Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone visa guide: eVisa, embassy visa and permits

4 visa types
checked 25 October 2026

How visas for Sierra Leone work

Sierra Leone's electronic visa service is operated by the Ministry of Internal Affairs in Freetown through the Immigration Department's eVisa website, evisa.sl. It is open to nationals of all countries except members of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), whose citizens do not need it. Applications can be made for an individual, a family or a group, but each traveller, including infants, needs a separate visa.

The platform sets fees by nationality group. Nationals of non-African Union countries pay USD 80 for a single-entry visa, valid for 90 days with a stay of up to 30 days, and USD 160 for a multiple-entry visa, valid for 365 days with stays of up to 30 days; nationals of African Union states pay USD 25 and USD 50 for the same options. An online payment processing fee and applicable GST are added at checkout.

Once the application is approved by email, the visa itself is issued on arrival at the airport or border, where biometric data are captured. Passports must be valid for at least six months from the date of entry. Fees are non-refundable, and holding an eVisa does not guarantee entry, which remains at the discretion of the immigration officer.

Sierra Leone's embassies and high commissions also issue visas in the passport, each under its own procedure and fee schedule. Foreigners who stay longer than 90 days to live, study or invest need a resident permit, and anyone who works needs a work permit; both are applied for online on the Unified Permit portal run by the Immigration Department and the labour ministry.

Which visa do I need?

One visit of up to 30 days: single-entry eVisa, USD 80 (USD 25 for African Union nationals), valid 90 days.

Several visits within a year: multiple-entry eVisa, USD 160 (USD 50 for African Union nationals), valid 365 days, 30 days per stay.

ECOWAS citizens: no eVisa needed.

Visa in the passport before travel: the Sierra Leone embassy or high commission responsible for your country of residence, under its own requirements and fees.

Living, studying or investing for more than 90 days: resident permit on unifiedpermit.gov.sl.

Working: work permit on the same portal, after the employer obtains a quota.

Visa types for Sierra Leone

Visits and short stays

Tourist visa Visa issued by a Sierra Leone embassy or high commission
Besides the online eVisa, Sierra Leone's embassies and high commissions issue visas placed in the passport before travel.
Validity: Set by the issuing mission and the visa chosen

Work

Work visa Work permit (Work Permit Act 2023)
Any non-citizen who intends to work, provide services or carry on gainful business in Sierra Leone needs a work permit under the Work Permit Act 2023.
Processing time: The portal reported an average of eight business days in October 2025

Residence

Residence permit Resident permit (Unified Permit portal)
Every foreign national who lives, studies or invests in Sierra Leone for more than 90 days needs a resident permit.

Online travel permits

e-Visa Sierra Leone eVisa (single and multiple entry)
Nationals of all countries except ECOWAS members apply on evisa.sl for a single-entry eVisa (valid 90 days) or a multiple-entry eVisa (valid 365 days), each allowing stays of up to 30 days; non-African Union nationals pay USD 80 or USD 160, African Union nationals USD 25 or USD 50.
Maximum stay: Up to 30 days per stay

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a visa for Sierra Leone?

Yes, unless you are an ECOWAS citizen. Everyone else applies for the eVisa on evisa.sl, USD 80 single entry or USD 160 multiple entry for non-African Union nationals and USD 25 or USD 50 for African Union nationals, or for a visa at a Sierra Leone mission.

When do I receive the visa?

After approval by email, the visa is issued on arrival at the airport or border.

How long does processing take?

The service advises applying well in advance, as it can in some cases take several weeks.

Is the fee refundable?

No. Fees are non-refundable once the application is submitted, including if it is refused.

Can I get a visa from a Sierra Leone embassy instead?

Yes. Sierra Leone's missions abroad issue visas in the passport; each sets its own documents, fees and processing times, so follow the instructions of the embassy or high commission responsible for your country of residence.

Where do I apply for residence and work permits?

Online on the Unified Permit portal, unifiedpermit.gov.sl, after obtaining a NIN and a Non-National ID card from the NCRA.