Sierra Leone visas
Whether you need a visa for Sierra Leone depends on your nationality and the purpose and length of your stay. Citizens of ECOWAS member states enter without a visa, some nationalities can obtain a visa on arrival or an electronic visa, and longer stays for work, study, business or residence require permits. All entry visas, permits and passports are administered by the Sierra Leone Immigration Department (SLID), with online applications handled through its official eVisa portal (evisa.sl) and Unified Permit portal (unifiedpermit.gov.sl).
Sierra Leonean visa categories
Explore visa categories by the purpose of your trip.
- Visitor & short-stay visasShort stays in Sierra Leone — tourism, visiting family or friends, business visits and transit, plus any visa-free or e-visa options.5 visas
- Work visasComing to Sierra Leone to work — the employment and skilled-worker routes and the permits they require.1 visa
- Study visasStudying in Sierra Leone — student visas and permits for accepted students.1 visa
- Family visasJoining or sponsoring a partner, child or other relative in Sierra Leone.1 visa
- Business & investor visasInvesting, doing business or coming to Sierra Leone as a highly skilled individual.1 visa
- Residence & citizenshipLiving in Sierra Leone long term — residence routes and, where available, the path to citizenship.3 visas
Sierra Leonean visa application at a glance
From start to finish in five simple steps.
- 01Choose the right visa
- 02Check eligibility & documents
- 03Apply online
- 04Provide biometrics
- 05Wait for a decision
Sierra Leone — key facts
- Visa authority
- Sierra Leone Immigration Department (SLID)
- Application
- Online (in most cases)
- Biometrics
- Usually required
- Currency
- Sierra Leonean Leone (SLE)
- Time zone
- Greenwich Mean Time (GMT, UTC+0)
Official sources
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always refer to the official government sources.
Verified against official sources · last reviewed 2026-08-21. Information only — not legal advice.