Sierra Leone is a tropical country located on the West African coast of the Atlantic Ocean, bordering Liberia and Guinea. The civil war ended in 2002, making Sierra Leone a relatively safe place to live. Sierra Leone’s economy is driven by agriculture, fisheries, and maritime trade. Despite its exotic natural beauty and proximity to the ocean, few tourists choose the country for vacation; on average, only about 5,000 people visit annually.
Sierra Leonean citizenship is primarily granted to people of African descent. The government encourages the descendants of its citizens to return to their ancestral homeland and boost the economy. Foreigners can obtain citizenship through 15 years of residency, marriage to a Sierra Leonean citizen, or investment.
Currently, Sierra Leonean citizenship is primarily chosen by individuals who wish to live, work, and conduct business in West Africa. However, those seeking to significantly expand their international rights are considering whose citizenship can provide this.
Who is eligible for Sierra Leone citizenship?
The fastest way to obtain citizenship is through birth or descent. However, these options are not suitable for foreigners because they require ancestry.
A Sierra Leonean passport is automatically granted by birth to a stateless person who was born in the country before April 19, 1971, or was living here on April 18, 1971, if two conditions are met:
- Their parents or grandparents were born in Sierra Leone;
- They are of African descent.
In 2017, the Citizenship Law was amended to extend this rule to individuals born outside of Sierra Leone.
A child will receive citizenship by descent if they have ancestors who were born in Sierra Leone or naturalized there. This requirement applies to individuals born abroad after April 19, 1971. Ancestors include parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents.
In Sierra Leone, naturalization is possible with approval from the State House through the president. Currently, this method is rarely used, as stated in the Citizenship Act itself. Naturalization applications are few and far between. Throughout Sierra Leone’s history, the government has repeatedly suspended the application process.
Naturalization requirements:
- Being at least 21 years old;
- Having African ancestry;
- Residing in the country for 8 years.
If you do not have African ancestry, you must live in Sierra Leone for at least 15 years before receiving a passport. To do so, you must obtain a residence permit, which is issued for one year and requires constant renewal. You can qualify for legal residence through work, business, study, or family.
In today’s world, 15 years is a very long time for naturalization. This is especially true when you consider that you can obtain a in other countries in just about six months without any residency.
If you were born abroad and your parents were naturalized in Sierra Leone before your birth, you can apply for citizenship upon reaching the age of 21.
You can also obtain a passport through marriage to a Sierra Leonean citizen. The law does not require you to reside in the country beforehand.
Another way to obtain citizenship is through the government’s “Go-For-Gold” investment program, launched in 2024. In exchange for purchasing gold bars (99.99% pure) and making a mandatory payment, foreigners are offered permanent residency. After completing these steps, the investor becomes eligible for accelerated naturalization.
Requirements and necessary documents
General requirements for naturalization in Sierra Leone:
- Be at least 21 years old;
- Have no mental illnesses;
- Meet the residency requirement;
- Take the oath;
- Complete and register a declaration of your place of residence and employment;
- Pay all government fees.
These are the conditions for accelerated naturalization through investment under the “Go-For-Gold” program:
| Applicants | Registration fee, $ | Amount of gold, kg |
|---|---|---|
| Investor only | 65 000 | 1 |
| Applicant + spouse + children under 18 | 75 000 | 1 |
| Large family | 100 000 | 2 |
Gold must be stored in a local bank for five years. If your application is rejected, you will receive a full refund of the application fee.
Participants in the “Go-For-Gold” program first obtain permanent residency. Application processing takes approximately 40 days. During this time, the Sierra Leone authorities will conduct a comprehensive due diligence check on the participants and verify their background. Investors can then apply for naturalization, which is processed within three months. Participants with African ancestry who can prove it through a DNA test receive citizenship within 60 days.
The Department of Immigration provides the exact list of documents required for Sierra Leone citizenship through regular or accelerated naturalization. In either case, however, you will need to prepare your passport, two digital photos, and documents of family members (if applicable).
Advantages and limitations of being a citizen of Sierra Leone
Obtaining Sierra Leone citizenship allows you to live, work, conduct business, and study here freely. You can also reside in other Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) countries under simplified conditions. You can pass your citizenship on to your children through inheritance.
However, Sierra Leone’s passport isn’t the strongest in the world; it ranks 63rd in the P4 ranking. With this passport, you can travel visa-free or with simplified processing to only 68 countries. These countries are primarily in Africa and the Caribbean. Interesting destinations where Sierra Leonean citizens do not need visas include Singapore, the Maldives, India, and Sri Lanka.
Another benefit is that you won’t have to renounce your citizenship upon naturalization in Sierra Leone. The country officially allows dual citizenship, so you can maintain ties to your homeland. However, this is only permitted if your country’s laws do not prohibit dual citizenship.
When Sierra Leone citizenship is a smart choice, and when it isn’t?
Currently, Sierra Leonean citizenship isn’t in high demand among foreigners. Regular or accelerated naturalization is primarily chosen by relatives of citizens or by people planning to establish business ties with other West African countries.
Sierra Leone is a member of ECOWAS, which is similar to the European Union. ECOWAS operates a free trade zone, and citizens of member countries can conduct business freely, enter visa-free, and work in any of the 15 countries. If your goal is to enjoy freedom of entrepreneurship, employment, or travel in this region, then Sierra Leone is a smart choice.
Those who want to obtain second citizenship for their entire family through investment can choose Vanuatu’s government program. By investing at least USD 130,000, you can receive a second passport within two months. Similar programs exist in the Caribbean, Turkey, Egypt, and other countries. This is one of the simplest options for those who need a “backup” plan, as well as for those who plan to establish business ties with European countries or who simply want unrestricted visas and temporary or permanent residence permits.
Can’t decide where to obtain second citizenship in today’s environment? Schedule a with an iWorld specialist—they’ll explain all the details of each immigration program, verify your eligibility, and assist you every step of the way, from document preparation to passport acquisition.
