Sierra Leone Promotes Tourism with New Visa Policy

A statement from Sierra Leone’s Internal Affairs Ministry announced a new visa policy to come in effect on September 5th, 2019.

The Government of Sierra Leone announced its commitment to promote tourism and attract foreign direct investment (FDI) through a new visa policy. This new regime includes visa-free entry for citizens within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), while non-ECOWAS African Union nationals will enjoy visa-on-arrival with a USD $25 fee.

Meanwhile, citizens of the UK, EU, US, Commonwealth member countries, GCC member countries, BRICS countries, as well as a list of additional countries (see full list below), will benefit from a Visa-On-Arrival, for a fee of USD$ 80.

The state issue also noted that all countries with which Sierra Leone had previously established visa-free agreements, will continue to enjoy visa-free access to the western African nation.

With this new change, all nations mentioned above, will receive an additional +1 in their Global Mobility Score, while Sierra Leone’s Welcoming Score will increase to 71.

Sierra Leone is the latest of many African countries to announce a new visa policy that ensures a hassle-free visa processing experience for potential visitors, with the ambition to increase tourism and attract FDI. Popularly known for its richness in diamonds and other valuable minerals, Sierra Leone is gaining a new notoriety as a traveller’s secret beach destination with its teal waters, sun-stained hues, and surrounding rainforest greens.

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Does your passport grant you visa-on-arrival or visa-free access to Sierra Leone?

Eligible countries include:

Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, China, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Dominica, Estonia, Eswatini , Fiji, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Grenada, Greece, Guyana, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, Korea(Rep.), Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macao(SAR China), Malawi, Malaysia, Malta, Mauritius, Moldova, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russian Fed., Rwanda, Samoa, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Isl., South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, USA, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Vietnam and Zambia.

For more information, visit their government website.