Everything You Need To Know About Sierra Leone Visa

Apart from the citizens of 15 visa exempt countries that include, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, and Togo, all other foreign nationals require a visa to enter Sierra Leone. 

As the United Kingdom is not a visa-exempt nation, it is mandatory for British nationals to obtain a visa before traveling to Sierra Leone.

In March 2019, the ministry of immigration in Sierra Leone had announced that they are planning to launch an e-visa application system to foreign nationals including citizens of the United Kingdom. 

However, until now, they have not launched this system of visa application, and as a result, all travelers intending to visit Sierra Leone should have to apply via the embassy. In order to obtain your Sierra Leone visa in a hassle-free manner, you can avail the service of entrusted agencies like Visa Genie, and we will assist you in each step of the visa application process.

Sierra Leone authorities have classified their visas into several types in accordance with the purpose, and nature of the UK national’s visit. 

Please scroll down to know more about Sierra Leone visas.

Sierra Leone tourist visa

If you plan to visit Sierra Leone exclusively for tourism-related activities, you can apply for a Sierra Leone tourist visa. 

As the name indicates, these visas are only for tourism-related activities, and travelers are not supposed to do any other activities while staying inside Sierra Leone using these travel documents. 

In order to obtain a Sierra Leone tourist visa, a foreign national should submit the documents mentioned below.

• The original, signed passport of the UK national should be submitted. While submitting the passport, please ensure that it has a minimum validity of six months, and one blank page for visa markings.
• One passport-sized photograph taken in a white background should be submitted. Please note that this passport photograph is not older than six months, and it should provide the full-frontal view of the applicant’s head with the face centered in the middle. In the photograph, the applicant should make sure that he or she is maintaining a neutral facial expression.
• To obtain a Sierra Leone tourist visa, it is mandatory to submit the copies of onward/return flight tickets or the complete version of the itinerary.
• It is necessary to submit the certificate of vaccination for yellow fever and cholera.
• As a livelihood proof, the foreign national should submit recent bank statements. While submitting the bank statements, please make sure that it is being stamped by the issuing bank.
• It is also necessary to submit the proof of accommodation to get a Sierra Leone tourist visa. As the accommodation proof, applicants can submit hotel room booking reservation copies. These hotel room booking proof should show the name of the applicant, name of the hotel, and its address.
• The applicant should also submit an invitation letter from family members or friends residing in Sierra Leone.
• The visa application form should be completed without any errors. In case of any queries, please contact Visa Genie, and we will be glad to assist you.

Additional documents required for children

If you are traveling with children to Sierra Leone, it is necessary to submit the below-mentioned set of additional documents.

• An original letter of consent signed by both the parents or legal guardian.
• This original letter of consent should also specify the name of the adult who will be traveling with the child.

Sierra Leone business visa

Business personals planning to visit Sierra Leone can apply for a business visa. 

All foreign nationals should submit the below-mentioned documents to get a Sierra Leone business visa.

• The applicant should submit his or her original UK signed passport which has a minimum validity of six months and one blank page. If the validity of the passport is less than six months, please renew it before submitting the application.
• It is necessary to submit a passport-sized photograph taken within the last six months. This passport photograph should be taken in a white background, and in this photograph, the applicant should maintain a neutral facial expression.
• The traveler should submit a letter from his or her company in the United Kingdom. This employment letter should be addressed to the Sierra Leone High Commission, and it should clearly state the nature and purpose of the trip. This letter should be signed by a senior officer in the company, and it should also state the nature of business that will be conducted in Sierra Leone. In the letter, the company in the United Kingdom should also assure sufficient funds to the foreign national’s trip.
• It is mandatory to submit a business invitation letter from the host company in Sierra Leone. This letter addressed to the Consulate of Sierra Leone should not be older than one month. It should detail the purpose and nature of the foreign national’s visit, and should guarantee sufficient funds. The letter should also detail the nature of operations that will be conducted in Sierra Leone.
• As a proof of travel arrangement, the applicant should submit onward and return flight tickets. The applicant can also submit the full version of itinerary as a proof of travel arrangement.
• It is mandatory to submit the original International Certificate of Vaccination for Yellow Fever and Cholera to visit Sierra Leone.
• The visa application form should be completed without any errors.

Sierra Leone transit visa

UK citizens traveling to a different destination can stay in Sierra Leone for transit purposes without a visa for 24 hours. 

However, the foreign national should meet the below-mentioned conditions to stay visa free.

• The foreign national should make sure that he or she is not leaving the international transit area of the airport.
• The passport of the applicant should have a validity of six months and one blank page.
• It is necessary to hold proof of sufficient funds.
• The applicant should hold proof of onward and return flight tickets.
• The traveler should possess all documents required for the next destination.
• It is mandatory to hold visa for the next country to which the traveler is going.
• It is always necessary to confirm with the airline company that boarding is permitted without a visa, as these rules are subject to change.

If the applicant is not meeting the above-mentioned conditions, it may be necessary to obtain a visa.

Note: Apart from the above-mentioned types of visas, Sierra Leone authorities also provide private visas to UK nationals. In order to get these visas, applicants should submit all the documents required to obtain a tourist visa.