The Sierra Leonean Business Visa for your Business Trip
If you are thinking of going to Sierra Leone for business, then applying for a Sierra Leonean business visa can become a necessary task.
Generally, you should be able to apply for the necessary Sierra Leonean business visa online/ at the nearest Sierra Leonean consulate in the country where you live, for a stay in Sierra Leone of up to three months.
General Visa Requirements and Validity Period of Sierra Leonean Business Visa
Before applying for a business visa for Sierra Leone, it is advised you check whether you can apply for the Sierra Leonean business visa.
A brief list of the most important requirements and conditions when getting the business visa for Sierra Leone:
- You do not plan to perform voluntary job that would otherwise be done by a paid staff in Sierra Leone.
- You do not mean to join an employment relationship in Sierra Leone.
- You do not mean to provide services to Sierra Leonean organisations (this is permitted with a Sierra Leonean work visa or business visa).
- You do not plan to supply or market product or services to consumers in Sierra Leone.
- You and your relative are not in debt to the Sierra Leone Government.
- You do not pose a threat to the health or safety and security of residents of Sierra Leone.
- You have the ability to show that you have adequate financial resources to pay for your visit and return from Sierra Leone.
Do I need a Sierra Leonean business visa?
It depends on your citizenship and the kind of travel document you are using to travel to Sierra Leone.Please go here to verify if you need a Sierra Leonean visa.
Who can request a Sierra Leonean business visa?
Any person wanting to go on holiday to Sierra Leone can make an application for a Sierra Leonean business visa.
There are many types of visa for Sierra Leone which you can use as a visitor to Sierra Leone. If you are not exactly sure which type of Sierra Leonean business visa you need to apply, please speak to the local Sierra Leonean visa office to get more information as goal of this page is to offer you general overview when applying for Sierra Leonean business visa.
What kind of Sierra Leonean visa do I require?
This relies on three things:
- The nationality according to your passport – If the nationality according to the passport is from a nation that is on visa free travel to Sierra Leone or eligible to obtain a visa on arrival in Sierra Leone, then you may not need to make an application for a Sierra Leonean business visa prior to departure from your home country. Please click here to find out if you require a Sierra Leonean visa.
- The timeframe of your visit in Sierra Leone – If you wish to remain in Sierra Leone for a much shorter period less than ninety days, then you can apply for the Sierra Leonean business visa. If you wish to stay much longer, then speak to the nearest Sierra Leonean visa office to secure the appropriate visa for your trip.
- The activities you want to carry out in Sierra Leone – If your main reason of travelling is for holiday, then you can make an application for all types of Sierra Leonean business visas stated on this page.
General Visa Application Requirements to Obtain Sierra Leonean Business Visa
- Business visa application form for Sierra Leone – Completed Sierra Leonean visa Form.
- Original and signed passport – The passport must be valid for at the very least 6 months before going into Sierra Leone and three months after departing Sierra Leone. It needs to have at least 2 spare visa web pages and can not be older than 10 years.
- Passport type photo – Photo needs to be no older than six months and need to be 35 x 40mm in width.
- Previous passport – Give a previous passport if you had any.
- Previous visas – Copies of previous Sierra Leonean visas details if you had any.
- Flight tickets to Sierra Leone – Reservation of return or round trip flight tickets. In some instances the Sierra Leonean visa office might request for pre-paid flight tickets to Sierra Leone.
- Travel insurance policy – Evidence of travel insurance coverage with a minimum cover set by the Sierra Leonean embassy provided with the Certificate of Insurance and the table of benefits. The travel insurance coverage should cover the cost of repatriation for medical reasons and the Certificate of Currency should be issued by an insurer. If you are considering using your credit card travel insurance for your travel to Sierra Leone, please get in touch with Sierra Leonean embassy to find out more and travel insurance coverage requirements for the Sierra Leonean visa.
- Original bank statements – Original financial institution statements for the last 3 months showing adequate funds to cover your trip in Sierra Leone. If statements are printed online then it needs to be Confirmed (stamped) by the bank officials.
- Hotel Reservations in Sierra Leone – Copy of confirmed hotel bookings including name of the applicant, name and address of the hotel, time-span of stay. In a lot of situations, only bookings which are partially or completely pre-paid can be accepted.
- Employment letter – This letter needs to be: original and signed letter from employer written on company letter head paper, validating your ongoing employment, the status of employment, monthly salary and yearly leave. Also, please give your three most recent pay slips. If you are self-employed: provide certified copies of company registration, tax return.
- For students. Please supply the following:
- Proof of current student status: Certificate of Enrollment.
- Original and signed letter from university written on university letter head paper, confirming ongoing enrolment, verifying the payment of tuition fees or any type of scholarships, and confirming term break.
- Insurance policy from Organisation/University – Supply a letter from the University stating the purpose, duration of travel and confirmation that you will be covered by the insurance for the entire journey in addition to the Certificate of Currency and summary of benefits.
Generally, visa applications for Sierra Leonean visa ought to be submitted for an optimum of 6 months, and no later than 15 days, prior to the journey.