Going to Sierra Leone for leisure or visiting family or frineds and need to know the latest Sierra Leonean tourist visa requirements, Sierra Leonean tourist visa processing time or need to make a Sierra Leone visa appointment? Browse this Sierra Leone visa website to learn more.
Sierra Leone Visa Types
There are several types of Sierra Leonean visas available and the visa type for Sierra Leone you need to apply depends on the purpose of your trip to Sierra Leone.
Finding out what type of Sierra Leone visa you need to apply for is actually a pretty easy process. You can apply for Sierra Leonean visa if you are traveling for one of the following purposes:
- Sierra Leonean Tourist Visa - Sierra Leone visa is issued to foreigners that wish to visit Sierra Leone, for a shorter period like 30 days within a 3-month period
- Sierra Leonean Visitor Visa - Make it possible for non-Sierra Leonean family members and friends that live outside of Sierra Leone to come to Sierra Leone and meet their parents, children, spouse or friends.
- Sierra Leonean Business Visa - To participate in business related activities including attending or conducting meetings or conferences or training, installing equipment or performing other temporary services for a client, local affiliate or branch office in Sierra Leone.
- Sierra Leonean Transit Visa - To transit through the airport or port in Sierra Leone
Other Sierra Leonean Visa Types
There are other types of Sierra Leonean visas available for non-Sierra Leonean citizens to apply:
- Student Visa
- Journalist Visa
- Retirement Visa
- Permantent Resident Visa
- Work Visa
- Official Visit Visa
- Cultural, Film Crew & Sports Visa
- Merchant Seaman Visa
Sierra Leonean Entry Visa Types
Single Entry visa for Sierra Leone: A single-entry visa allows its holder to enter Sierra Leone only once, within the given period of time, as mentioned in the visa sticker affixed to their passport. Once the visa holder exits the territory of Sierra Leone or visa region associated with Sierra Leone, he or she can no longer go back, even if they have not spend in Sierra Leone the number of days as permitted by the embassy that issued them the visa.
Double Entry visa for Sierra Leone: In general, a double-entry visa applies the same way as the single-entry visa explained above. The sole difference between a single-entry and a double-entry visa is that the second gives you the chance to go once more back to Sierra Leone
Multiple Entry visa for Sierra Leone: This type of visa allows the holder of the visa to enter Sierra Leone mutiple times with visa validity period.
Steps to Applying for Sierra Leonean visa To apply for a Sierra Leonean visa follow the steps given below:
- Check if you need to apply for a Sierra Leonean Visa.
- Know when is the right time to apply!
- Figure out what type of Sierra Leonean visa you need.
- Find out where you should lodge your application.
- Fill in the right Sierra Leonean visa form.
- Collect the documents required for Sierra Leonean visa.
- Make a visa appointment.
- Attend the visa interview.
- Submit your biometrics.
- Pay the visa fee.
Please Note: Please consult Sierra Leonean embassy in your country as visa regulations for Sierra Leone can and often change overnight. In individual cases, additional documents required for Sierra Leonean visa. We accept no responsibility as we have no affiliation with the embassy of Sierra Leone or their visa section.
Going for a visa interview at the embassy? The visa officer at the Sierra Leonean consulate will look over your application and ask you questions if they wish to clarify anything. It is best to answer these questions honestly.
Typical questions asked at the Sierra Leone visa interview include:
- What is your purpose of your trip to Sierra Leone?
- Do you know anyone living in Sierra Leone?
- What is your current occupation?
- How long have you been in your current occupation?
- If you are a student, when will the studies finsh?
- How will you suuport yourself whilst in Sierra Leone?
- Have you ever travelled to other countries?
- Who will pay for your trip to Sierra Leone?
- What are your plans when you return from your trip?
- What will you do if your visa application is rejected?
- What is your marital status?
- Will you be involved in business in Sierra Leone?
Common reasons why your Sierra Leonean visa application got rejected include:
- Lack of funds – you must be able to afford your trip Sierra Leone and you must provide documents to show that you can.
- Proof of accommodation not provided – you must be able to show where you will be staying in Sierra Leone and you can easily do this by providing a hotel reservation in Sierra Leone.
- The visa officer thinks you will not return to your home country – you must make it clear that you intend to leave Sierra Leone and return to your home country before the expiry of your visa. You can do this by providing documents that show you have ties where you live, such as an employment letter or proof that you own your home etc.
- No proof of residence – you must be able to prove that you can live in the country of your residence legally, so you must provide proof of residence.