Immigration
Immigration Act 2000 as amended, with ECOWAS free movement and work permit quotas
Entry and residence are governed by the Immigration Act and administered by the Immigration Department. Non-ECOWAS nationals require visas, obtainable on arrival or through the electronic system, and foreign employees require work permits from the Ministry of Labour. ECOWAS nationals enter visa-free for 90 days.
Key rules
- Jurisdiction — Immigration Department under the Ministry of Internal Affairs; Ministry of Employment and Labour for work permits.
- Deadline — Work permits are typically issued for one year and renewable
- Deadline — ECOWAS nationals may remain 90 days without a residence permit
Governing law
- Immigration Act 2000 as amended
- Non-Citizens (Registration, Immigration and Expulsion) ActCap 75
- ECOWAS Protocol relating to Free Movement of Persons 1979
- Sierra Leone Citizenship Act 1973 as amended
In practice
Sierra Leone applies the ECOWAS free movement regime, so the visa requirement described here bites only on non-community nationals, who may obtain visas in advance or through the electronic visa system introduced to support tourism and investment. Employment of a foreign national requires a work permit from the Ministry of Employment and Labour, and permits are assessed against the availability of Sierra Leonean labour; the Local Content Agency Act 2016 reinforces preference for nationals in specified sectors. Citizenship law retains a descent requirement that has attracted criticism: the Citizenship Act 1973 conferred citizenship by descent through the paternal line of persons of 'Negro African descent', and although the 2006 amendment permitted transmission through the mother, the racial descent qualification remains, and dual citizenship is permitted subject to conditions on holding public office.