Visitor & short-stay visas
Sierra Leonean Visa on Arrival
A visa issued at the port of entry for eligible nationalities arriving in Sierra Leone.
Under review — check current rules
Important information
- Official name
- Visa on Arrival
- Route type
- Visa issued at port of entry
- Main entry points
- Freetown (Lungi) International Airport and designated land borders
- Specific eligible-country lists and any fee are not published on an official SLID page reviewed here.
- Cost
- Confirm current fee and eligibility before travel
- Third-party sources cite figures such as USD 80 for some nationalities and free entry for others; not verified on an official page.
- Where issued
- At the port of entry (Freetown–Lungi International Airport)
- Maximum stay
- Determined by the Immigration Officer on arrival
- Commonly reported as a one-month stamp initially; not confirmed on official pages
- Number of entries
- Single or multiple, at the officer's discretion
- Passport validity
- At least 6 months
Who it is for
- Nationals of countries on Sierra Leone's visa-on-arrival list
- Travellers who prefer to obtain their visa at the border, where eligible
- Note: many eligible nationals may also choose to apply online via the eVisa portal instead
Requirements
- A valid passport
- Evidence you meet the entry conditions for your nationality
- Means to pay any applicable fee at the port of entry
How to apply
Confirm your nationality is currently eligible for visa on arrival, then present your passport and supporting documents at a designated entry point. If in doubt, apply for an eVisa in advance at evisa.sl.
Documents you may need
- Passport (valid 6+ months) and a passport-style photograph
- Yellow fever vaccination certificate
- Confirmed onward/return ticket
- Accommodation or host details / letter of invitation
Frequently asked questions
The length of stay and whether it is single or multiple entry are decided by the Immigration Officer at the port of entry. Travellers commonly report an initial one-month stamp that can be extended, but this is not guaranteed. To avoid uncertainty, consider applying for an eVisa in advance where you are eligible, and confirm current rules with the Sierra Leone Immigration Department.
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.
Related Sierra Leonean visas
- SHORT STAYTOURISMAPPLY ONLINETourist eVisaAn electronic entry visa for travellers visiting Sierra Leone for tourism, family visits or leisure, applied for online before you travel.View visa details
- BUSINESSSHORT TRIPSAPPLY ONLINEBusiness eVisaAn electronic entry visa for short business trips to Sierra Leone, covering activities such as meetings, conferences and negotiations.View visa details
- SHORT STAYTRANSITAPPLY ONLINETransit eVisaA short electronic visa for travellers passing through Sierra Leone en route to another destination.View visa details
- SHORT STAYECOWAS CITIZENSVISA-FREEECOWAS Visa-Free EntryVisa-free entry for citizens of ECOWAS member states, granted under the regional free-movement protocol.View visa details
