Home/from/United Kingdom/to/Sierra Leone

🇬🇧United Kingdom

🇸🇱Sierra LeoneGB-SL

United Kingdom to Sierra Leone visa requirements

Q: Should I get an eVisa or a visa-on-arrival?

The eVisa is recommended because your approval is confirmed before you fly, avoiding airport queues and the need to carry cash. Both cost US$80 and allow 30 days.

Q: How much does the Sierra Leone visa cost for UK travelers?

US$80 for either the eVisa or visa-on-arrival. Add a US$25 Airport Security Fee charged on arrival and departure.

Q: How long can I stay and how many entries do I get?

The standard tourist eVisa is single entry, allowing a stay of up to 30 days, and is valid for 90 days from the date of issue.

Q: Do I need a yellow fever vaccination?

Yes. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is mandatory and is checked at the point of entry into Sierra Leone.

Q: What passport validity do I need?

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your visa application date and should have at least one blank page.

UK ordinary passport holders need a visa to enter Sierra Leone. The recommended route is the official eVisa applied for online before travel; a visa-on-arrival (US$80, cash) is also available at Lungi International Airport. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is mandatory for entry. A United Kingdom ordinary passport holder is NOT visa-free for Sierra Leone and must hold a valid visa to enter for tourism. Two routes exist: (1) an official eVisa obtained online via evisa.sl before departure, and (2) a visa-on-arrival paid in cash US dollars at the airport. Both grant a short stay of up to 30 days on a single-entry visa that remains valid for 90 days from issue. The eVisa is the recommended, lower-risk option because approval is confirmed before you fly and it avoids airport queues and cash-handling issues. Passports must have at least six months validity beyond the visa application date and at least one blank page. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is compulsory and checked at the border, and an Airport Security Fee of US$25 applies on arrival and departure. This information is confirmed by UK GOV.UK foreign travel advice and the Sierra Leone Immigration Department official eVisa portal as of 2026-05-30. There is no visa-waiver or visa-free arrangement between the UK and Sierra Leone for ordinary passports.

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.

Policy alertWatch this route for rule changesSave this passport and destination for email summaries and optional browser notifications.Subscribe →United Kingdom (ILR)Living in United Kingdom as a permanent resident? See PR-specific guidance→

/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-05-30

Visa type

eVisa (single entry) - visa-on-arrival also available

Maximum stay

Up to 30 days

per entry

Entries

Single entry

from issue date

Visa fee

US$80 (eVisa or visa-on-arrival)

consular fee only

Processing time

Approximately 3 business days for eVisa

standard track

Validity

90 days from issue

from issue date

/02 — The process

How to apply

/01

Confirm passport validity and documents

Ensure your UK passport is valid for at least 6 months beyond your visa application date and has a blank page. Get a yellow fever vaccination and keep the certificate.

· 6 months validity· Yellow fever certificate

/02

Open the official eVisa portal

Go to evisa.sl, the Sierra Leone Immigration Department's official eVisa site. Avoid third-party agents that charge inflated fees.

· evisa.sl· Official only

/03

Complete the online application

Create an account, fill in personal and travel details, and select a single-entry tourist/visit eVisa for up to 30 days.

· Single entry· Tourist visit

/04

Upload supporting documents

Upload a passport bio-page scan, a recent white-background passport photo, proof of accommodation, and a return/onward ticket.

· Photo· Hotel booking· Return ticket

/05

Pay the visa fee and submit

Pay the US$80 fee through the portal's approved payment channel and submit. Processing typically takes around 3 business days.

· US$80· ~3 business days

/06

Travel with your approval and pay airport fees

Print or save the eVisa approval, present it with your passport and yellow fever certificate on arrival, and pay the US$25 Airport Security Fee.

· Print eVisa· US$25 airport fee

/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

12 items

Personalized checklist

United Kingdom -> Sierra Leone · eVisa (single entry) - visa-on-arrival also available

0 / 12 complete

Visa typeTravel date

Deadline reminderAdd a date before export

RequiredUK passport valid 6+ months beyond visa application date

Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route

required

RequiredAt least one blank passport page

Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route

required

RequiredApproved eVisa printout or visa-on-arrival arranged

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

required

RequiredYellow fever vaccination certificate

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

required

RequiredRecent passport-size photo (white background)

Use the official size, background, and recency rules for this route

required

RequiredConfirmed return or onward ticket

Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates

required

RequiredProof of accommodation (hotel booking or invitation letter)

Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates

required

RequiredFunds for US$25 Airport Security Fee on arrival and departure

Bank, income, or asset proof with clear name, date, and balances

required

RecommendedUS dollars cash if using visa-on-arrival (US$80)

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

recommended

RecommendedTravel/medical insurance

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

recommended

RequiredOfficial application form or online application

Official form; submit online or print and sign as instructed

Use the current form from the official or designated application channel.

RequiredFlight and hotel itinerary

Confirmed or agency-arranged itinerary when the route guide requires it

Use dates that fit the allowed stay and visa validity.

Official sourcesGOV.UK - Sierra Leone travel advice: Entry requirements Sierra Leone Immigration Department - Official eVisa portal Sierra Leone Immigration Department (SLID)

Application link included: Sierra Leone Immigration Department - Official eVisa portal

Open link

/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate

Line itemAmountSource

eVisa fee (single entry)US$80Paid online via the official evisa.sl portal

Visa-on-arrival feeUS$80Paid in cash US dollars at Lungi International Airport

Airport Security FeeUS$25Payable on both arrival and departure (online, mobile money, or bank)

Total estimateUS$105 — US$130incl. all

/05 — The wait

Processing time

eVisa (online, before travel)

~3 business days

Apply via evisa.sl and receive electronic approval before you fly; lowest risk and recommended.

Visa-on-arrival

At the border

Pay US$80 in cash US dollars at Lungi International Airport on arrival; convenient but depends on airport processing and cash availability.

/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency

/01

No UK-Sierra Leone visa waiver

There is no visa-free or visa-waiver arrangement for UK ordinary passport holders; a visa is required for all visits.

High

/02

Missing yellow fever certificate

A yellow fever vaccination certificate is mandatory and checked at entry; travelers without one can be refused.

Medium

/03

Insufficient passport validity

Passports must be valid 6 months beyond the visa application date with a blank page; otherwise entry is denied.

Medium

/04

No onward ticket or accommodation proof

Immigration may require proof of return travel and a place to stay; failure can delay or block entry.

Low

/05

Using unofficial visa agents

Third-party sites charge inflated fees and can submit faulty applications; always use evisa.sl.

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

United Kingdom to Sierra Leone route verified

Confirmed via GOV.UK travel advice and the Sierra Leone Immigration Department eVisa portal that UK ordinary passport holders require a visa; eVisa (US$80, ~3 days, 30-day single entry) is recommended, with visa-on-arrival (US$80 cash) also available. Yellow fever certificate mandatory.

/09 — The questions