Sierra Leone visa options for Canada passport holders

Visa types & longer-stay routes for Sierra Leone

Rules are written for non-ECOWAS foreign nationals; ECOWAS-state citizens enter visa-free for up to 90 days, and some nationalities qualify for free or reduced-fee visa on arrival.

• Tourist

  Tourist e-Visa (short-stay)

  Up to 30 days per entry; the e-visa is typically valid for 90 days from issuance (verify).

  Insurance

  Recommendednot a stated visa condition, but reputable sources strongly advise travel/medical insurance including medical evacuation given limited local healthcare.

  Good for

  Non-ECOWAS visitors travelling for tourism who want to arrange a visa online before arrival.

  Requirement

  Online application via the official portal (evisa.sl) with passport valid 6+ months and 2 blank pages; single-entry; fee varies by nationality (approx. USD 80-100, verify). Yellow fever vaccination certificate mandatory on entry.

• Tourist

  Visa on Arrival (tourism/business/religious)

  Single-entry, valid 1 month; extendable after arrival (verify).

  Insurance

  Recommendedsources advise medical/travel insurance with evacuation cover; not a formal visa requirement.

  Good for

  Eligible nationalities arriving for tourism, business or religious activities at Freetown airport or the Gbalamuya (Guinea) / Jendema (Liberia) land borders.

  Requirement

  Issued only at designated entry points; standard fee approx. USD 80 (free or ~USD 25 for some African Union nationals, verify). Not available for work, study or diplomatic purposes. Yellow fever certificate required.

• Business

  Business Visa

  Short-stay; e-visa/visa-on-arrival single entry typically 30 days / 1 month (multiple-entry available via missions or facilitation, verify).

  Insurance

  Recommendedtravel/medical insurance with evacuation cover advised; not a stated condition.

  Good for

  Foreign nationals visiting for meetings, negotiations or exploring investment (not taking up employment).

  Requirement

  Valid passport and online e-visa or eligible visa on arrival; does not permit paid employment. Yellow fever certificate required.

• Work

  Work Permit (employment)

  Typically 1 year, renewable annually (verify).

  Insurance

  OptionalNot required - no stated insurance mandate; a medical examination is required and private health cover is advisable. Verify.

  Good for

  Non-citizens taking up employment in Sierra Leone; visas on arrival are not permitted for work, so an entry visa must be arranged in advance through a mission.

  Requirement

  Job offer from a registered employer plus a work permit from the Work Permit Bureau (Ministry of Labour), applied via the Unified Permit portal (unifiedpermit.gov.sl); medical/health examination clearance and clean criminal record generally required. Usually paired with a residence permit.

• Study

  Study route (visa + permit)

  Tied to the residence permit, typically 1 year renewable (verify - no separate published student e-visa category found).

  Insurance

  Recommendedno stated mandate, but private medical cover advisable. Verify.

  Good for

  Foreign nationals coming to study; study is excluded from visa on arrival, so an entry visa must be arranged in advance and a residence permit obtained for stays over 90 days.

  Requirement

  Entry visa from a Sierra Leonean mission, plus residence permit via the Unified Permit portal once stay exceeds 90 days; admission documents, medical and police clearance generally required. Yellow fever certificate required.

• Residence

  Residence Permit (long-stay)

  Typically 1 year, must be renewed annually (verify).

  Insurance

  OptionalNot required - no stated insurance mandate; medical report required and private cover advisable. Verify.

  Good for

  Foreign nationals (including ECOWAS citizens) residing, working, studying or investing in Sierra Leone for more than 90 days.

  Requirement

  Application via the Unified Permit portal (unifiedpermit.gov.sl) to the Immigration Department; supporting documents include passport, medical report and police clearance. Working without a valid resident permit is an offence.

• Residence

  Permanent Residence

  Indefinite (no renewal once granted), per immigration-guide sources (verify with the Immigration Department).

  Insurance

  OptionalNot required - no stated insurance mandate. Verify.

  Good for

  Foreign nationals after several years of continuous lawful residence and stable employment seeking indefinite settlement.

  Requirement

  Extended period of legal residence, stable employment, integration and a clean record; documentation including passport, medical and police clearance. Exact qualifying period not officially published - verify.

• Transit

  Transit

  Short transit period (verify - no distinct published transit-visa duration found).

  Insurance

  Recommendedtravel/medical insurance advisable; not a stated condition.

  Good for

  Travellers passing through Sierra Leone en route to another destination.

  Requirement

  Onward travel documentation; visa-exempt nationals and e-visa/visa-on-arrival holders transit under those rules. Confirm exact transit-visa rules with the Immigration Department. Yellow fever certificate required.

General guidance compiled from official and reputable sources; fees, durations and entry rules change often, so verify with the Sierra Leone Immigration Department (slid.gov.sl) or a Sierra Leonean mission before travel. Last checked: 2026-06.

Last verified June 2026

Canada → Sierra Leone: frequently asked

Do Canada passport holders need a visa to visit Sierra Leone?

Visa on arrival. Get the visa at the border on entry. Always confirm with the official source before booking.

Can a Canada passport holder live or work long-term in Sierra Leone?

Yes, via a long-stay visa. Sierra Leone has 8 documented visa types covering work, study, residence and — where it exists — digital-nomad routes.

Do I need travel insurance for Sierra Leone?

Entry to Sierra Leone never includes health cover, so travel medical insurance is strongly recommended.