please include one (1) photograph on an all-white background that meets the standard requirements for a passport photo.
Itinerary. A reservation of the flight itinerary under the traveler's name. Must show flights entering and exiting Sierra Leone.
Missionary Letter. A letter of invitation from the sponsor or host in the country of destination explaining the purpose of travel, length of stay, place of stay, and host's contact information.
Yellow fever certificate. Evidence of Yellow Fever Vaccine.
Unfortunately, at this time VisaHQ does not provide service for
A visa is not required for this destination.
- Additional documents for minors (under the age of 18):Birth Certificate. A copy of the applicant's birth certificate.Notarized Application Form. Please apply using the paper application form. The form must be signed by both parents and the signatures must be NOTARIZED.Letter of Consent. A NOTARIZED letter of consent signed by both parents, specifying who will be traveling with the child and authorizing the Consulate to issue a visa to the child.Parents' IDs. Copies of government-issued identification cards from BOTH parents.
Sierra Leone Business visa fees for citizens of United States of America
| Type of visa | Validity Maximum validity refers to the period over which you are allowed to enter a given country. Validity of visa starts from the date of issuance of visa. | Processing Processing times start on the next business day following submission and serve as indications of processing times under normal circumstances only. | Embassy fee | Service fee | Tax | Total cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Multiple entry (90 days stay) | Maximum validity refers to the period over which you are allowed to enter a given country. Validity of visa starts from the date of issuance of visa. Up to 3 years | Processing times start on the next business day following submission and serve as indications of processing times under normal circumstances only. 3 business days | Embassy fee:$0.00 Service fee:$209.00 Tax:$0.00 Total cost:$209.00 | |||
| Multiple entry (180 days stay) | Maximum validity refers to the period over which you are allowed to enter a given country. Validity of visa starts from the date of issuance of visa. Up to 3 years | Processing times start on the next business day following submission and serve as indications of processing times under normal circumstances only. 4 business days | Embassy fee:$160.00 Service fee:$99.00 Tax:$0.00 Total cost:$259.00 | |||
| Multiple entry (180 days stay) | Maximum validity refers to the period over which you are allowed to enter a given country. Validity of visa starts from the date of issuance of visa. Up to 3 years | Processing times start on the next business day following submission and serve as indications of processing times under normal circumstances only. 4 business days | Embassy fee:$160.00 Service fee:$129.00 Tax:$0.00 Total cost:$289.00 | |||
| Multiple entry (180 days stay) | Maximum validity refers to the period over which you are allowed to enter a given country. Validity of visa starts from the date of issuance of visa. Up to 3 years | Processing times start on the next business day following submission and serve as indications of processing times under normal circumstances only. 3 business days | Embassy fee:$210.00 Service fee:$149.00 Tax:$0.00 Total cost:$359.00 | |||
| Multiple entry (180 days stay) | Maximum validity refers to the period over which you are allowed to enter a given country. Validity of visa starts from the date of issuance of visa. Up to 3 years | Processing times start on the next business day following submission and serve as indications of processing times under normal circumstances only. 3 business days | Embassy fee:$210.00 Service fee:$189.00 Tax:$0.00 Total cost:$399.00 | |||
| Multiple entry (180 days stay) | Maximum validity refers to the period over which you are allowed to enter a given country. Validity of visa starts from the date of issuance of visa. Up to 3 years | Processing times start on the next business day following submission and serve as indications of processing times under normal circumstances only. 4 business days | Embassy fee:$160.00 Service fee:$299.00 Tax:$0.00 Total cost:$459.00 | |||
| Multiple entry (180 days stay) | Maximum validity refers to the period over which you are allowed to enter a given country. Validity of visa starts from the date of issuance of visa. Up to 3 years | Processing times start on the next business day following submission and serve as indications of processing times under normal circumstances only. 3 business days | Embassy fee:$210.00 Service fee:$299.00 Tax:$0.00 Total cost:$509.00 |
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Sierra Leone Visa Policy
Sierra Leone has a visa policy which is guideline and requirements for visitors of foreign nationalities. According to the current policy, all visitors coming to Sierra Leone must have valid visas unless they are from visa-exempt countries. Sierra Leone is a member of the ECOWAS regional body comprising 14 other West African countries.
As a member of ECOWAS, all citizens from member states can visit Sierra Leone without visas for a period of 90 days. Sierra Leone citizens can also visit other member states without holding visas themselves.
Apart from ECOWAS states, there are a few other countries on the visa waiver list whose citizens may visit the country without holding visas. This list occasionally changes as some countries are removed, and others added.
Visa On Arrival
Sierra Leone has a visa-on-arrival program which commenced in 2019. This arrival visa is valid for one month and is only issued at the Freetown International Airport or the Gbalamuya border with Guinea or Jendema border with Liberia. Visas on arrival attract an $80 fee or more which must be paid at the entry point.
Sierra Leone e Visa
The e-visa of the Republic of Sierra Leone was introduced in March 2019 to attract tourists and investors to the West African nation. The visa is an electronic visa issued online, allowing the holder to stay in the country for up to 30 days within three months. It is also called a Visit Sierra Leone Visa (VSL), allowing only one entry.
VSL is issued for multiple short-term purposes and is valid for 90 days from the issue date, but it can be extended once inside Sierra Leone. To apply for this electronic visa, you must complete an online form which will only take a few minutes. The form contains travel, passport, and personal information, which must be completed with accurate data.
Applicants must also upload valid documents in digital format and pay an application fee for processing. E visas or VSLs take only a few days to process before it is issued.
Also, note that all visitors coming to Sierra Leone must present a Certificate of Vaccination or Yellow card to the authorities at the entry point before they are allowed into the country. This certificate shows that the holder has taken a Yellow Fever vaccine.
Note: If you plan to stay in Sierra Leone for an extended period, more than an e-visa or visa on arrival will be required. You must apply for a consular visa by submitting your application to any foreign mission of the Sierra Leonean government abroad.
Sierra Leone e Visa Information And Travel Tips
Here are some travel tips to know.
Only One Extension: Be informed that you can only extend your e-visa once and only when you are in the country. You can only extend the visa in the country, and you can extend it a second time. Furthermore, extensions can only be done once, after which you must leave the country.
Not For Work: This visa cannot be used for work or any economic activity that will earn you income during your stay in Sierra Leone. If you wish to stay in Sierra Leone for work, you must apply for a work visa abroad at any Sierra Leonean foreign mission. Working in the country without a work visa is prohibited.
Approved Routes: e visas are only accepted as valid travel documents at the International Airport in Freetown and the approved border crossings with Guinea and Liberia.
Vaccination: Sierra Leone has a vaccine mandate for all visitors from outside the West African sub-region. All visitors are required to be vaccinated against fever, and they must have a valid vaccination certificate to show proof of their vaccination state.
Application Fee: The application fee is mandatory, without which your application will be submitted. This fee must be paid with a credit or debit card.
Print A Copy: Visitors are hereby informed to print their e-visas from their email and bring a copy along with them as evidence. Once you arrive at the entry point, the officials will request the visa and stamp your passport before allowing you into the country.
Apart from the above, visitors are advised to be law abiding during their stay and to respect the local laws and customs of the country. Law breakers are sanctioned through fines or jail time for serious crimes.
Sierra Leone e-Visa Online – Get your Sierra Leone e-Visa with VisaHQ
Are you planning a trip to Sierra Leone anytime soon? You will need to prepare all your documentation and meet the proper requirements.
How To Apply For A Sierra Leone e Visa With VisaHQ
Did you know you can speedily apply for an electronic visa to Sierra Leone with VisaHQ? This platform offers applicants the easiest approach to online visa applications, and you can complete the process from the comfort of your home. All you need is a smartphone or laptop with access to the internet, and you can complete the application in five minutes or less. Just follow these steps to apply for the visa.
Fill out the form: The first step is to complete your application by filling out the form online. Each section must be completed with accurate information as they appear on your passport and other travel documents. Once the form has been completed, progress to the next stage.
Upload documents: You should upload digital copies of your passport bio page and other documents. Make sure your documents are clear.
Pay the fee: The authorities charge an application fee for processing which must be paid online with a debit or credit card. Kindly note that this fee is not refundable. After payment, click the submit button.
Get your visa: Your Visa should arrive within 24-72 hours after the authorities have received your application. Print a copy for your trip once the visa is forwarded to your email address.
Why Use VisaHQ?
If you are still trying to decide whether you use VisaHQ for your online visa application, here are some quick facts about our application process.
- We have more than 2 decades worth of experience with online applications and document processing
- Our application process is straightforward and easy and can be completed in minutes
- We have experts in six countries
- Our platform is user-friendly and highly secure
- You can apply for multiple electronic visas at once
- We offer online application tracking so you know your current status
The value we offer applicants makes us a tested and trusted platform for all your online applications.
If you want to apply for this visa now, visit our application page to complete the form.
Sierra Leone COVID-19 travel restrictions
- Entry is openFlights to and from Sierra Leone have resumed. Domestically, restrictions are being lifted.Prior to arrival requirementsValid passport. Valid national passport with at least 6 month remaining validity after the date of departure.Valid visa. Please see the instructions above if visa is needed and apply.📝Health form is required for all arrivals. A complete health form is required for all travelers.Upon arrival restrictions😷Masks are required in public spaces and transport.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Sierra Leone visa
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For additional information about travel restrictions, security warnings, political updates, and basic travel guidelines, please contact the nearest Sierra Leonean Embassy.