🇩🇪GERMANY

🏳SLDE-SL

Do Germany passport holders need a visa to visit SL?

Q: Can I get a visa on arrival in Sierra Leone?

Visa on arrival is available to EU nationals for around USD 80, but it is not recommended as airlines may refuse boarding without a confirmed visa. Use the eVisa instead.

Q: How long can I stay on a Sierra Leone tourist eVisa?

The standard tourist eVisa allows a stay of up to 30 days and is typically valid for about 90 days from issue to enter.

Q: How much does the Sierra Leone eVisa cost?

For non-African nationals the eVisa fee is approximately USD 80-100, paid online on the official portal.

Q: Is a yellow fever vaccination required?

Yes. Proof of yellow fever vaccination is mandatory for entry into Sierra Leone, so carry your vaccination certificate.

Q: How long does the eVisa take to process?

Processing is usually around 3 business days, but you should apply well in advance and allow up to 5-7 days.

German (ordinary) passport holders need a visa for Sierra Leone. The recommended route is the eVisa, applied for online before travel through the official portal evisa.sl. A visa on arrival is also available to EU citizens, but airlines may refuse boarding without a pre-approved visa, so the eVisa is strongly preferred. Sierra Leone is not a visa-free or Schengen destination for German citizens; a visa is required for tourism. The simplest and most reliable channel is the eVisa, submitted online via the official Sierra Leone Immigration Department portal (evisa.sl) before departure, with electronic approval typically within a few business days. The eVisa is generally a single-entry document valid for around 90 days from issue and allowing a stay of up to 30 days. While Sierra Leone also offers visa on arrival to EU/EU-member-state nationals (around USD 80 for non-African Union nationals), this is not recommended as the primary option because carriers can deny boarding to travelers without a confirmed visa. A passport valid at least six months beyond entry and a passport photo are required, and proof of yellow fever vaccination is mandatory for entry to Sierra Leone. Conservatively, the best single verdict for a short tourist stay is "evisa".

VISA REQUIREDTOURISMSINGLE 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.

Germany (PR)Living in Germany as a permanent resident? See PR-specific guidance→

/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-05-30

Visa type

eVisa (tourist / short visit); visa on arrival also available to EU nationals

Maximum stay

Up to 30 days

per entry

Entries

Single entry (standard tourist eVisa)

from issue date

Visa fee

Approx. USD 80-100 (eVisa, non-African nationals)

consular fee only

Processing time

Around 3 business days (allow up to 5-7)

standard track

Validity

Approx. 90 days from issue to enter

from issue date

/02 — The process

How to apply

/01

Confirm you need a visa

As a German ordinary passport holder you cannot enter Sierra Leone visa-free. Plan to obtain an eVisa before you travel rather than relying on visa on arrival.

· Visa required· eVisa recommended

/02

Gather your documents

Prepare a passport valid for at least 6 months beyond entry, a recent passport-style photo, travel/flight details, accommodation information and your yellow fever vaccination certificate.

· Passport 6+ months· Yellow fever certificate

/03

Apply on the official eVisa portal

Create an account at evisa.sl, complete the application form, upload your documents and photo, and select the tourist visa category.

· evisa.sl· Tourist category

/04

Pay the visa fee online

Pay the eVisa fee (approximately USD 80-100 for non-African nationals) by card on the official portal. Keep the payment receipt.

· Card payment· Keep receipt

/05

Receive and print your eVisa

Approval is usually issued by email within a few business days. Print the eVisa approval letter and carry it with your passport.

· Email approval· Print copy

/06

Enter Sierra Leone

Present your passport, printed eVisa and yellow fever certificate at Freetown (Lungi) International Airport or a land border. Immigration will stamp your entry.

· Lungi Airport· Show yellow fever proof

/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

10 items

Personalized checklist

0 / 10 complete

Passport valid at least 6 months beyond date of entry

required

At least one blank passport page

required

Approved eVisa printout (or VOA approval)

required

Recent passport-size photograph

required

Yellow fever vaccination certificate

required

Confirmed return or onward flight ticket

recommended

Proof of accommodation / hotel booking

recommended

eVisa fee payment confirmation

required

Sufficient funds for the stay

recommended

Travel/health insurance

recommended

Track your progress · save & email a copy

/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate

Line itemAmountSource

eVisa fee (non-African nationals)USD 80-100Single-entry tourist eVisa via official portal evisa.sl

Visa on arrival (non-AU nationals)USD 80Available to EU nationals; not recommended due to boarding risk

Yellow fever vaccinationVaries (clinic dependent)Mandatory; cost depends on provider in Germany

Total estimateUSD 80 — USD 100incl. all

/05 — The wait

Processing time

eVisa (online, pre-travel)

~3 business days (allow up to 5-7)

Apply via evisa.sl before departure; receive electronic approval by email. Reduces risk of denied boarding.

Visa on arrival

At the border / airport

Available to EU nationals for ~USD 80, but airlines may refuse boarding without a confirmed visa.

/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency

/01

No visa-waiver agreement

Germany and Sierra Leone have no visa-free arrangement; German ordinary passport holders are not visa-exempt.

High

/02

eVisa is the official recommended channel

Sierra Leone Immigration operates an online eVisa portal (evisa.sl) for tourists, processed before travel.

High

/03

Boarding risk with visa on arrival

Carriers may deny boarding to passengers without a pre-approved visa, making the eVisa the safer choice.

Medium

/04

Yellow fever entry requirement

Sierra Leone requires proof of yellow fever vaccination for entry, an essential additional step.

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

Germany to Sierra Leone route verified

Confirmed visa required for German ordinary passport holders; eVisa is the recommended channel (evisa.sl), with visa on arrival available to EU nationals. Verified against official eVisa portal and Sierra Leone visa policy sources.

/09 — The questions