# Sierra Leone

Source: https://www.savoryandpartners.com/programs/citizenship-by-investment/sierra-leone · Updated: 2026-10-09

Learn more about Sierra Leone citizenship by investment requirements, cost, benefits, and application process. What Sierra Leone passport visa-free countries list is.

## 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.

## 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

There is one qualifying route under the GO-FOR-GOLD Special Naturalization Program: a verified economic contribution approved under the Special Naturalization framework. This contribution is processed through the official application system and protected via escrow until approval.

## A. For a Single Applicant

| Item | Amount |
| --- | --- |
| Contribution Amount | $140,000 |

## B. +1 Business Partner Option

This option allows one adult co-investor to apply together with the main applicant, without proof of an existing partnership.

| Item | Amount |
| --- | --- |
| Contribution Amount | $30,000 |

## C. Alternative Business Partner Structure

This structure applies where two business partners apply together as main applicants.

| Item | Amount |
| --- | --- |
| Contribution Per Partner | $85,000 |

## Dependants – Program Fees

| Item | Amount |
| --- | --- |
| 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 |

## Due Diligence Fees - Family Based

For family applications, the program may apply a family-based due diligence structure, calculated as follows:

| Item | Amount |
| --- | --- |
| 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

The expected timeframe for the Sierra Leone GO-FOR-GOLD Special Naturalisation Program is 60–90 days from submission to issuance of citizenship documents.
The process begins with pre-screening and preparation of the required documents, which may vary depending on the applicant’s ability to provide the necessary information.
Our team provides guidance, templates, and support to ensure a smooth and accurate submission.
The review stage includes independent due diligence checks and assessment by the Sierra Leone Immigration Department, followed by official approval.
Throughout the process, Savory & Partners works closely with the relevant authorities to ensure the fastest and most efficient outcome for each applicant.

1. Savory & Partners conducts an initial pre-screening of your profile and documents. A submission fee is paid to open the application and begin compliance checks.
2. Our 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.
3. Independent 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.
4. Upon 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.
5. The Certificate of Naturalization and Sierra Leone passport are issued following Presidential confirmation. All citizenship documents are prepared for delivery.
6. Passports, certificates, and official documents are securely delivered to the applicant through Savory & Partners.

## Application Process

2-3 months

## Visa-free Countries for Sierra Leone Citizenship by Investment

Visa-free destinations: 

A Sierra Leonean passport provides visa-free, visa-on-arrival, or eVisa access to approximately 90+ countries and territories worldwide. This includes full freedom of movement across ECOWAS, allowing the right to live, work, and settle in 15 West African states without visas or permits. In addition, passport holders benefit from access to selected destinations in Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean, subject to entry rules in force at the time of travel.

### 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

- Length: 4 pages
- Language: English & Arabic
- size: 1 mb

**Content**
- Sierra Leone Country profile
- Benefits of the program
- Investment requirements
- Investment process

## 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.