Sierra Leone Visa Guide 2026: Types, Process, and Essential Tips

(SIERRA LEONE) Sierra Leone’s 2026 entry rules are simple: most travelers must get a visa before arrival or buy visa-on-arrival at approved border points, while ECOWAS citizens enter visa-free for 90 days. The fastest path for short visits is the government’s e-visas system, which usually returns an approval email within 24–72 hours and lists 3 working days as standard processing. Getting this wrong can mean missed flights, extra fees, or a long wait at the airport desk.

This guide walks through the full journey — from choosing the correct visa type to extending a stay — with clear timeframes and document checklists that border officers actually request. Start planning 4–6 weeks ahead, because travel advisories say 10–20% of applications face delays from missing scans or payment problems.

Choosing the right visa route for your trip

First, check whether you’re exempt. ECOWAS citizens with valid regional passports don’t need a visa for stays up to 90 days, but they still face routine passport checks.

Everyone else chooses between:

• E-visas (recommended for short stays)
• Embassy visas (for long or complex stays)
• Visa-on-arrival (limited locations)

Use the official Sierra Leone eVisa portal to confirm whether your trip fits a short-stay tourist or business category: https://evisa.sl.

Key details:

• The tourist “Visit Sierra Leone” e-visa is single-entry, valid for 30 days within 90 days of issuance, and can be extended once in-country.
• Business travelers must supply a letter from their employer or host explaining meetings, training, or deals.
• For work, long stays, or missionary activity, apply through an embassy instead of the online portal.

Visa-on-arrival: where it’s offered and what to carry

Visa-on-arrival is limited to three entry points:

• Freetown International Airport
• Gbalamuya (Guinea border)
• Jendema (Liberia border)

Expectations and essentials:

• Plan to pay $80+ in visa fees at the counter; have cash available and extra time for queues and document review.
• Bring the same basics you’d submit online:
• Passport valid for 6+ months beyond your stay, with at least two blank pages
• A recent passport photo
• Printed travel plan
• Border staff check the yellow fever vaccination certificate for non–West Africa arrivals.
• Print hotel bookings or an invitation letter; officers often ask where you’ll sleep.
• Carry a pen and copies — copying services may be expensive or closed.

Online e-visa journey — four clear actions

Treat e-visa filing like a document upload exercise. Follow these steps:

1. Complete the online form for each traveler (including children and infants).
2. Upload:

– Clear passport bio-page scan
– Recent color photo
– Itinerary or host letter
3. Add health proof: non-ECOWAS arrivals must show a valid yellow fever certificate at entry.
4. Pay by card and submit; fees are non-refundable.

After submission:

• Approvals often arrive by email in 24–72 hours, though the portal lists 3 working days as standard.
• Print the approval and keep it with your passport; many airlines and border desks still ask for paper even if you have electronic copies.
• Check spelling twice — name or passport errors lead to refusals.

Embassy applications for longer or complex travel

Use embassy filing when your trip isn’t covered by the portal (e.g., missionary cases, paid work, or longer stays). Expect to submit paper documents and follow local embassy procedures.

Typical embassy requirements and costs:

• Paper form, passport photos, proof of funds, and invitation/employer letter matching your purpose.
• Fees vary by nationality and service level.
• 2026 example fees (applicants’ reported figures):
• $160 for a 3-year multiple-entry visa for U.S. citizens
• $75 for Canadians
• $229 for UK applicants
• Expedited service adds $50; same-day decisions are sometimes offered.
• U.S. travelers also pay an airport security fee of $25 each way.
• Plan around the posted 3 working days processing time; bring copies and keep receipts.

Document checklist to avoid last-minute surprises

Most refusals stem from missing paperwork, not travel history. Prepare these items before booking non-refundable flights:

• Passport: 6+ months validity, two blank pages, plus a copy of the bio page.
• Photos: one to two recent color passport photos on a light background.
• Yellow fever certificate: mandatory for all non–West African arrivals.
• Itinerary and address: hotel booking, return ticket, or host invitation letter with contact details.
• Proof of funds: bank statements when requested.
• Business and missionary applicants: employer letter describing role and dates.
• Minors: birth certificate and notarized consent signed by both parents when required.

Timing applications and tracking decisions

Treat the visa as a time-bound permission that starts on the day it is issued, not the day you land.

Practical timing guidance:

• Standard processing: 3 working days (even if some approvals are faster).
• Apply 4–6 weeks before travel when possible; 10–20% of applications experience delays.
• Common delay causes: unreadable scans, mismatched names, payment failures.
• After approval: print the e-visa email or collect the embassy-issued visa and check details line by line (passport number, entry dates, visa category).
• Airline staff often review visas before boarding and can deny check-in if documents don’t match.

What to expect at the border (Freetown and land crossings)

Arrival is an interview as much as a stamp. Officers will:

• Compare passport to visa approval and ask where you’ll stay and when you’ll leave.
• Check your printed e-visa approval, hotel details, and return/onward ticket together.
• Ask for the yellow fever certificate (health checks often occur first).
• For visa-on-arrival: expect a payment step and an extra paperwork review.

Important reminder:

Immigration officers make the final entry decision, even with a valid visa. A visa is permission to seek entry, not a guarantee of admission.

Remain polite and give clear answers; if pulled aside, stay calm and cooperative.

Extending stays and avoiding overstay penalties

Short-stay visas are not open-ended. Key rules:

• Tourist e-visas and visa-on-arrival are generally valid for 30 days and extendable once through Sierra Leone Immigration Services if applied for before expiry.
• Business visas may allow multiple entries but still have enforced end dates.
• Overstaying triggers fines starting at Le 100,000+ and can result in bans or detention.

If you need an extension:

1. Visit the immigration office early — don’t wait until the last week.
2. Bring your passport, current visa, and proof of address.
3. Note: the e-visa does not permit paid employment; obtain proper authorization for work.

Practical planning for families, business travelers, and regional visitors

Families:

• Each traveler needs a separate application.
• Children may require extra documents (birth certificate, parental consent).
• Pack snacks and water for potential airport waits.

Business travelers:

• Align invitation letter, meeting schedule, and hotel address — inconsistencies raise questions.
• Carry proof of the meeting schedule and host contact details.

Regional visitors:

• ECOWAS citizens usually move faster; still carry proof of onward travel during busy periods.

Best practices:

• Print approvals and store backup copies.
• Keep your story, documents, and dates consistent from application to departure.
• Budget for fees and the possibility of extra processing time.

According to VisaVerge.com analysis, digital filing has reduced paperwork but hasn’t removed border discretion. The safest habit is simple: be consistent, well-documented, and prepared for checks and small fees.