Immigration law in Sierra Leone

Short visits generally use an eVisa or visa on arrival. A single-entry visa usually permits a stay of up to 30 days within a three-month validity period. A multiple-entry visa may be valid for six months or one year, but each stay is usually limited to 30 days. A visa is only pre-entry clearance; the immigration officer at the port of entry makes the final admission decision. Applicants normally need a passport valid for at least six months, signed forms, two passport photographs, a non-refundable fee, a yellow-fever certificate and a return or onward ticket. An invitation from a registered company or organization, financial evidence or hotel details may also be required depending on the application. ECOWAS citizens benefit from regional free-movement arrangements for entry, residence and establishment without a visa or entry permit. Registration or a residence permit is generally relevant for stays exceeding 90 days, although practical implementation can be uneven. Other longer-stay purposes include employment, with a separate work permit and a residence permit for the stay. The Work Permit Act 2023 requires evidence concerning the availability of qualified Sierra Leonean workers, local wages and working conditions, labour-law compliance and the employer's operational need. A work permit normally lasts one year from issue, requires annual renewal, is limited to the stated purpose and employer, and is not transferable. Changing employer can make the permit void, while the employer must report the end of employment within seven working days. From 1 January 2026, the Unified Permit process is intended to combine online residence and work applications. The applicant creates an account, selects the permit type, submits the form and documents, pays through the specified channel and tracks the application. The portal indicates about five to seven business days for work-permit processing, but this is not a statutory service deadline. A current NIN or Non-National ID is required. The Sierra Leone Immigration Department handles entry, visas, residence permits and border control. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and its missions conduct visa checks before travel. The Ministry of Employment, Labour and Social Security and the Work Permit Committee handle employment authorization, while the National Revenue Authority collects residence-permit fees. The National Civil Registration Authority issues NIN and Non-National ID records. A person seeking protection can apply in writing to the Sierra Leone Immigration Department, an authorized officer or through the relevant UN channel. The application can proceed to the Implementing Agency, including NaCSA, for refugee status determination. Applicants have access to a free interpreter during the determination process, contact with UNHCR or an NGO, legal representation and a reasoned written negative decision. An appeal against a refugee decision generally has to be filed within 30 days after the decision is received. Recognized refugees and protected family members receive rights under the 1951 Refugee Convention and the OAU Convention, and non-refoulement protects against return where this would expose a person to persecution or torture. The law also covers family members such as a spouse, an unmarried child under 18, an adopted child or a dependent relative. Sierra Leone has citizenship by birth or descent, marriage and naturalisation. Since 2017, a person born abroad on or after 19 April 1971 may acquire citizenship by descent through a mother or father who was or would have been a citizen by birth under the statutory rules. Dual citizenship has been permitted since 2006. Naturalisation generally requires the applicant to be at least 21 years old, satisfy a residence period of eight years for a person of Negro African descent or 15 years otherwise, show language knowledge and good character, intend to reside permanently, take the Oath of Allegiance and provide residence and employment information. The citizenship process can include review by the Chief Immigration Officer or Deputy Chief Immigration Officer and approval by the State House or the President. No verified statutory processing deadline is established in the available sources. A separate, currently published statutory pathway to permanent residence has not been reliably established. The National Revenue Authority describes a residential permit as fixed-term or indefinite, but the operational Unified Permit system uses residence permits and does not establish automatic settlement status or automatic citizenship. Permit holders need to follow the stated visa or permit conditions, keep required residence information current and present documents when required. Unlawful stay or another violation can lead to classification as a prohibited immigrant, expulsion or deportation. Entry can be refused despite a visa for reasons such as missing travel documents, insufficient means, public-charge concerns, public-order grounds or a breach of visa conditions. Current fee tables are not complete in the public sources. Confirm visa, eVisa, residence-permit and work-permit charges through the official portal or the National Revenue Authority before paying. Work-permit fees are category-based under the 2024 regulations, while the status of parliamentary withdrawal and resubmission affects reliance on older fee information. Refugee applicants can receive free interpretation and NaCSA-funded legal aid. The Refugee Status Appeal Committee handles protection appeals, including appeals against cancellation or withdrawal of status, with a 30-day period for representations or appeal where applicable. A general judicial or administrative remedy may exist under constitutional and court rules, but no separate current immigration appeal procedure is established for every type of refusal.