Sierra Leone Visa RequirementsFor United Kingdom passport holders
British citizens need a visa to visit Sierra Leone, applied for online through the Sierra Leone eVisa portal. The tourist visa costs approximately $80 USD and processing takes 5-10 business days. Sierra Leone is a former British colony with deep UK ties and a growing tourism sector focused on pristine Atlantic beaches, chimpanzee sanctuaries, and cultural heritage from the transatlantic slave trade period.
United Kingdom passport holders require a visa to enter Sierra Leone.
British citizens should apply for a Sierra Leone eVisa online at evisa.sl before travel. The tourist visa costs approximately $80 USD. Required: valid British passport (minimum 6 months validity), digital passport photo, travel dates, accommodation address, and yellow fever vaccination certificate (mandatory for entry). Processing takes 5-10 business days. A valid yellow fever vaccination card is strictly required at Freetown Lungi International Airport; carry the original WHO yellow card.
Entry Requirements
Passport Validity
6 months beyond date of entry
Blank Pages
2 blank pages required
Multiple Entry
Single entry only
Work Permitted
No - requires work visa
Required Documents
For Your Visa Application
Valid British passport (minimum 6 months validity)
Digital passport photo
Yellow fever vaccination certificate (mandatory)
Travel dates and accommodation address
Tourist visa fee (~$80 USD)
Required at Entry
Printed eVisa or digital approval
Original yellow fever vaccination card (WHO yellow card)
Valid British passport
Current Travel Situation
United Kingdom to Sierra Leone: What You Need to Know
Sierra Leone has one of the deepest historical connections with Britain of any West African nation: it was a British Crown Colony and became independent in 1961, remaining in the Commonwealth. Freetown, the capital, was founded in 1787 as a settlement for freed slaves from Britain and North America. The Cotton Tree in central Freetown, an enormous 500-year-old kapok tree, is a national symbol of freedom for formerly enslaved people. Sierra Leone suffered a devastating civil war (1991-2002) and the 2014-2016 Ebola outbreak, but has made significant progress in stability and safety. For British visitors, Sierra Leone offers extraordinary beaches (the Freetown Peninsula has some of West Africa's finest undeveloped beaches), Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary, and a direct historical connection to Britain that makes it a poignant and meaningful destination.
How to Get There
No direct UK-Sierra Leone flights exist. Connect to Freetown Lungi International Airport (FNA) via Brussels (Brussels Airlines, excellent West African network), Casablanca (Royal Air Maroc), or Abidjan/Accra (as connection points on African routes). Brussels Airlines is the most reliable operator with consistent schedules. From Lungi Airport, a water taxi or helicopter service connects across the estuary to central Freetown (the land route via ferry or bridge can take 2-4 hours in traffic). Total journey from London to Freetown is approximately 10-16 hours.
Money & Banking
Sierra Leone uses the Sierra Leonean leone (SLE). Sierra Leone is affordable: budget $60-100 USD per day for mid-range travel. Freetown has a growing range of hotels and guesthouses. Beach resort accommodation at Aberdeen Beach or Tokeh costs $60-150 per night. USD cash is widely accepted alongside leones. International card acceptance is limited outside major hotels, so bring USD cash. Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary day visit fee is $30-40 per person.
Practical Tips
Freetown Peninsula beaches: Tokeh Beach (2 hours from Freetown, undeveloped white sand and jungle backdrop), River No. 2 Beach (considered one of West Africa's most beautiful), Bureh Beach (surfing). Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary (40 minutes from Freetown): conservation center for rescued chimpanzees, guided tours, and overnight accommodation. Bunce Island: a British-era slave fort in the Sierra Leone River, one of the most significant slave trade historical sites in West Africa, a profoundly moving visit. Cotton Tree Freetown: a 500-year-old kapok tree in central Freetown symbolizing freedom. The Natural History Museum. Turtle Islands: remote archipelago with extraordinary beaches and nesting sea turtles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do British citizens need a visa for Sierra Leone?
Yes. UK passport holders need a Sierra Leone eVisa, applied at evisa.sl. The fee is approximately $80 USD and processing takes 5-10 business days. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is mandatory for entry -- carry the original WHO yellow card.
How do I get from Freetown airport to the city?
Lungi Airport is across the estuary from Freetown. The fastest option is a water taxi or helicopter ($20-50 USD, 15-20 minutes). A ferry service operates intermittently. The land route via bridge and road can take 2-4 hours in traffic. Book water taxi transfers through your hotel in advance.
Is Sierra Leone safe for British tourists?
Sierra Leone is significantly more stable than during the civil war era. The main tourist areas (Freetown, the Peninsula beaches) are generally safe. Use normal African city precautions in Freetown. The UK Foreign Office advises normal caution. Avoid any areas near the Guinea border and heed any specific safety advice at time of travel.