1 October 2026 • Sierra Leone launched two new citizenship by investment options • Source
29 October 2025 • Sierra Leone has updated the conditions for granting permanent residence and citizenship by investment • Source
7 December 2024 • Sierra Leone opened applications for citizenship and permanent residency through investment • Source
Changes are monitored by Anastasia Agafonova Anastasia Agafonova

Sierra Leone citizenship by investment

Investors obtain a Sierra Leone passport in as little as 6 months if they make a non-refundable contribution to the country’s economy. Foreigners may also invest in gold to receive permanent residency and then citizenship through the fast-track procedure.

Sierra Leone citizenship by investment

6+ months

Obtaining period

For the whole family

And close relatives

No residence required

Before or after obtaining the status

2%

Investor discount on gold purchases

Sierra Leone has launched a citizenship by investment program called Go‑For‑Gold. Participants can choose one of three options: a non‑refundable contribution, purchasing gold, or paying a government fee.

A non-refundable contribution of at least $95,000 allows the investor to obtain citizenship immediately. The amount depends on the composition of the application. For example, an investor applying with their family pays $140,000 for themselves and $10,000—20,000 for each family member.

When an investor chooses the gold purchase option, they first receive permanent residency in Sierra Leone. This status allows them to apply for citizenship through the Upgrade fast‑track procedure.

The applicant purchases at least 1 kg of gold and pays the mandatory government fees starting at $50,000. Another option is to pay an increased government fee of $70,000.

7 benefits of Sierra Leone citizenship

Fast‑track process

Obtaining permanent residency takes up to 40 days, while citizenship is granted in 6 months at a minimum. Travelling to Sierra Leone is not required; the application is submitted remotely.

Stable investment growth

Gold prices fluctuate less than securities and currencies. In 2025, the price of an ounce of gold increased by 57% and reached $4,201.

Access to banking services

Residents can open bank accounts, keep savings, and make international transfers. Banks in Sierra Leone do not exchange tax and financial information with other countries.

Status for the whole family

The application for permanent residence and citizenship may include a spouse, children, grandchildren, and parents, as well as siblings, their spouses, and their children. There is no need to prove financial dependence on the investor.

100 visa-free destinations

Citizens of Sierra Leone can travel freely to Kenya, Rwanda, Guinea, and other countries in Africa, Asia, and the Americas. Entry usually requires only a passport, while some destinations require an electronic visa or visa on arrival.

2% discount on gold purchases

Investors receive a 2% discount on the gold purchase price. The discount remains valid for five years after obtaining the residence permit and applies to an additional 19 kilograms.

Citizenship inheritance

Sierra Leone citizenship is automatically passed on to the investor’s children and grandchildren. This allows future generations to secure the status and its benefits without additional investment.

100 visa‑free countries with a Sierra Leone passport

Afghanistan
Visa is required
Albania
eTA
Algeria
Visa is required
Andorra
Visa is required
Angola
Visa is required
Antigua & Barbuda
eTA
Argentina
Visa is required
Armenia
Visa is required
Australia
eTA
Austria
Visa is required
Azerbaijan
Visa is required
Bahamas
Visa-free, 90 days
Bahrain
eTA
Bangladesh
Visa-free, 90 days
Barbados
Visa-free
Belarus
Visa is required
Belgium
Visa is required
Belize
Visa-free
Benin
Visa-free
Bhutan
eTA
Bolivia
eTA
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Visa is required
Botswana
Visa-free
Brazil
Visa is required
Brunei
Visa is required
Bulgaria
Visa is required
Burkina Faso
Visa-free
Burundi
Visa upon arrival
Cambodia
Visa upon arrival
Cameroon
eTA
Canada
Visa is required
Cape Verde
Visa-free
Central African Republic
Visa is required
Chad
eTA
Chile
Visa is required
China
Visa is required
Colombia
eTA
Comoros
Visa upon arrival
Congo - Brazzaville
Visa is required
Congo - Kinshasa
eTA
Costa Rica
Visa is required
Côte d’Ivoire
Visa-free
Croatia
Visa is required
Cuba
Visa is required
Cyprus
Visa is required
Czechia
Visa is required
Denmark
Visa is required
Djibouti
Visa-free
Dominica
Visa-free
Dominican Republic
Visa is required
Ecuador
eTA
Egypt
Visa is required
El Salvador
eTA
Equatorial Guinea
eTA
Eritrea
Visa upon arrival
Estonia
Visa is required
Eswatini
Visa-free, 30 days
Ethiopia
Visa upon arrival
Fiji
Visa-free
Finland
Visa is required
France
Visa is required
Gabon
eTA
Gambia
Visa-free, 90 days
Georgia
Visa is required
Germany
Visa is required
Ghana
Visa-free, 90 days
Greece
Visa is required
Grenada
Visa-free, 90 days
Guatemala
Visa is required
Guinea
Visa-free
Guinea-Bissau
Visa-free
Guyana
eTA
Haiti
Visa-free, 90 days
Honduras
Visa is required
Hungary
Visa is required
Iceland
Visa is required
India
eTA
Indonesia
eTA
Iran
Visa upon arrival
Iraq
eTA
Ireland
Visa is required
Israel
eTA
Italy
Visa is required
Jamaica
Visa-free
Japan
Visa is required
Jordan
Visa is required
Kazakhstan
eTA
Kenya
eTA
Kiribati
Visa-free, 90 days
Kuwait
Visa is required
Kyrgyzstan
eTA
Laos
Visa is required
Latvia
Visa is required
Lebanon
Visa is required
Lesotho
Visa-free
Liberia
Visa-free
Libya
eTA
Liechtenstein
Visa is required
Lithuania
Visa is required
Luxembourg
Visa is required
Madagascar
Visa upon arrival
Malawi
Visa-free
Malaysia
Visa-free, 30 days
Maldives
Visa upon arrival
Mali
Visa-free
Malta
Visa is required
Marshall Islands
Visa is required
Mauritania
eTA
Mauritius
Visa-free, 90 days
Mexico
Visa is required
Micronesia
Visa-free, 30 days
Moldova
eTA
Monaco
Visa is required
Mongolia
eTA
Montenegro
Visa is required
Morocco
Visa is required
Mozambique
Visa upon arrival
Myanmar (Burma)
Visa is required
Namibia
Visa upon arrival
Nauru
Visa is required
Nepal
Visa upon arrival
Netherlands
Visa is required
New Zealand
Visa is required
Nicaragua
Visa is required
Niger
Visa-free
Nigeria
Visa-free
North Korea
Visa is required
North Macedonia
Visa is required
Norway
Visa is required
Oman
eTA
Pakistan
eTA
Palau
Visa-free
Panama
Visa is required
Papua New Guinea
eTA
Paraguay
Visa is required
Peru
Visa is required
Philippines
Visa is required
Poland
Visa is required
Portugal
Visa is required
Qatar
eTA
Romania
Visa is required
Russia
Visa is required
Rwanda
Visa-free, 90 days
Samoa
Visa-free
San Marino
Visa is required
São Tomé & Príncipe
eTA
Saudi Arabia
eTA
Senegal
Visa-free, 90 days
Serbia
Visa is required
Seychelles
Visa-free, 90 days
Singapore
Visa-free, 30 days
Slovakia
Visa is required
Slovenia
Visa is required
Solomon Islands
Visa is required
Somalia
eTA
South Africa
Visa is required
South Korea
eTA
South Sudan
eTA
Spain
Visa is required
Sri Lanka
Visa upon arrival
St. Kitts & Nevis
Visa-free
St. Lucia
Visa-free
St. Vincent & Grenadines
Visa-free, 90 days
Sudan
Visa is required
Suriname
eTA
Sweden
Visa is required
Switzerland
Visa is required
Syria
eTA
Tajikistan
Visa is required
Tanzania
eTA
Thailand
eTA
Timor-Leste
Visa-free
Togo
Visa-free
Tonga
Visa is required
Trinidad & Tobago
Visa-free
Tunisia
Visa is required
Türkiye
Visa is required
Turkmenistan
Visa is required
Tuvalu
Visa upon arrival
Uganda
Visa-free, 90 days
Ukraine
Visa is required
United Arab Emirates
eTA
United Kingdom
Visa is required
United States
Visa is required
Uruguay
Visa is required
Uzbekistan
Visa is required
Vanuatu
Visa-free, 120 days
Venezuela
Visa is required
Vietnam
eTA
Yemen
Visa is required
Zambia
eTA
Zimbabwe
eTA

Licensed agent

Participation in the Sierra Leone citizenship program is only possible through a licensed agent. A licence from the government of Sierra Leone is proof of the professionalism of the Passportivity legal team and a guarantee of your case’s success.

With us, you can be confident in transparency, legality, and security at every step of the path to your new citizenship.

Guide to obtaining Sierra Leone citizenship

Guide to obtaining Sierra Leone citizenship

  • Step-by-step procedure
  • Requirements for applicants
  • Answers to frequently asked questions
Download practical guide

Requirements to apply for Sierra Leone citizenship

Over 18 years old

In a registered marriage or cohabiting relationship

Aged 30 or younger

Of any age

Aged 17 or younger

Aged 18 to 30 inclusive

Over 18

Over 18
Not a family member

Over 18
Only when choosing the Enterprise Citizenship option

Investment options for obtaining Sierra Leone citizenship

Option Solo Entrepreneur: option for one applicant — $95,000+
Details

Only one investor submits the citizenship application. Family members cannot be included.

The applicant transfers the investment to the Sierra Leone Development Fund. It cannot be recovered.

Additional costs

$5,000
Due Diligence fee

$500
Document preparation and certification

Option Enterprise Citizenship: option for two applicants — $80,000+
Details

Two investors submit a joint citizenship application and make a non-refundable contribution of $80,000 each. They are not required to prove that they have business ties.

Family members cannot be included under this option. The investments are non-refundable.

Additional costs

$5,000
Due Diligence fee

$500
Document preparation and certification

Option Non-refundable contribution to the Sierra Leone Development Fund — $140,000+
Details

An investment of at least $140,000 is transferred to the Sierra Leone Development Fund to support national initiatives.

When submitting the citizenship application, the investor can include family members as well as one additional applicant with no close family relationship.

Additional costs

$10,000—20,000
Additional contribution for each family member included in the application

$5,000
Due Diligence fee

$500
Document preparation and certification

Option Gold purchase — at least 1 kg
Details

The investor purchases at least 1 kg of gold with a purity of 99.99% and a certificate in accordance with the standards of the LBMA Good Delivery List—an independent precious metals association.

The cost of purchasing 1 kg of gold is at least $143,000.

Under this option, the investor obtains permanent residence in Sierra Leone and can apply for citizenship through an accelerated procedure.

As of October 2026, the government has not yet published the details of obtaining a passport.

Additional costs

$50,000
Government fee

$2,000—5,000
Additional fee for each family member included in the application

$5,000
Due Diligence fee

$500
Document preparation and certification

Option Government fee — $70,000
Details

Instead of purchasing gold, the investor pays an increased fee of $70,000.

The foreign national is granted permanent residence in Sierra Leone, which allows them to apply for citizenship through an accelerated procedure.

As of October 2026, the government has not yet published the details of obtaining a passport.

Additional costs

$2,000—5,000
Additional fee for each family member included in the application

$5,000
Due Diligence fee

$500
Document preparation and certification

Calculate the cost for Sierra Leone citizenship for your family

Calculate the cost for Sierra Leone citizenship for your family

You will receive a personal estimate with all related expenses and government fees
Calculate the cost

Key documents to apply for Sierra Leone citizenship

  • Identity document, such as a passport or ID card
  • Digital photo
  • Proof of residential address, such as a utility bill
  • Birth certificate
  • Marriage certificate

How to obtain Sierra Leone citizenship by investment: step‑by‑step process

1.

Preliminary check

Experts review the investor’s background using open international databases. The preliminary check helps identify possible reasons for rejection in the citizenship application in advance.

2.

Collection and submission of documents

The investor prepares a basic set of documents: identity document, photo, proof of residential address, birth and marriage certificates. Lawyers complete the citizenship application form and attach it to the rest of the package.

The immigration service may request additional documents, such as the investor’s résumé.

3.

Investment transfer

The applicant transfers the investment funds, pays the government fees, and covers the cost of the Due Diligence check.

4.

Application submission and Due Diligence

The lawyers have the documents notarised and submit them for review in Sierra Leone. The wait for a document submission appointment takes at least one month.

After receiving the investment, the immigration service conducts two checks — Due Diligence and a background check. Officials study the investor’s biography, career, credit history, and criminal record. It takes 90 working days.

5.

Opening a company and a bank account

This stage is optional, as the entire process can be completed remotely. The investor suggests 3 company names. Representatives in Sierra Leone register the company and open an account with a local bank. They then send the incorporation documents to the applicant.

6.

Obtaining a Sierra Leone passport 🔥

After approval, the investor receives a naturalisation certificate, a passport, and a Sierra Leone tax number. The passport is issued within up to 30 working days.

Why clients choose us

Licensed agent

Passportivity is an official representative of the Sierra Leone Citizenship by Investment program.

We are authorised to represent investors’ interests and act strictly within the framework of the conditions set out in the Nationality and Citizenship Act No. 10 of 1962.

Deep expertise

With over 11 years of experience in investment immigration and financial planning, we are equipped to handle even the most complex client needs.

Personalised approach

We create detailed, step‑by‑step strategies tailored to each client’s goals, ensuring the most effective path to success.

Support at every stage

From your first consultation through to the issuance of your residence permit or passport, our legal team supports you every step of the way.

Additional services

We obtain a tax number, conclude a lease agreement, or apostille documents — we handle additional requests upon demand.

Flexible communication and 24/7 availability

Meet us in person or online, whatever suits you best.

We respond to enquiries within two hours. Your case is handled by a dedicated lawyer who is always in touch.

From idea to citizenship — with expert support

For over 10 years, we've been helping clients navigate the path to citizenship and residency. Our approach combines in-depth knowledge of international law with a practical understanding of local bureaucratic systems. Every case is handled with a bespoke strategy, refined to the last detail.

Personal meeting

Frequently asked questions

Foreigners can obtain Sierra Leone citizenship by birth, marriage, or naturalisation. The naturalisation period is 8 years. 

Since December 2024, the country has introduced a citizenship by investment programme. Participants obtain a passport by investment starting at $95,000.

The investor purchases 1 kg of gold, with the approximate cost being $143,000. The exact cost is calculated based on the current exchange rate on the date of purchase.

Sierra Leone is a member of ECOWAS, the Economic Community of West African States. Within the 15 member countries, there are no customs duties, and a common tariff applies to goods from third countries. This allows entrepreneurs in Sierra Leone to reduce logistics costs and speed up the delivery of goods.

Applicants for citizenship incur additional expenses when including family members in the application; a fee of at least $10,000 is charged for each person. There are no government duties or fees, but a Due Diligence check must be paid for, starting at $5,000. Investors also pay for translation and notary services — $500 or more.

Investors who purchase gold and obtain permanent residence additionally pay a government fee of $50,000 or more, depending on the composition of the application. They must also pay the Due Diligence fee — $5,000 or more.

If the investor obtains permanent residence by paying the increased government fee, they must also pay the Due Diligence fee and the fees for adding family members.

The choice depends on the investor’s goals. Obtaining permanent residence requires a smaller investment, and some of the funds can be recovered after five years. The status is permanent but does not provide the privileges of citizenship.

A Sierra Leone passport offers state protection and visa‑free travel opportunities. Citizenship requires a non‑refundable contribution.

After purchase, the gold is stored in Sierra Leone’s state reserves for five years. Once this period ends, the investor can take possession of the gold or sell it to recover the investment.

The Cabinet of Ministers may refuse citizenship if the applicant provides false information about themselves or their family, violates immigration laws, is suspected of terrorism or extremism, or has serious illnesses.

No, it is not. In Sierra Leone, military service is voluntary.

Passportivity Head of the Investment Department Yulia Malloy

Contact us today

We will help you obtain Sierra Leone citizenship without unnecessary hassle. We minimize risks so you don't waste time and money.

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