program
Sierra Leone Citizenship by InvestmentNew
New
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Citizenship Enquiry
Program Overview
Minimum Investment
$140,000 Economic Contribution
Minimum Investment
N/A Real Estate
Time to Citizenship
2–3 months
Visa-free Access
90+ Countries & Territories
Sierra Leone Citizenship by Investment Requirements
In 2025, Sierra Leone formally introduced the GO-FOR-GOLD (GFG) Special Naturalization Program, establishing a structured pathway that links citizenship and permanent residency to verified economic participation.
Rather than a passive donation model, applicants make a regulated economic contribution aligned with Sierra Leone’s foreign direct investment priorities.
Participation may include gold-backed mechanisms, company incorporation, and capital deployment within approved sectors of the local economy.
The program operates under Section 27(a) of the Sierra Leone Citizenship Act 1973, which authorizes the President to grant citizenship by exception to individuals whose participation is deemed to serve the national interest.
Through this framework, applicants obtain Sierra Leonean citizenship while participating in economic activity that supports employment, private-sector growth, and long-term national development.
Main Applicant Requirements
- 18+ years of age
- Good health
- No criminal record
- Successfully pass due diligence checks
- Confirmed investment sources
Eligible Dependents
- Spouse of the main applicant
- Children under 18 years of age
- Parents
- Grandparents
Special Dependents
- Adult children
- Siblings under 30
- Spouses of siblings
- Last remaining relative
Business Partner
- One adult business partner or co-investor may be included under the +1 Business Partner option
Sierra Leone Citizenship by Investment Benefits
Full Citizenship
Applicants obtain Sierra Leonean citizenship through Special Naturalization, with all rights of a Sierra Leonean national.
Regional Mobility
Citizens benefit from freedom of movement, residence, and trade across all 15 ECOWAS member states, with 90+ visa-free access abroad.
Guaranteed by Law
Citizenship is granted under Section 27(a) of the Sierra Leone Citizenship Act 1973 and administered by the Sierra Leone Immigration Department under its Special Naturalization arrangements.
Fast and Predictable Process
Citizenship approval and document issuance are typically completed within 60–90 days from submission
No Residency Requirements
There is no requirement to visit or reside in Sierra Leone before or after citizenship is granted.
Inclusive Family Policy
Main applicants may include spouse(s), children, siblings under 30, spouses of siblings, parents, grandparents, and a last remaining relative, subject to program rules.
+1 Business Partner Option
One adult co-investor may be included under the +1 Business Partner incentive, without proof of an existing partnership.
Business and Banking Access
Approved applicants receive a locally incorporated Sierra Leone company and access to a corporate bank account, enabling immediate economic participation.
SIERRA LEONE | Citizenship by Investment
Legal Basis in Sierra Leone
The Sierra Leone GO-FOR-GOLD Special Naturalization Program operates under the Sierra Leone Citizenship Act 1973. Section 27(a) of the Act grants the President of Sierra Leone the authority to confer citizenship by exception on individuals whose contribution serves the national interest. The Sierra Leone Immigration Department administers the program under its Special Naturalization arrangements and oversees eligibility, due diligence, and approval procedures. Applicants who meet the program requirements and complete the approved economic contribution qualify for Sierra Leonean citizenship through Special Naturalization, formalized through a Certificate of Naturalization and passport issuance. The Sierra Leone Immigration Department confirmed the validity of this framework, including on 21 October 2025, pending final legislative codification. This legal structure provides applicants with a lawful, recorded, and internationally recognized pathway to Sierra Leonean citizenship.
Costs of Sierra Leone Citizenship by Investment
Contribution Amount
$140,000
Submission Fee
$5,000
Contribution Amount
$30,000
Submission Fee
$5,000
Contribution Per Partner
$85,000
Submission Fee (Per Partner)
$5,000
Spouse(s)
$10,000
Children under 18
$10,000
Parents
$10,000
Grandparents
$10,000
Adult children
$20,000
Siblings under 30
$20,000
Spouse of sibling
$20,000
Last remaining relative
$20,000
Certificate of Naturalization (per applicant)
$250
Passport issuance (per applicant)
$350
National ID (per applicant)
$150
Main applicant
$8,500
Spouse
$5,000
Dependents aged 18 and over
$4,000
Dependents aged 12–17
$2,000
Families of up to 5 persons
$5,000
Families of 6–10 persons
$10,000
Each additional person beyond 10
$900
Application Process For Sierra Leone Citizenship by Investment
Application Process
2-3 months
- Step 1Savory & Partners conducts an initial pre-screening of your profile and documents. A submission fee is paid to open the application and begin compliance checks.
- Step 2Our team assists with the collection and preparation of all required documents, following the official government checklist. Once complete, the application is submitted through the digital application platform.
- Step 3Independent due diligence is carried out, and the application is reviewed by the Sierra Leone Immigration Department. Where required, declarations and the Oath of Allegiance are completed digitally.
- Step 4Upon approval, a Letter of Approval is issued by the Chief Immigration Officer. At this stage, the approved economic contribution is confirmed and released from escrow.
- Step 5The Certificate of Naturalization and Sierra Leone passport are issued following Presidential confirmation. All citizenship documents are prepared for delivery.
- Step 6Passports, certificates, and official documents are securely delivered to the applicant through Savory & Partners.
PORTUGAL | RESIDENCY BY INVESTMENT
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Visa-free Countries for Sierra Leone Citizenship by Investment
VISA-FREE, VISA-ON-ARRIVAL, and EVISA countries
90+ Countries & Territories
Visa-free access (40 countries & territories)
- Bahamas
- Bangladesh
- Barbados
- Belize
- Benin
- Botswana
- Burkina Faso
- Cape Verde
- Côte d’Ivoire
- Dominica
- Eswatini
- Fiji
- Gambia
- Ghana
- Grenada
- Guinea
- Guinea-Bissau
- Haiti
- Jamaica
- Kenya
- Kiribati
- Lesotho
- Liberia
- Malawi
- Malaysia
- Mali
- Mauritius
- Micronesia
- Niger
- Nigeria
- Samoa
- Senegal
- Seychelles
- Singapore
- St Kitts & Nevis
- St Vincent & the Grenadines
- Togo
- Trinidad & Tobago
- Uganda
- Vanuatu
Visa on arrival (19 countries & territories)
- Bolivia
- Burundi
- Cambodia
- Comoros
- Djibouti
- Ethiopia
- Iran
- Macao
- Madagascar
- Maldives
- Mauritania
- Mozambiqu
- Namibia
- Nepal
- Palau
- St Lucia
- Sri Lanka
- Timor-Leste
- Tuvalu
eVisa access (52 countries and territories)
- Albania
- Antigua & Barbuda
- Australia
- Bahrain
- Bhutan
- Bolivia
- Cambodia
- Cameroon
- Chad
- Colombia
- Congo (Kinshasa)
- Djibouti
- Ecuador
- El Salvador
- Equatorial Guinea
- Gabon
- Georgia
- Hong Kong
- India
- Iran
- Iraq
- Kazakhstan
- Kyrgyzstan
- Libya
- Madagascar
- Maldives
- Mauritania
- Moldova
- Mongolia
- Mozambique
- Namibia
- Nepal
- Oman
- Pakistan
- Palau
- Papua New Guinea
- Qatar
- Somalia
- South Sudan
- Sri Lanka
- São Tomé &Príncipe
- Syria
- Tajikistan
- Tanzania
- Thailand
- Timor-Leste
- Tuvalu
- United Arab Emirates
- Vietnam
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
- Guyana
Visa required (99 countries and territories)
- Afghanistan
- Algeria
- Andorra
- Angola
- Argentina
- Armenia
- Austria
- Azerbaijan
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Bosnia & Herzegovina
- Brazil
- Brunei
- Bulgaria
- Canada
- Central African Republic
- Chile
- China
- Congo (Brazzaville)
- Costa Rica
- Croatia
- Cuba
- Cyprus
- Czechia
- Denmark
- Dominican Republic
- Egypt
- Eritrea
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Guatemala
- Honduras
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Indonesia
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Japan
- Jordan
- Kuwait
- Laos
- Latvia
- Lebanon
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Marshall Islands
- Mexico
- Monaco
- Montenegro
- Morocco
- Myanmar
- Nauru
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Nicaragua
- North Korea
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Palestinian Territories
- Panama
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Philippines
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Russia
- San Marino
- Saudi Arabia
- Serbia
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Solomon Islands
- South Africa
- South Korea
- Spain
- Sudan
- Suriname
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Taiwan
- Tonga
- Tunisia
- Turkey
- Turkmenistan
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
- United States
- Uruguay
- Uzbekistan
- Vatican City
- Venezuela
- Yemen
Download brochure
Content
- Sierra Leone Country profile
- Benefits of the program
- Investment requirements
- Investment process
Length
4 pages
Language
English & Arabic
size
1 mb
ABOUT SIERRA LEONE
CAPITAL
Freetown
TOTAL AREA
71,740 km²
POPULATION
8.9 million
LANGUAGE(S)
English
CURRENCY
Sierra Leonean Leone (SLL)
EXCHANGE RATE
1 USD = 22,000 SLL
GDP – PER CAPITA (2025)
$500
GDP – TOTAL (2025)
$4.1 billion
About Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone is a West African country along the Atlantic Ocean, bordered by Guinea to the north and east and Liberia to the southeast.
The country holds substantial natural resources, including gold, diamonds, rutile, and bauxite, alongside fertile agricultural land and offshore fishing zones that support export-oriented sectors.
Freetown, the capital city, hosts one of the largest natural deep-water harbours in Africa and serves as the country’s administrative, commercial, and maritime centre.
Since the end of its civil conflict, Sierra Leone has maintained continuous democratic governance, conducted regular national elections, and strengthened institutional and regulatory frameworks.
The economy relies on mining, agriculture, fisheries, tourism, and renewable energy, with the government actively supporting foreign direct investment and private-sector participation.
Sierra Leone holds membership in ECOWAS, the African Union, the Commonwealth, the United Nations, and the World Bank, reinforcing its integration into regional and international systems.
Through ongoing infrastructure development, regulatory reforms, and investment-led initiatives, Sierra Leone continues to expand opportunities for long-term economic participation.
Where is Sierra Leone?
Sierra Leone is located in West Africa, along the Atlantic Ocean. It borders Guinea to the north and east and Liberia to the southeast.
The country lies within the Upper Guinea coastal region, close to major Atlantic shipping routes, with direct maritime access to Europe, West Africa, and the Americas.
SIERRA LEONE | Citizenship by Investment
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