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Do France passport holders need a visa to visit SL?

French ordinary passport holders need a visa for Sierra Leone. The recommended route is the official eVisa, applied for online before travel. France is not on Sierra Leone's visa-exempt list, so a French citizen needs a visa for a tourist visit. The recommended and most reliable option is Sierra Leone's official eVisa (launched March 2019, run by the Sierra Leone Immigration Department), applied for and paid online before departure. While Sierra Leone also offers visa-on-arrival to EU nationals at designated entry points (Freetown/Lungi airport and the Jendema and Gbalamuya land borders) for about USD 80, this channel is not recommended as the primary plan because airlines may refuse boarding to passengers without a pre-issued visa or eVisa approval. A traditional embassy visa is also available via the Sierra Leone Embassy in Brussels, which covers France. The eVisa is single-entry, permits a stay of up to 30 days, and the approval is valid for entry within 90 days of issue. A passport valid at least 6 months and a yellow fever vaccination certificate are mandatory. Apply only through the official portal (evisa.sl) to avoid third-party surcharges. Sierra Leone is not in the Schengen area, so the 90/180 rule and ETIAS do not apply.
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.
France (PR)Living in France as a permanent resident? See PR-specific guidance
/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-05-30
Visa type
eVisa (electronic visa) – single entry; visa-on-arrival available to EU nationals at designated ports as a fallback
Maximum stay
Up to 30 days
per entry
Entries
Single entry
from issue date
Visa fee
USD 80 (official eVisa / visa-on-arrival fee; agencies charge ~USD 100+)
consular fee only
Processing time
About 3 business days (official portal)
standard track
Validity
Enter within 90 days of issue; 30-day stay
from issue date
/02 — The process

How to apply

/01
Confirm you need a visa
As a French ordinary passport holder you are not visa-exempt for Sierra Leone. Plan to obtain an eVisa online before you fly rather than relying on visa-on-arrival.
· Visa required· Apply before travel
/02
Gather your documents
Prepare a passport valid at least 6 months beyond entry, a recent white-background passport photo, a return/onward ticket, proof of accommodation, and your yellow fever vaccination certificate.
· 6-month passport· Yellow fever certificate
/03
Apply on the official eVisa portal
Complete the application at the official Sierra Leone Immigration eVisa site (evisa.sl). Avoid unofficial sites that add surcharges.
· evisa.sl· Official portal only
/04
Pay the visa fee online
Pay the USD 80 eVisa fee by card. An application ID is issued after payment and approval.
· USD 80· Card payment
/05
Receive approval and print it
Processing takes about 3 business days. Print the approval/eVisa confirmation to present on arrival in Sierra Leone.
· ~3 business days· Print confirmation
/06
Enter Sierra Leone
Present your passport, printed eVisa approval and yellow fever certificate at Freetown (Lungi) International Airport or a designated land border within 90 days of issue.
· Within 90 days· Carry yellow fever proof
/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

9 items
Personalized checklist
0 / 9 complete
Passport valid at least 6 months beyond entry with a blank page
required
Approved eVisa / visa confirmation (printed)
required
Yellow fever vaccination certificate
required
Recent passport-size photo, white background
required
Return or onward travel ticket
required
Proof of accommodation (hotel booking or invitation letter)
required
Proof of sufficient funds for the stay
recommended
Travel/medical insurance
recommended
Cash in USD for any on-arrival fees if using visa-on-arrival fallback
optional
Track your progress · save & email a copy
/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate
Line itemAmountSource
eVisa fee (official)USD 80Single-entry tourist eVisa via evisa.sl
Visa-on-arrival feeUSD 80EU nationals at designated entry points; not recommended as primary plan
Agency/facilitation service~USD 100+Optional third-party processing; higher than official fee
Total estimateUSD 80USD 110incl. all
/05 — The wait

Processing time

Embassy visa (Brussels, covers France)
~1-2 weeks
Traditional sticker visa via the Sierra Leone Embassy in Belgium
Visa on arrival
At the border
Available to EU nationals for USD 80, but airlines may deny boarding without a pre-issued visa
/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency
/01
France is not visa-exempt for Sierra Leone
French nationals are not on Sierra Leone's visa-waiver list and must hold a visa for tourism.
High
/02
eVisa is the official, recommended channel
Sierra Leone's eVisa system (since 2019) lets travelers obtain and pay for the visa online before departure, reducing boarding and entry problems.
High
/03
Visa-on-arrival carries boarding risk
Although EU nationals can get a USD 80 visa on arrival, airlines may refuse boarding without proof of a pre-arranged visa.
Medium
/04
Yellow fever certificate is mandatory
Sierra Leone requires proof of yellow fever vaccination for entry.
High
/05
Short single-entry stay only
The eVisa allows a single entry and up to 30 days; longer or multiple visits need a different/embassy visa.
Low
/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
France to Sierra Leone route verified
Confirmed against France-Visas, the official Sierra Leone eVisa portal and France Diplomatie: French passport holders need a visa; eVisa is the recommended route (USD 80, 30-day single-entry stay), with EU visa-on-arrival as a fallback.
/09 — The questions

Frequently asked

Can a French citizen get a visa on arrival in Sierra Leone?
Yes, EU nationals can obtain a visa on arrival for about USD 80 at Freetown airport and designated land borders, but it is not recommended as your main plan because airlines may deny boarding without a pre-issued eVisa or visa.
How much does the Sierra Leone eVisa cost?+
How long can I stay with the eVisa?+
Do I need a yellow fever vaccination?+
Where do I apply for the eVisa?+
Is Sierra Leone in the Schengen area?+
/11 — Passport tools

Tools for the France passport

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