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Sierra Leone Visa for United States Citizens 2026

Visa on Arrival

US citizens need a visa for Sierra Leone, available as an e-visa in advance or as a visa on arrival at Freetown's main airport for travelers who pre-register online.

Guide last updated October 2, 2026. Always verify with official sources before travel.

What you need

  • Passport valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of entry
  • Online pre-registration through the Sierra Leone eServices/eCitizen portal before travel
  • Yellow fever vaccination certificate (mandatory for all travelers)
  • Passport-style digital photo uploaded with the online application
  • Confirmed accommodation and return/onward ticket
  • Biometrics (photo and fingerprints) are collected on arrival at the airport visa desk

Visa types

  • Tourist visa: single entry, stay up to 30-90 days depending on approval, fee around USD 80-160
  • Business visa: requires an invitation letter from a Sierra Leonean company, similar fee range
  • Multiple-entry visa: available for frequent travelers at a higher fee (roughly USD 160-200)

Visa on arrival

  • Available at Freetown's Lungi International Airport for travelers who have pre-registered online and received approval before departure
  • Steps: submit the eServices application and documents online, arrange payment, then collect the visa stamp at the designated counter after passport and biometric checks on arrival
  • Fee is typically paid in USD cash or by card where available; carry exact USD bills since change can be limited
  • Expect queue times of 30-60 minutes at the arrival visa counter, longer during peak flight arrivals

Fees & processing time

  • Visa fee: approximately USD 80 for a single-entry tourist visa, higher for multiple entry or business categories
  • Online pre-approval: usually processed within 3-5 business days
  • No separate VFS/BLS fee, since applications go directly through the government portal

Tips for United States travelers

  • Always complete the online pre-registration before flying; arriving without it can mean lengthy delays or denied boarding by the airline
  • Carry your yellow fever certificate with your passport at all times, since it is checked at the airport health desk before immigration
  • Bring clean, undamaged USD bills for any on-arrival fees, since card acceptance is unreliable at the airport
  • Lungi Airport is across the bay from Freetown; budget time and cost for the ferry or water taxi transfer into the city

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.