🇬🇧UNITED KINGDOM

🏳SLGB-SL

Do United Kingdom passport holders need a visa to visit SL?

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.

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

10 items

Personalized checklist

0 / 10 complete

UK passport valid 6+ months beyond visa application date

required

At least one blank passport page

required

Approved eVisa printout or visa-on-arrival arranged

required

Yellow fever vaccination certificate

required

Recent passport-size photo (white background)

required

Confirmed return or onward ticket

required

Proof of accommodation (hotel booking or invitation letter)

required

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

required

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

recommended

Travel/medical insurance

recommended

Track your progress · save & email a copy

/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