PassportSouth Africa

Trip checklist: Sierra Leone

For South African passport holders. Last checked 5 October 2026.

Visa requirement

South Africans can get a visa on arrival in Sierra Leone.

Permitted stay

You can stay up to 30 days per visit, and you can apply to extend.

Before you go

  • Purpose of visit

    Visitors only: tourism, business and family visits. Employment or study needs a visa from an embassy.

  • Passport validity

    At least 6 months after the date of your visa application (UK advice).

  • How to apply

    Apply and pay online at evisa.sl before travel. Fee: USD 25 for African Union nationals, South Africans included (non-AU nationals pay USD 80). Bring the passport you applied with. Collect the visa at Freetown International Airport (Lungi), Jendema (Liberia border) or Gbalamuya (Guinea border). Processing time not published.

  • Where South Africans apply

    Online at evisa.sl, then on arrival. No need to visit an embassy.

  • Vaccinations, including yellow fever on return to South Africa

    SIERRA LEONE: A yellow fever certificate is required to enter, whatever country you arrive from (UK advice). SOUTH AFRICA: Sierra Leone is on South Africa's yellow fever risk list. Everyone over 1 year old, South Africans included, returning to South Africa from Sierra Leone, or after an airport transit of more than 12 hours there, must show a valid yellow fever certificate on arrival in South Africa. Get vaccinated at least 10 days before travel; the certificate is valid for life.

  • Arrival forms

    All travellers entering or leaving must complete a health declaration on the Sierra Leone Health Travel Portal within 72 hours before travel (UK advice).

  • Extending your stay and overstaying

    The one-month visa on arrival can be extended at the Immigration Department.

  • Confirm with the embassy

    Rules change. Check the official source before you book.

Where to apply

Research sources

  1. 1. Sierra Leone Immigration eVisa website (Official, evisa.sl) https://evisa.sl/
  2. 2. Sierra Leone Immigration Department (Official, slid.gov.sl) https://slid.gov.sl/visa-on-arrival/
  3. 3. UK FCDO (Other government, gov.uk) https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/sierra-leone/entry-requirements
  4. 4. DIRCO, South African High Commission Canberra (Other government, dirco.gov.za) https://dirco.gov.za/canberra/yellow-fever/

From doineedavisa.co.za/sierra-leone. Always confirm with the embassy before you travel.