LiberiaResidence

Liberia residence permit

Residence permit (change of status) and re-entry permit

In short

Foreigners who live in Liberia obtain a residence permit by change of status at the LIS Department of Naturalization. The 2025 Service Delivery Charter sets USD 750 for non-Africans, USD 600 for a non-African spouse and USD 400 for a non-African minor child, with processing in seven working days. Residents who travel can add a re-entry permit card, currently USD 175 for six months or USD 250 for a year.

Apply on Liberia Immigration Service – Re-entry permit checked 25 October 2026

Key facts

Fee: US$750Change of status for a non-African (Charter of 23 January 2025); spouse USD 600, minor child USD 400; renewal USD 350 (spouse USD 250, minor USD 200).
Processing time: Seven working days
Work: Work needs a separate Ministry of Labour work permit, which requires a valid residence permit
Family: Separate fees for non-African spouses (USD 600) and minor children (USD 400)
Where to apply: LIS Department of Naturalization, Monrovia

Change of status

To change status to a residence permit, the applicant must hold a valid travel document, must have passed through a legitimate border crossing point in Liberia with an immigration stamp in the travel document, and must be physically and mentally healthy. The charter lists separate entries for non-Africans, non-African spouses and minor children, other Africans, ECOWAS citizens and gratis status.

Documents

Submit a letter of application addressed to the Commissioner-General, four passport-sized photos, a bond and notary obtained through LIS guidance, the completed and signed change-of-status (COS) form, and one manila folder.

Required documents

Identity

Valid travel document with Liberian entry stamp
Four passport-sized photos

Money

Bond and notary obtained through LIS guidance

Other

Letter to the Commissioner-General and signed COS form
One manila folder for the file

Fees and timing

Change of status: USD 750 for a non-African, USD 600 for a non-African spouse and USD 400 for a non-African minor child; for other Africans outside ECOWAS USD 600, their spouses USD 500 and minor children USD 300; ECOWAS citizens USD 150; gratis status USD 50. Renewal: USD 350 for a non-African, USD 250 for a non-African spouse, USD 200 for a non-African minor child; ECOWAS citizens pay USD 100. Processing takes seven working days. Replacing a lost or depleted residence permit booklet costs USD 100 for non-Africans.

Employer reporting and extension of stay

Employers of foreigners file a semi-annual report with the LIS listing every alien employed with name, nationality, permit number, position, salary and length of service, together with the Liberian staff; the charter sets a fee of USD 20 and seven working days. Visitors who have not yet changed status and whose permitted stay at entry has run out can request an extension of stay for USD 25 while the residence file is prepared.

Re-entry permit card

Residence permit holders who travel use the RESIDENCE type of re-entry permit card. According to the LIS re-entry portal, it costs USD 175 for six months or USD 250 for twelve months, and renewal costs USD 150; the Service Delivery Charter of January 2025 still lists USD 150 for a single six-month permit, so confirm the amount on your payment notice. Foreigners without a residence permit can take the SPECIAL card at USD 350 for twelve months. Enrolment is in person at the LIS issuance centre on Sekou Toure Avenue, Mamba Point, Monrovia (Monday to Friday, 08:00 to 16:00), where biometrics are captured. After approval, notified by WhatsApp or email, you pay at GTBank only and collect the card. Card holders must still leave the country after every 90 days, and the card works only at Roberts International Airport. Start a renewal about 10 days before expiry; a WhatsApp reminder is sent 30 days before.

Spouses and children

Each family member holds a separate residence permit with its own fee line in the charter. For a non-African family, the spouse pays USD 600 and each minor child USD 400 at change of status, and USD 250 and USD 200 at renewal. The same documents apply: a valid travel document with a Liberian entry stamp, the COS form, the letter to the Commissioner-General, photos and the bond.

How to apply, step by step

Enter Liberia through a legitimate border post.
Prepare the COS form, letter, photos and bond.
Submit at the Department of Naturalization and pay.
Collect the permit after about seven working days.
Enrol at the LIS issuance centre for a re-entry card if you will travel.
Renew the permit and the card before they expire.

Frequently asked questions

How long does a Liberian residence permit take?

Seven working days, according to the LIS charter.

What does a residence renewal cost?

USD 350 for a non-African.

Where is the re-entry permit fee paid?

At GTBank only; payments to other banks are not accepted.

How much is the re-entry permit card for a resident?

The LIS re-entry portal lists USD 175 for six months and USD 250 for twelve months, paid at GTBank.

Does a residence permit let me work?

Not on its own. Work needs a Ministry of Labour work permit, and that application requires a valid residence permit.

Official sources

Liberia Immigration Service – Service Delivery Charter (23 January 2025) · checked 25 October 2026
Liberia Immigration Service – Re-entry permit card (steps, fees and FAQ) · checked 25 October 2026
Ministry of Labour of Liberia – Work permit online application (portal linked from the LIS websites) · checked 25 October 2026

Summarised from the official sources above. Rules, fees and processing times change: confirm with the embassy or the official portal before you apply.