🇦🇪UAE

🏳SLAE-SL

Do UAE passport holders need a visa to visit SL?

Q: Is the eVisa or visa on arrival better?

The eVisa is recommended because it is arranged before travel and reduces the risk of delays or refusal at the airport. Visa on arrival is officially available for the same USD 80 fee as a fallback.

Q: How long can I stay on a single-entry tourist visa?

Up to 30 days. The visa itself is valid for 90 days from the date of issue.

Q: How much does the visa cost?

USD 80 for non-African Union nationals, which includes UAE citizens. Budget an additional USD 25 airport security fee per arrival/departure.

Q: Do I need a yellow fever vaccination?

Yes. Proof of yellow fever vaccination (the international certificate) is required to enter Sierra Leone.

Q: How long does the eVisa take to process?

Most applications are approved within about 2-5 working days, but apply at least a week ahead to be safe.

UAE ordinary passport holders need a visa for Sierra Leone. The recommended route is the official eVisa (apply online at evisa.sl before travel); a visa on arrival is also officially available at major entry points for the same USD 80 fee. A United Arab Emirates ordinary passport holder is not visa-exempt for Sierra Leone and must obtain a visa for a short tourist stay. Sierra Leone operates an official electronic visa system (evisa.sl), introduced in 2019, which is the recommended channel: travelers apply online, upload documents, pay, and receive an approval/application ID to present on arrival. A visa on arrival is also officially available to UAE/GCC nationals at Freetown (Lungi) International Airport and main land borders for USD 80 cash, but pre-arranging the eVisa is safer and avoids airport delays. The single-entry tourist visa permits a stay of up to 30 days and is valid for 90 days from issue. The fee for non-African Union nationals (which includes UAE citizens) is USD 80. A passport valid at least 6 months beyond the application date, proof of onward travel, and a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate are required. Note a separate USD 25 airport security fee is collected on arrival and departure. Sierra Leone is not in the Schengen area, so Schengen/ETIAS rules do not apply.

VISA REQUIREDTOURISMFLEXIBLE ENTRYLast verified 2026-05-30

For guidance only — visa rules change with little notice. Always confirm directly with the destination's embassy or foreign ministry before booking non-refundable travel. Information here applies to ordinary (non-diplomatic) passports unless noted.

UAE (Golden Visa)Living in UAE as a permanent resident? See PR-specific guidance→

/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-05-30

Visa type

Electronic visa (eVisa) — single entry; visa on arrival also available

Maximum stay

Up to 30 days

per entry

Entries

Single entry (multiple-entry options available)

from issue date

Visa fee

USD 80 (non-African Union nationals)

consular fee only

Processing time

Approx. 2-5 working days

standard track

Validity

90 days from date of issue

from issue date

/02 — The process

How to apply

/01

Confirm eligibility and documents

Verify your UAE ordinary passport is valid at least 6 months beyond your eVisa application date and has a blank page. Prepare a passport-style photo, onward/return ticket, and accommodation details.

· 6 months passport validity

/02

Get a yellow fever vaccination

Sierra Leone requires proof of yellow fever vaccination for entry. Obtain the vaccine and keep the international certificate (yellow card) to show on arrival.

· Mandatory· Yellow fever certificate

/03

Apply on the official eVisa portal

Go to evisa.sl and complete the online application form with travel, passport, and personal details. Upload your passport bio page and photo in digital format.

· evisa.sl

/04

Pay the visa fee online

Pay the USD 80 non-AU national fee through the portal. An application ID is issued after payment and approval.

· USD 80

/05

Receive approval and print confirmation

Most applications are processed in about 2-5 working days. Download and print your eVisa approval / application ID to carry with you.

· 2-5 working days

/06

Enter Sierra Leone

Present your printed eVisa approval, passport, yellow fever certificate, and onward ticket to immigration. Pay the separate USD 25 airport security fee on arrival.

· USD 25 airport fee

/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

10 items

Personalized checklist

0 / 10 complete

UAE passport valid 6+ months beyond application date with a blank page

required

Completed online eVisa application at evisa.sl

required

Recent passport-style photograph (digital)

required

Scan of passport bio-data page

required

Yellow fever vaccination certificate

required

Confirmed onward / return air ticket

required

Proof of accommodation or host details

recommended

USD 80 visa fee (card/online payment)

required

USD 25 cash for airport security fee on arrival/departure

recommended

Printed copy of eVisa approval / application ID

recommended

Track your progress · save & email a copy

/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate

Line itemAmountSource

eVisa fee (non-AU nationals)USD 80Single-entry tourist eVisa for UAE citizens

Visa on arrivalUSD 80Cash in US dollars at Lungi Airport / land borders — alternative to eVisa

Airport security feeUSD 25Collected separately on arrival and on departure

Total estimateUSD 80 — USD 130incl. all

/05 — The wait

Processing time

Standard eVisa (online)

2-5 working days

Apply at evisa.sl before travel; recommended to avoid airport delays.

Visa on arrival

At the border

Issued on arrival at Lungi Airport or main land borders for USD 80 cash; viable but riskier than pre-arranging.

/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency

/01

UAE is not visa-exempt for Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone grants visa-free entry mainly to ECOWAS members; UAE nationals are not on the exemption list and must obtain a visa.

High

/02

Official eVisa system in place

Sierra Leone runs an electronic visa portal (evisa.sl) that is the recommended pre-travel channel for most foreign visitors.

High

/03

Visa on arrival officially available

UAE/GCC nationals may also obtain a visa on arrival for USD 80, providing a fallback option.

Medium

/04

Yellow fever certificate mandatory

Proof of yellow fever vaccination is an entry condition, independent of the visa.

Medium

/07 — On arrival

After you land

/01

Immigration

Keep your passport, visa or exemption proof, return ticket, and accommodation details ready for border inspection.

/02

Customs

Review the destination's customs rules before travel and declare restricted goods or large cash amounts when required.

/03

Connectivity

Check whether airport SIMs, eSIMs, or roaming are the best option for your route before arrival.

/08 — The history

Policy changelog

since 2024

2026-05-30 · major

United Arab Emirates to Sierra Leone route verified

Confirmed visa-required status with eVisa as the recommended channel and visa on arrival as an alternative (both USD 80 for non-AU nationals); 30-day stay, 90-day validity. Verified against GOV.UK entry requirements, Sierra Leone visa policy, and the official evisa.sl portal.

/09 — The questions