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Sierra Leone Visa for United States Citizens 2026

Visa on Arrival

US citizens can obtain a visa on arrival at Lungi International Airport in Freetown for tourism or business; fees are around USD 80 for Tourist and USD 100 for Business, valid for 30 days with a possible extension, and the visa is issued at the port desk upon arrival.

Guide last updated September 3, 2026. Always verify with official sources before travel.

What you need

  • Passport validity: your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry and have at least two blank pages.
  • Specific forms: no pre-arrival visa form is required for visa on arrival; you will complete a Visa on Arrival (VOA) form at the airport visa desk on arrival.
  • Financial proof: there is no fixed cash requirement for VOA, but you should be able to show you can cover your stay. a practical guideline is to have funds roughly USD 100–150 per day depending on plans and accommodation; carry readily accessible cash or a card to pay fees.
  • Accommodation and return ticket: hotel booking confirmation or invitation letter; and a return or onward ticket showing departure from Sierra Leone.
  • Photo spec: two recent passport photos (2x2 inches / 51x51 mm) with a white background.
  • Biometrics: not routinely collected for VOA on arrival; your passport will be stamped after review.
  • Travel health insurance: recommended but not mandatory for VOA.
  • Vaccinations: Yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for travelers aged 9 months and older; present the certificate on arrival.
  • Other: ensure your passport has at least two blank pages and is undamaged.

Visa types

  • Tourist visa: Official name: Tourist Visa; Validity: 30 days from date of issue; Max stay: 30 days; Entry: Single; Approx fee: USD 80.
  • Business visa: Official name: Business Visa; Validity: 30 days from date of issue; Max stay: 30 days; Entry: Single; Approx fee: USD 100.
  • Student visa: Official name: Student Visa (ECitizen application); Validity: typically 1 year (renewable); Max stay: 1 year; Entry: Multiple; Approx fee: varies (check ECitizen portal; typical range USD 150–300).
  • Work visa: Official name: Work Visa (ECitizen application); Validity: variable (usually 1 year, renewables); Max stay: 1 year (renewable); Entry: Multiple; Approx fee: varies (check ECitizen portal; typical range USD 200–400).
  • Transit visa: Official name: Transit Visa; Validity: short duration (typically a few days); Entry: Single; Approx fee: varies (check ECitizen portal; not commonly issued on arrival).

Application process

  • Visa on arrival: Port of entry is Lungi International Airport (Freetown) for VOA; other ports may be limited or require pre-approval via ECitizen.
  • How to apply online: not required for VOA; you apply at the airport desk on arrival. For longer stays or non-tourist purposes, use the ECitizen portal to obtain a visa in advance (Tourist/Business as applicable).
  • Steps at the port: upon arrival, proceed to the visa on arrival desk, submit your passport, VOA form, two photos if requested, hotel booking or invitation letter, and your return/onward ticket; pay the visa fee in USD or Sierra Leonean Leone (SLL) as directed; receive the visa stamp/sticker in your passport.
  • Fees and currencies: VOA fees are typically payable in USD or SLL; current rates are USD 80 (Tourist) or USD 100 (Business) per entry; exact amount and accepted currencies are posted at the desk.
  • Queue tips: arrive early, have all documents ready, keep your passport accessible, and have cash in small denominations for the fee.
  • How approval arrives: the visa is issued on the spot at the desk; your passport will be stamped or a visa sticker placed inside.

Fees & processing time

  • Visa on arrival fees: Tourist USD 80; Business USD 100 (payable at the VOA desk in USD or SLL).
  • VFS/BLS service fees: not applicable for standard Sierra Leone VOA; third-party service fees apply only if you use a private visa service before arrival.
  • Total cost estimate: USD 80–100 for the visa plus any third-party service fees if used.
  • Standard processing time: typically 30–60 minutes at the VOA desk, depending on queue length and processing speed.
  • Express/priority option: not generally offered for VOA; processing depends on desk workload.

Tips for United States travelers

  • How far in advance to apply: VOA is obtained on arrival; if you want to secure entry before travel, consider applying for an eVisa via ECitizen in advance ( Tourist or Business ), and check current processing times on ecitizen.gov.sl.
  • Common rejection reasons for US applicants specifically: passport validity less than 6 months, insufficient funds or lack of return/onward ticket, missing or inconsistent hotel/invitation details, missing yellow fever certificate, or incomplete/incorrect information on forms.
  • VFS/BLS vs direct embassy application: VOA is handled at the port of entry; there is no VFS/BLS for the standard visa on arrival; for longer stays or non-tourist purposes, use ECitizen to apply online before travel.
  • Travel advisories: check the latest U.S. Department of State travel advisories and Sierra Leone government notices before travel; verify current entry requirements as policies can change.
  • Extension options inside Sierra Leone: extensions may be granted by the Sierra Leone Immigration Service at their offices; extension typically involves fee payment and submission of documents supporting the extension request; process and eligibility vary by case.

Official links & resources

Always confirm requirements with government or embassy sources before applying.

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This guide is for information only. Visa policies change without notice. Travel Visa Stack is not an immigration authority. Always verify with official government or embassy sources before making travel plans.