Sierra Leone Becomes "Visa On Arrival" Country→

Except for ECOWAS nationals who are already on Visa-free movement

By Sylvester Samba

Dr. Memunatu Pratt, Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affair

Effective Thursday 5th September 2019, the West African country, Sierra Leone, has through its Immigration Department and Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs introduced a new "Visa On Arrivals Policy" which now allows visitors from different countries to travel to Sierra Leone where they can get their respective Visas on arrival at a minimum cost of US $28 for African countries and US $80 for other countries in the world. Sierra Leone Becomes "Visa On Arrival" Country.

Except for ECOWAS nationals who are already on Visa-free movement, the new Visa on Arrival policy was rolled-out for travelers from the following countries or block: United Kingdom, European Union, United States, Commonwealth countries, Gulf Cooperation Council member countries (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and Oman), BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa), Iran, Cambodia, Vietnam, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Turkey, Japan, South Korea, Norway, Israel, Bolivia, East Timor, Macau, Samoa, Tuvalu.

Sierra Leone's Chief Immigration Officer, Mr. Andrew Jaiah KaiKai said countries not listed are required to visit the nearest Sierra Leone Embassy or Mission abroad to secure visas before visiting Sierra Leone.

“All persons coming to Sierra Leone for the purpose other than tourism, visit or business needs to apply for a visa before undertaken such travel...We wish to reassure all potential visitors of a continuing hassle-free visa processing experience”

— Sierra Leone's Chief Immigration Officer, Mr. Andrew Jaiah KaiKai

Speaking to journalists in the capital of Freetown, the Chief Immigration Officer maintained that the decision for the introduction of this new policy is part of government's commitment to promote tourism and attract foreign direct investment in Sierra Leone. A notice has already been put out to the public and correspondence sent to airline operators, Sierra Leone Embassies and Missions overseas, International Air Transport Association (IATA), International partners and other government bodies.

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Sierra Leone's Chief Immigration Officer, Andrew Jaiah Kaikai

Mr. Kaikai assured Sierra Leoneans that the Visa on Arrival policy will not compromise the country's security, adding that his government together with the relevant stakeholders such as the Office of the National Security (ONS), International Police Organization (INTERPOL), and the Immigration Department will profile visitors to make sure that they do not have a questionable character before entering the country.

As potential visitors were struggling with our embassies abroad to receive a Visa to Sierra Leone, such bold step by the government to introduce this new policy will help the country to be very close to the rest of the world, said the Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Memunatu Pratt.

Dr. Pratt noted this is a step in the right direction, given that the country's tourism sector has been in crisis over the years. She added that the non-availability of Sierra Leonean foreign missions in most of the world has proved very challenging for people who want to visit the country, but the introduction of the Visa on Arrival policy will allow visitors to jet in and have Visa right at the Freetown International Airport.

The Minister said they are again planning to take another giant step to meet with Board of Airlines operating in the country and Hotel Owners' Association to drop down the prices for airline tickets and hotels which, she noted, are quite expensive and posed a challenge for tourists to visit Sierra Leone.

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