Sierra Leone Visa Information

Summary

	Passport Required?	Visa Required?	Return Ticket Required?
British	Yes	Yes	Yes
Australian	Yes	Yes	Yes
Canadian	Yes	Yes	Yes
USA	Yes	Yes	Yes
Other EU	Yes	Yes	Yes

Passports

Passport valid for a minimum of one year required by all nationals referred to in the chart above.

Visas

Required by all nationals referred to in the chart above except:

(a) transit passengers continuing their journey by the same or first connecting aircraft within 24 hours provided holding onward or return documentation and not leaving the airport transit area.

Note:

Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements.

Types of Visa and Cost
Tourist and Business: £50 (single-entry); £75 ( six month multiple-entry); £100 (one year multiple-entry). An Emergency Travel Certificate is £50. 

Validity

Single-entry visas are valid for three months and allow a stay of one month in Sierra Leone. An extension is available by applying to the Department of Immigration in Freetown. Multiple-entry tourist and business visas are valid for six months or one year.

Applications to:

Consulate (or consular section at embassy or high commission).

Working Days Required

Three.

Warning

Transport infrastructure is poor. None of the options for transferring between the international airport at Lungi and Freetown are risk-free. You should study the transfer options carefully before traveling, especially if you plan to arrive at night. Wherever possible, use water modes by day and helicopter at night. Do not travel on the hovercraft.

 

You should take precautions and avoid demonstrations, especially in urban areas. Over the weekend of 13-16 March 2009 there were demonstrations between rival political supporters in Freetown.     

 

On 13 December 2007, residents in Koidu town, Kono district, clashed with police during protests against a local mining company. Travelers should take sensible precautions when traveling in Kono district and avoid demonstrations.

 

The political situation in Sierra Leone remains unpredictable following the national elections. Final results were announced on 17 September and tensions may remain during the transition of government. You should avoid large crowds and demonstrations and be aware of the potential for violence.

 

Visits to the Western Area of Sierra Leone, including Freetown are usually trouble-free. Petty crime is common. Travelers should exercise caution when traveling in Freetown, particularly in the Eastern area of the city and in the central commercial district around Siaka Stevens Street, Lightfoot Boston Street and Sir Samuel Lewis Road. Travelers should take sensible precautions and maintain a high level of vigilance in public places. 

 

Visitors should be aware that a number of violent incidents have taken place around nightclubs and bars at the southern end of Lumley Beach in November 2007. They should exercise particular caution in this area after dark.

 

The threat from terrorism is low, but you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate attacks, which could be against civilian targets including places frequented by foreigners.

 

Water shortages are frequent. Networked power is rare; rented accommodation and hotels rely on generators and imported fuel supplies.

Vaccinations

	Special Precautions	Certificate Required?
Diphtheria	Yes
Hepatitis A	Yes
Malaria	Yes
Rabies	Sometimes
Tetanus	Yes
Typhoid	Yes
Yellow Fever	Yes

Health Care
Medical facilities are extremely limited and continuing to decline. Missions and foreign aid organizations provide some medical facilities. Health insurance is essential. It is advisable to take personal medical supplies.

 

 

List of countries having Embassies and Consulates in the Sierra Leone
Austria ,Belgium ,Germany ,Hungary ,India ,Ireland ,Israel ,Italy ,Lebanon ,Malta ,Netherlands ,Portugal ,Saudi Arabia ,Senegal ,United Kingdom ,Bahamas ,China ,Ethiopia ,Equatorial Guinea ,Iran ,Liberia ,Libya ,Russia ,