How to Get Sierra Leone Citizenship in 2026

What is the Sierra Leone citizenship by investment program?

The Sierra Leone citizenship by investment program operates under the GO‑FOR‑GOLD initiative. Under the current framework, one option leads directly to naturalisation, while the other two grant permanent residency first and provide a route to fast-track naturalisation later ^[76] Source: Fast-track citizenship, Go For Gold Center .

Investors can choose one of three routes:

1. Non-refundable contribution from $140,000 for fast-track citizenship by naturalisation. 
2. Gold-backed permanent residency through the purchase of 1 kilogram of gold.
3. Permanent residency without gold through a state fee. 

Investors who choose the permanent residency route first obtain permanent residency under the investment programme and may later apply for Sierra Leone citizenship through the fast-track citizenship process.

The Sierra Leone citizenship by investment framework is connected to the country’s broader nationality legislation. The key legal acts governing citizenship and naturalisation in Sierra Leone include:

• Nationality and Citizenship Act No. 10 of 1962, the first law adopted after independence that established the initial framework for citizenship in Sierra Leone ^[77] Source: Citizenship law archive, Sierra Leone Web ;
• Constitution of Sierra Leone, 1991, which refers to citizenship acquired by registration or by naturalisation ^[78] Source: Sierra Leone Constitution, Sierra Leone Web ;
• Sierra Leone Citizenship Act, 1973, which sets the general naturalisation;
• Sierra Leone Citizenship Amendment Act, 2006, which introduced dual citizenship.

Sierra Leone allows dual citizenship. This means successful applicants can usually keep their current passport, as long as their other country of citizenship also permits dual nationality.

7 benefits of a Sierra Leone passport by investment

Under the GO‑FOR‑GOLD initiative, applicants may obtain citizenship directly or first receive permanent residency and later apply for fast-track naturalisation. Below are the key advantages highlighted for investors considering a Sierra Leone passport.

1. Citizenship in about 90 days

One of the main advantages of the Sierra Leone citizenship by investment program is the short processing period. The fast-track route based on a non-refundable contribution allows investors to obtain Sierra Leone citizenship in about 90 days after completing Due Diligence and approval procedures.

2. Affordable entry threshold

The Sierra Leone passport price starts at $140,000 for a single applicant through a non-refundable contribution to national development projects. This entry threshold is relatively low by international standards. 

It is lower than the minimum amount required in Caribbean CBI programmes, which typically start at $200,000. Also, it is below the entry level in Turkey and Egypt, where the minimum investment starts at $400,000 and $250,000 respectively.

3. Multiple investment options for investors

The program provides flexibility by offering several investment routes. Investors can choose the option that best suits their financial strategy:

• non-refundable contribution for direct citizenship;
• Gold purchase of at least 1 kilogram of 99.99% purity;
• government fee option that leads to permanent residency.

These alternatives make the Sierra Leone CBI structure more adaptable than programs with only a single investment route.

4. Investment recovery through 1 kg of gold

Investors who select the gold option purchase LBMA-certified gold bullion stored under the supervision of the Central Bank of Sierra Leone. The gold must generally be held for several years, after which it may be sold, allowing investors to potentially recover part or all of their investment depending on market conditions.

5. No residence requirement

Applicants are not required to live in Sierra Leone during the application process. Permanent residency obtained by investment is also not requiring physical residence to maintain the status.

6. Family and business partners may apply in one process

The program allows the main applicant to include a wide range of relatives in the same application. This makes it possible for an entire extended family to obtain Sierra Leone citizenship together.

In addition to family members, the application may also include a business partner of the main applicant. In this case, the investment contribution increases accordingly, allowing both individuals to obtain Sierra Leone citizenship through the same application process.

7. Dual citizenship and citizenship for future generations

Sierra Leone permits dual citizenship, meaning investors may usually keep their original nationality if their home country also allows multiple citizenship. In addition, Sierra Leone citizenship can generally be passed on to children, allowing future generations to inherit the status.

Recent updates and regulatory changes 

Sierra Leone’s citizenship framework has changed noticeably in a short period. The clearest public milestones begin in late 2024, when the government resumed ordinary naturalisation and then moved into a new phase focused on investor and heritage-based pathways.

2023: institutional groundwork

A January 2025 SLID press release points to December 2023 as an earlier milestone in the government’s broader immigration-modernisation effort. According to that statement, SLID signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Belgium Immigration Office, which it presented as part of a wider push to strengthen migration management and international cooperation.

2024: ordinary naturalisation resumed and GO‑FOR‑GOLD was launched

The first major formal change came in October 2024, when the Sierra Leone Immigration Department published a public notice stating that it would resume the naturalisation process with effect from October 1st, 2024. The same notice set out the standard documentary requirements for ordinary naturalisation, including evidence of residence in Sierra Leone for the previous eight years, travel records, and proof of employment or business activity.

2025: special naturalisation for investors was publicly announced

The next major step came on 2 January 2nd, 2025, when SLID announced new arrangements for naturalisation of qualifying foreign national investors and Sierra Leonean ancestral citizens. In that press release, the department described the measures as part of a strategy to attract talent and investment and to modernise the country’s immigration framework.

Public programme materials released around that period then set out the operational structure of the new pathways. The GO‑FOR‑GOLD website presents Fast Track Citizenship via Special Naturalization as a route that grants legal status and privileges within 90 days, while Heritage Naturalization is presented as an expedited route within 60 days.

2026: the programme remains live, but the legal framework is still presented as evolving

By 2026, the public programme FAQ still describes the Special Naturalisation pathway as operating under section 27(a) of the Citizenship Act, while saying that forthcoming statutory amendments are expected to formalise the route in law permanently. The same FAQ also says that, once enacted, the new law will codify the process within the Citizenship Act.

Sierra Leone CBI eligibility requirements

The Sierra Leone CBI programme is open to the main investor and a wide range of accompanying applicants. However, approval depends not only on making the required contribution or paying the government fees. Applicants must meet the programme’s age and family-composition rules, demonstrate sufficient financial standing, and pass independent Due Diligence before citizenship or permanent residency is granted.

Main applicant criteria

The main applicant must meet the core entry requirements set out in the current programme materials:

• be over 18 years old;
• apply under one of the approved investment routes;
• pass independent third-party Due Diligence.

The Sierra Leone CBI is open to applicants of most nationalities and explicitly excludes North Korean nationals ^[79] Source: Programme FAQs, Go For Gold Center .

Eligible family members

One of the distinctive features of Sierra Leone citizenship by investment is the broad definition of eligible accompanying applicants. An application may include:

• spouse or partner;
• children up to and including 18;
• children aged 19 to 30, who may also be included together with their spouse and children up to and including 18;
• parents and grandparents;
• siblings up to and including 30, as well as, under the official dependants guidance, their spouse and children up to and including 18;
• one last remaining relative;
• additional spouses where the marriage is legally recognised in the main applicant’s home jurisdiction;
• business partner aged 21 or over.

Sierra Leone citizenship program also accepts multi-spouse families, reflecting family arrangements common in different cultures.

The official programme website does not require applicants to prove a prior business relationship with the business partner. The partner must still pass Due Diligence, and the additional fee must be paid.

Source of funds and Due Diligence

Compliance is a central part of the Sierra Leone CBI process. Every applicant over 18 undergoes independent third-party Due Diligence, and the checks cover identity verification, source-of-wealth analysis, sanctions and PEP screening, criminal checks, and corporate records.

Investment options under Sierra Leone citizenship by investment

Sierra Leone citizenship by investment offers three routes under the GO‑FOR‑GOLD initiative. One route leads directly to citizenship through a non-refundable contribution. The other two routes lead first to permanent residency and then allow investors to move to fast-track citizenship later. 

When applying for permanent residency and citizenship, the investor undergoes Due Diligence and background checks. The total Due Diligence cost depends on the number of applicants:

• up to 5 family members — $5,000;
• 6 to 10 family members — $10,000;
• more than 10 family members — $10,000 plus $900 for each family member starting from the 11th.

Direct route to citizenship through non-refundable contribution

Investors who want the fastest route to Sierra Leone citizenship can choose a non-refundable contribution starting at $140,000 for the main applicant. This is the direct citizenship option under the Special Naturalisation pathway and is presented as taking about 90 days. 

The total amount increases depending on who is included in the application:

• $10,000 — for a spouse;
• $10,000 — per person for children up to and including 18, parents, grandparents;
• $20,000 — per person for children and siblings aged 19 to 30, as well as their spouses and children up to and including 18;
• $30,000 — for a business partner.

As part of the programme structure, the new citizen opens a Sierra Leone company and corporate bank account. This gives the applicant an immediate economic footprint in the country and creates a platform for legitimate trade or investment activity from the outset.

Permanent residency first through gold purchase

Applicants who prefer an asset-backed route can buy at least 1 kilogram of 99.99% gold and first obtain permanent residency. The gold is purchased at a 2% discount, placed in secured government storage for 5 years, and can support immediate permanent residency for the investor. 

The mandatory government fees for this route start at $50,000 for the main applicant. For larger extended-family applications, official materials note that a 2-kilogram purchase may be required. 

After permanent residency is granted, the investor can later move forward under the fast-track citizenship framework.

Permanent residency through government fee without gold purchase

The third option is designed for investors who do not want to buy gold. Under this route, the applicant first receives permanent residency by paying a higher programme fee of $70,000 instead of making a gold purchase. 

As with the gold route, investors can later apply for Sierra Leone citizenship through the fast-track framework.

Sierra Leone citizenship by investment total costs

Expense item	Non-refundable contribution	Gold purchase	Government fee
Main applicant	$140,000	1 kg of gold  + $50,000 fee	$70,000
Spouse	$10,000	$2,000	$2,000
Children under 18, parents, grandparents	$10,000 per person	$2,000 per person	$2,000 per person
Children over 19 to 30, their spouses, and their children under 18	$20,000 per person	$3,000 per person	$3,000 per person
Business partner	+$30,000	$5,000	$5,000
Due Diligence	$5,000+	$5,000+	$5,000+

Sierra Leone passport validity and renewal rules

A Sierra Leone passport issued under the citizenship route is currently valid for 5 years. Official GO‑FOR‑GOLD FAQs also state that Sierra Leone issues biometric e-passports. Once the passport expires, renewal follows the standard ordinary passport renewal procedure published by the Sierra Leone Immigration Department.

For both adults and children, SLID requires a completed Form B, three passport-sized photographs, and the previous passport or a copy of it.

The official passport fee is $100 equivalent, and the published processing time is 10 working days. In practice, renewal timing may vary if the authorities request an interview, additional verification, or updated biometric compliance.

Risks of Sierra Leone citizenship by investment

The Sierra Leone citizenship by investment program presents not only opportunities but also certain risks that investors should carefully evaluate before applying. These risks are mainly related to the programme’s recent launch, evolving regulatory framework, and the broader economic and political environment.

New programme with evolving regulations

The GO‑FOR‑GOLD initiative was launched at the end of 2024, which means the programme is still relatively new compared with long-established citizenship-by-investment programs. as a result, certain procedures, policies, or government requirements may evolve over time as the framework continues to develop.

Limited long-term track record

Because the programme is new, it does not yet have the long operating history seen in Caribbean CBI programs. Investors therefore have limited long-term data on application volumes, approval statistics, or policy stability.

Developing international reputation of the passport

The Sierra Leone passport currently offers access to 67 destinations without a prior visa. By comparison, passports issued under the main Caribbean citizenship-by-investment programmes usually provide access to more than 140 destinations, including Schengen Area countries. This means its current travel mobility is more limited than that of the established Caribbean CBI programmes. 

Regulatory and geopolitical considerations

Citizenship-by-investment programmes may attract attention from international regulators, particularly if they expand rapidly. Changes in global compliance standards, financial regulations, or visa policies could potentially affect how new programs operate in the future.

Due Diligence and approval risks

Finally, participation in the programme does not guarantee approval. All applicants must pass independent Due Diligence checks, and authorities may reject an application if concerns arise regarding background, source of funds, or compliance issues.

For these reasons, investors considering Sierra Leone citizenship by investment should conduct thorough legal and financial Due Diligence and work with qualified advisors before submitting an application.

Other ways to obtain Sierra Leone citizenship

Sierra Leone’s nationality framework also recognises citizenship by birth, descent, marriage, and naturalisation. The timelines under these routes are very different: birth and descent do not require a waiting period, while ordinary naturalisation requires 8 or 15 years of residence, depending on the applicant’s background.

Citizenship by birth

A child born in Sierra Leone can obtain citizenship by birth if at least one parent is a Sierra Leonean citizen. Since the 2006 amendment, citizenship can pass through either the mother or the father. The family only needs to prove the parent’s citizenship and complete the required civil and passport paperwork ^[80] Source: Citizenship amendment, Act, 2006 .

Citizenship by descent

A person born outside Sierra Leone on or after 19 April 1971 can qualify if their father or mother is or was a citizen of Sierra Leone under the Act. The same guidance states that a person who falls within this category is entitled to Sierra Leonean citizenship and, in principle, to a passport once the status is documented.

This makes citizenship by descent much faster than naturalisation. The main issue is not time spent in the country, but proving the family link through the required civil records and citizenship documents.

Citizenship by naturalisation

Ordinary naturalisation is the longest route to Sierra Leone citizenship. The residence requirement is at least: 

• 8 years for a person of Negro African descent; 
• 15 years for other applicants. 

Public official sources do not specify an exact minimum number of days the applicant must spend in the country each year. The authorities require evidence of residence in Sierra Leone, travel records, and proof of employment, business activity, or income, which suggests that applicants must demonstrate genuine long-term residence rather than merely holding an immigration status. 

Applicants must also be at least 21 years old. No public official source currently states that language or citizenship exams are required.

Citizenship by marriage

The official policy guidance states that a woman who is not a Sierra Leonean and is or has been married to a Sierra Leonean citizen may apply for a certificate of naturalisation. The applicant must be of full age and capacity, take an oath of allegiance, register a declaration concerning residence and employment, and pay the prescribed fees.

The law does not set a specific minimum residence period for the marriage-based route. That means the timeline is less clear-cut than for ordinary naturalisation and depends on the application process and government approval.

Tax residency and financial considerations

Obtaining Sierra Leone citizenship by investment does not automatically make an investor a Sierra Leone tax resident. Tax treatment depends on the residence tests in local law, the investor’s physical presence in the country, and whether they later receive Sierra Leone-source income or operate a Sierra Leone company. 

Individuals and companies operating in Sierra Leone are subject to several national taxes administered by the National Revenue Authority, NRA.

Tax residency in Sierra Leone

Resident individuals are taxed on their worldwide income, while non-residents are taxed only on Sierra Leone-source income. An individual can become tax resident if they have a normal place of abode in Sierra Leone, spend more than 182 days in the country during a relevant 12-month period, or are a Sierra Leone government official posted abroad ^[81] Source: Tax residency rules, NRA Sierra Leone . 

For companies tax residence may arise in 3 main ways: 

1. They are incorporated in Sierra Leone.
2. Their management and control are exercised in Sierra Leone.
3. They carry out the majority of their operations in Sierra Leone.

This matters because a GO‑FOR‑GOLD application includes a Sierra Leone company as part of the programme structure.

Main taxes for individuals

Personal income tax for resident individuals is progressive under the following annual bands ^[82] Source: Tax guide 2022, NRA Sierra Leone :

• 0% on the first NLe 7,200 or $318;
• 15% on the next NLe 7,200 or $318;
• 20% on the next NLe 7,200 or $318;
• 25% on the next NLe 7,200 or $318;
• 30% on income above NLe 28,800 or $1,271.

Non-resident personal income tax is generally charged at a flat 25% on Sierra Leone-source employment or business income. Capital gains tax is generally charged at 25% on gains from the disposal of chargeable assets.

Main taxes for companies

The exact tax burden depends on the nature of the business activity, whether the company is considered tax resident, and whether it distributes profits or receives certain types of income.

The main taxes applicable to companies in Sierra Leone include:

• corporate income tax — 30% of taxable profits for both resident and non-resident companies;
• Goods and Services Tax — 15% on most goods and services, including imports, unless the transaction qualifies for an exemption or zero-rating;
• withholding tax on dividends and rent — 10% when profits are distributed to shareholders or when rental income is paid;
• withholding tax on interest — 15% on interest payments;
• withholding tax on royalties — 25% on royalty payments;
• capital gains tax — 25% on gains from the disposal of chargeable assets, such as business property or investments.

Payroll tax may apply if the company employs non-citizens. The annual charge is NLe 1,500 or $66 per ECOWAS citizen employee, and NLe 5,000 or $221 per non-ECOWAS citizen employee.

Final thoughts on Sierra Leone Passport by Investment

1. The GO‑FOR‑GOLD framework was launched in late 2024 and currently provides 3 routes for foreign applicants.
2. Under the special naturalisation route, leading to obtaining a second passport, the minimum contribution is $140,000 for one applicant. 
3. The processing timeline is up to 90 days, including 30 to 60 days to approval and 60 to 90 days to passport issuance.
4. The programme allows a broad range of accompanying applicants, including spouse, children, parents, grandparents, siblings, and business partners.
5. Under the gold-based permanent residency route, the applicant must acquire at least 1 kilogram of 99.99% gold and pay a $50,000 government fee. 
6. Under the government-fee permanent residency route, the minimum fee is $70,000.