Waterloo

Passport validity requirements 

To enter Sierra Leone, your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the date of your visa application.  

Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to. 

You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.  

Dual nationals

When returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. See Dual citizenship.

Visa requirements 

You must have a visa to enter Sierra Leone. 

Applying for a visa 

You can get a visa to visit or for business travel either: 

• when you arrive in Sierra Leone for 80 US dollars, paid in cash in US dollars
• before you travel – apply online for an e-visa 

Single entry visas are valid for 90 days from date of issuing for visits up to a maximum of 30 days. 

Multiple entry visas are valid for 365 days from date of issuing and are valid for multiple separate trips for up to a maximum of 30 days for each visit. 

If you’re travelling for a purpose other than a visit or business, you must get a visa before you travel. Contact the Sierra Leone High Commission in the UK. 

Vaccine requirements  

To enter Sierra Leone, you must have a certificate to prove you’ve had a yellow fever vaccination.  

For more details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Sierra Leone guide. 

Health travel declaration

All travellers entering or leaving Sierra Leone must complete a health declaration before travel using the Sierra Leone Health Travel Portal.

You must:

• complete the form online within 72 hours before travel
• ensure your travel details are accurate, including your seat number where possible
• keep your confirmation QR code or reference number and present it if requested

You may be required to undergo health screening on arrival.

If you do not comply, you may face delays or be refused entry or departure.

Ebola Screening

As a public health measure, Sierra Leone has introduced screening for arriving travellers. You should expect enhanced health screening measures on arrival.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared this a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.

Customs rules 

There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Sierra Leone.

You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty. 

Export of precious stones  

You must have an export licence to leave Sierra Leone with precious stones. Check the quality of any gems or minerals you buy. Any deals that appear too good to be true probably are. 

Customs rules 

There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Sierra Leone.

You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty. 

Export of precious stones  

You must have an export licence to leave Sierra Leone with precious stones. Check the quality of any gems or minerals you buy. Any deals that appear too good to be true probably are. 

Emergency services in Sierra Leone  

Telephone: 117 (ambulance, fire, police) 

Contact your travel provider and insurer 

Contact your travel provider and your insurer if you are involved in a serious incident or emergency abroad. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do. 

Refunds and changes to travel 

For refunds or changes to travel, contact your travel provider. You may also be able to make a claim through insurance. However, insurers usually require you to talk to your travel provider first. 

Find out more about changing or cancelling travel plans, including: 

• where to get advice if you are in a dispute with a provider 
• how to access previous versions of travel advice to support a claim 

Support from FCDO 

FCDO has guidance on staying safe and what to do if you need help or support abroad, including: 

• finding lawyers and funeral directors in Sierra Leone 
• dealing with a death in Sierra Leone  
• being arrested or imprisoned in Sierra Leone 
• getting help if you’re a victim of crime  
• what to do if you’re in hospital  
• if you’re affected by a crisis, such as a terrorist attack 

Contacting FCDO 

Help abroad  

See how to get help from the UK government abroad including in an emergency. 

Help in the UK  

You can call  FCDO in London if you need urgent help because something has happened to a friend or relative abroad.  

Telephone: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours)  

Find out about call charges

Get travel advice updates  

Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.  

Follow FCDO: 

• travel advice on X

• travel advice on Facebook

Risk information for British companies  

The Overseas Business Risk service offers information and advice for British companies operating in Sierra Leone on how to manage political, economic, and business security-related risks. 

Before you travel 

No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to: 

• see general advice for women travellers
• read our guide on disability and travel abroad
• see general advice for LGBT+ travellers
• read about safety for solo and independent travel
• see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad

Travel insurance 

If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.

About FCDO travel advice

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice. 

Get travel advice updates

Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated. 

Follow FCDO:   

• travel advice on X

• travel advice on Facebook

• Travel Aware on Instagram

Laws and cultural differences  

Sierra Leone has a tolerant, multi-religion culture. Always respect local traditions, customs, laws and religions and make sure your actions do not cause offence. 

Personal ID 

Always carry ID such as a passport or residence permit. The police will usually accept a copy of your passport’s photo page and visa stamp.  

Illegal drugs and prison sentences 

Do not become involved with drugs of any kind. There are heavy penalties for drug trafficking, including prison sentences. Prison conditions are harsh. 

Diamond smuggling 

There are heavy penalties for diamond smuggling, including prison sentences. 

Land ownership disputes

Land registry records are sometimes disputed and can lead to land disputes, where more than one person claims rights to the same land. Disputes can lead to threats of violence. If you are concerned about land ownership, seek independent legal advice and contact the Anti-Land Grabbing Unit of the Sierra Leone Police. The British High Commission cannot intervene with disputes or investigate ownership claims. 

Taking photographs and filmmaking

Do not take pictures of military installations or any other official government buildings, including prisons and courthouses. There have been instances where individuals have been arrested for doing so.

LGBT+ travellers 

Same-sex relations between men are illegal in Sierra Leone, even if they are consensual. Penalties can include imprisonment. Same-sex relations are not illegal between women. All travellers should exercise caution given the much more conservative culture than UK. 

Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers. 

Adoption in Sierra Leone  

The UK does not recognise adoption orders from Sierra Leone. If you are planning to adopt a child in Sierra Leone, make sure you comply with Sierra Leone’s adoption laws. The Ministry of Social Welfare, Gender and Children’s Affairs is responsible for adoptions in Sierra Leone.