Sierra Leone has undergone significant growth in the past decade. With economic development steady across sectors, there are new and diverse job opportunities for companies looking to expand to the country. However, if you want to open a new location in Sierra Leone and employ international workers, you’ll need to consider how to get Sierra Leone work permits for each new global hire.
Types of work visas in Sierra Leone
While Sierra Leone offers several types of work visas, the most applicable for global companies include the following:
- Business visa and residence permit for business purposes: This visa is typically for self-employed individuals who can demonstrate their ability to operate a business in the country or for entrepreneurs who want to set up business ventures. Minimum capital requirements are based on the applicant’s business type and sector. Typically, such permits are restricted to specific business areas for which they have been initially issued.
- Residence permit for employment purposes: A work permit is the most common option for employees of international companies. Employers must sponsor each employee for their entire stay. Such permit is restricted to a specific job, with a specific employer, and in certain instances, to a specific location.
- Tourist visa: Nationals of other countries, such as the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and a few other nationalities, can stay in Sierra Leone without a visa. Everyone else needs a tourist visa from the Sierra Leone embassies and consulates in their country of residence.
Other visas may be available depending on the purpose of stay, including but not limited to, studying, reuniting with a life partner or spouse, retiring, or seeking medical treatment. Employees can obtain different visas as their role with a company changes too. For example, they may need an initial business visa to do some work in Sierra Leone. If they become a permanent fixture at your office in Sierra Leone, they’ll need a residence permit for employment purposes.
Requirements to obtain Sierra Leone work visas
In order to apply for a residence permit for employment purposes, the following documents are required:
- Letter from the employer with the full details of the entity requesting a residence permit on behalf of the employee.
- After the request letter, the employee should collect an application form from the Immigration Department to proceed with a formal application.
- Valid passport.
- 2 passport-size pictures.
- Appointment letter from the employer in Sierra Leone.
Effective June 1, 2022, all work and residence permit applicants will need to obtain a National Identity Number (NIN) from the National Civil Registration Authority prior to application.
Application process
Employees must fill out and submit all documents with a Sierra Leone embassy in their home country. The country’s National Revenue Authority will process all applications. If granted, the employee should show all documents to immigration officials upon arrival at the airport. Once the work permit expires, employees can apply for extensions with the relevant high commission or embassy in Freetown.
Keep in mind that employees, including ECOWAS citizens, will also require a residential permit from the Immigration Department to become lawful residents in Sierra Leone, and a work permit from the Work Permit Bureau at the Ministry of Labour and Industrial Relations to be lawfully allowed to work.
Other important considerations
It’s important to note that any international worker working in Sierra Leone without a valid residence permit shall be liable to prosecution, and the employer will need to bear any cost resulting from the removal of the employee from the country.
It’s also worth noting that a residence permit based on employment is only valid for a specific employer and a specific position within the company. Should there be a change of employer, a full application by the new employer must be submitted.
The residence permit is typically valid for 1 year and it should be renewed no later than 3 days from the expiration date.
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