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Residence & citizenship

Sierra Leonean Residence Permit

The permit that authorises a foreign national to reside in Sierra Leone, renewable through the Unified Permit portal.

Expert reviewed Official guidance referenced
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Under review — check current rules

Residence permit validity (commonly cited as one year) and fees are not published on an official page reviewed here; verify in the Unified Permit portal.

Important information

Immigration rules and fees can change. This information is for general guidance only and does not constitute legal advice. Always check the latest requirements on the official Sierra Leone government website before you apply.
On this page
Official name
Residence permit (Unified Permit system)
Route type
Residence authorisation, renewable
Where to apply
Unified Permit portal, unifiedpermit.gov.sl
Features
Supports renewals, extensions and re-entry
Administered by
Sierra Leone Immigration Department
Cost
Varies by category — confirm at authorised channels
Not published on official pages reviewed
Validity
Set per category on issue
Duration/renewal not published on official pages reviewed

Who it is for

  • Foreign nationals residing in Sierra Leone on the basis of work, business, study or family
  • Residents needing to extend their stay or obtain re-entry authorisation

Requirements

  • A qualifying basis for residence (employment, business, study or family)
  • A valid passport
  • Supporting documents as prompted in the portal
  • Payment of the applicable charge

How to apply

Apply and renew through unifiedpermit.gov.sl, uploading the required documents, paying the charge and tracking the application. Confirm the current validity and fees in the portal before payment.

Documents you may need

  • Valid passport and passport-style photographs
  • Proof of your basis to reside (e.g. employment contract, business registration, family documents)
  • Evidence of lawful entry / current immigration status
  • Any category-specific documents listed on the portal checklist

Frequently asked questions

  • Residence and work permits, extensions and re-entry are handled through Sierra Leone's Unified Permit portal (unifiedpermit.gov.sl), run by the Immigration Department. The department advises following the document checklist in full before submitting and confirming all charges through authorised channels only.

Official sources

For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always refer to the official government sources.

Verified against official gov.uk sources · last reviewed 2026-08-21. Information only — not legal advice.

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