Sierra Leone visa from an embassy or high commission

Sierra Leone's missions abroad issue visas for travellers who want the visa placed in the passport before they fly, or whose plans do not suit the 30-day eVisa stay. A mission normally serves residents of the country where it is located and of the other countries it is accredited to; the Washington embassy, for instance, covers the United States, Canada and other accredited countries. Visa types, lengths and fees are set in each mission's own schedule, and ECOWAS passport holders need no visa.

Expect the mission's completed and signed application form, a passport valid for at least six months with blank pages, a recent passport photo and proof of yellow fever vaccination, as the Washington embassy lists; its form has a separate section for applicants under 18. Some missions ask for further documents, so read the list of the embassy or high commission responsible for you before applying.

Fees are set by each mission, often by nationality and visa length. The Washington embassy publishes a table by passport, charges an extra USD 50 for its expedited service, states that all fees are non-refundable and accepts only money orders or cashier's checks payable to the embassy, not cash or personal checks. Compare the mission's fee with the eVisa, which costs USD 80 single entry for non-African Union nationals and USD 25 for African Union nationals.

Missions accept applications in person or by post according to their own rules; the Washington embassy asks postal applicants for a prepaid self-addressed envelope. Some missions require an interview or an appointment. Report any material change in your circumstances to the mission after you apply.

Processing times are set by each mission. The Washington embassy's expedited service takes two to three business days; ask the mission responsible for you for its standard time. Apply well before travel, especially if you send your passport by post.