Sierra Leone Citizenship: Requirements, Application, and Key Benefits 

Sierra Leone’s natural riches in gold and diamonds make it an attractive option for expats looking to diversify their investment portfolios while maintaining or growing their wealth. This is particularly emphasized through initiatives like Go-For-Gold, which are designed to give investors meaningful advantages on the path to citizenship.

However, pursuing Sierra Leone citizenship without guidance can be expensive, complex, and time-consuming. In this guide, we’ll discuss the Sierra Leone citizenship requirements, benefits, tax implications, and application steps, and show you how to streamline the process.

Sierra Leone Citizenship: Requirements for Different Pathways

As an expat, you can pursue Sierra Leone citizenship through one of the following options:

1. Investment
2. Descent
3. Marriage
4. Naturalization

1. Sierra Leone Citizenship by Investment

Sierra Leone allows expats to obtain citizenship by paying a fixed fee to a state development fund. There are currently two pathways to obtaining Sierra Leone citizenship through investment, with slightly different minimum donation thresholds: 

1. Fast Track Naturalization: Requires a minimum donation of USD 140,000. It grants citizenship within 90 days
2. Heritage naturalization: Reserved for applicants who prove African ancestry through a DNA test. It requires a donation of at least USD 100,000 and grants citizenship within 60 days

The second route also allows foreign citizens to include any qualifying family members for an additional fee of USD 10,000 each. Eligible family members are children under 18, spouses (including legal second spouses), and dependent parents of any age.

2. Sierra Leone Citizenship by Descent

The principles of jus soli (right of soil) and jus sanguinis (right of blood) make up the basis of Sierra Leone’s citizenship by birth program. This means that individuals born in Sierra Leone and those born abroad can claim citizenship as long as at least one parent or grandparent is a Sierra Leonean citizen.

To qualify for citizenship by descent as a foreign applicant, you must complete the following steps:

1. Request the approval to apply by sending a letter to the Government of Sierra Leone through the Monuments and Relics Commission
2. Demonstrate your Sierra Leone descent through maternal or paternal lineage using a certificate of ancestry
3. Provide your birth certificate
4. Provide at least two notarized reference letters from individuals of high reputation from your State of Residence
5. Submit a certified State and Police Report showing you don’t have a criminal record

3. Sierra Leone Citizenship by Marriage

Although you can obtain a Sierra Leone citizenship through marriage, there is a notable gender-based inconsistency in the application criteria.

Foreign women who marry Sierra Leonean men can obtain citizenship immediately upon application, provided they meet general application criteria, including:

• Being of age
• Taking the oath of allegiance to Sierra Leone
• Paying the necessary application fees

Acquiring citizenship through marriage is significantly more complicated for foreign men married to Sierra Leonean women. In addition to meeting the general criteria, male applicants also have to undergo the full naturalization process.

4. Sierra Leone Citizenship by Naturalization

Naturalization is the most common way for expats to become Sierra Leone citizens. However, acquiring citizenship this way can take years and requires meeting strict requirements.

Notably, Sierra Leone has two tiers of residency requirements, based on the applicant’s descent:

1. Individuals of African descent must have a minimum continuous residence of eight years
2. Applicants not of African descent must have a minimum continuous residence of 15 years

Aside from the residency requirements, you’ll also have to demonstrate knowledge of at least one native Sierra Leonean language, an understanding of the country’s customs and traditions, and declare an intention to permanently reside in the country.

How To Get Sierra Leone Citizenship

After choosing your application path, you’ll need to take the following steps to obtain a Sierra Leone citizenship:

1. Prepare and submit documentation
2. Undergo additional checks
3. Take the oath of allegiance

Prepare and Submit Documentation

The first step in your formal application process is to gather the necessary information and documentation for Sierra Leone citizenship, and then submit it to the Sierra Leone Immigration Department (SLID) in Freetown.

The general documents you must prepare include:

• A completed application form
• Birth certificate
• Passport-sized photos
• Police clearance certificate
• Medical certificate
• Recommendation letters from Sierra Leone citizens

Depending on the method of pursuing citizenship, you may also need to submit additional documentation, such as a marriage certificate, a DNA test, or proof of sufficient investment. 

All foreign documents must be written in English or translated into English and authenticated. Their authenticity must be confirmed by your country’s foreign affairs office and the nearest Sierra Leone consulate or embassy.

Undergo Additional Checks and Wait for Approval

After you submit your application, it will be reviewed by Sierra Leone’s Immigration Department, which will also conduct background reviews, check your criminal history, and assess your financial data. 

Once your information has been confirmed, you’ll be called in for an interview with the immigration officers who will determine your eligibility for citizenship. If you get approved, all that’s left is to wait for the final decision.

Typically, the entire application process can take 6–12 months (excluding fast-track options). During this period, you may be required to provide additional documentation or attend interviews to clarify information in your application.

Take the Oath of Allegiance

Once you’ve been approved as a citizen, you must take the Oath of Allegiance to Sierra Leone to affirm you’ll obey its laws and express loyalty to the country.

After swearing the oath, you’ll get your naturalization certificate, tax number, and passport, officially becoming a citizen of Sierra Leone.

Does Sierra Leone Allow Dual Citizenship?

The country permits foreign nationals to retain their original citizenship when acquiring Sierra Leonean citizenship through any of the available pathways. For expats pursuing citizenship by investment, it’s also possible to include qualifying family members in the application process.

If you wish to include family members in your citizenship by investment application, they’ll still have to complete the following to qualify:

• Undergo strict due diligence checks
• Demonstrate a relationship through birth or marriage certificates
• Take an oath of allegiance to Sierra Leone

While Sierra Leone permits dual citizenship, it’s essential that your home country allows it as well. For example, countries such as the UK and the U.S. permit their citizens to hold multiple passports, whereas San Marino, Monaco, and Singapore do not. Before initiating the citizenship process, make sure your country allows it by consulting official government sources.

The Tax Implications of a Sierra Leone Citizenship

Sierra Leone employs a residency-based tax system, and understanding how it works is a key factor in evaluating your relocation decision. Citizens of Sierra Leone are subject to a tiered personal tax based on monthly income:

Monthly Income (SLL)	Tax Percentage
Below 600,000	0%
600,001–1,2,000,000	15%
SLL 1,2,000,001–1,800,000	20%
SLL 1,800,001–2,4,000,000	25%
Over 2,4,000,000	30%

In addition to personal tax, Sierra Leone residents are also subject to taxes on rental income, dividends, and interest, ranging from 10% to 15%.

To be considered a tax resident of Sierra Leone, you have to meet one of the following conditions:

• Spend at least 182 days of the current calendar year in Sierra Leone
• Have permanent residency in the country
• Make Sierra Leone the center of vital interest

Businesses in Sierra Leone are taxed at a fixed 25% rate, regardless of whether their base of operations is located in the country. Foreign investors are incentivised through tax exemptions, but their projects must meet specific investment, industry, and size restrictions to qualify.

Tax residents of Sierra Leone are subject to taxation on their worldwide income, regardless of where it is earned or generated. However, the country has double taxation agreements with several countries, including the UK, South Africa, and Turkey, which means you may be exempt from paying the same taxes twice.

The Benefits of Sierra Leone Citizenship

Becoming a Sierra Leone citizen means that you qualify for all of the benefits provided to nationals. These include:

Benefit	Explanation
Low taxes	Sierra Leone’s tax on personal income starts at 0% and only goes up to a maximum of 30%, with other individual taxes being mostly in the 10%–15% range. This is notably lower than in many countries
Tax incentives	Sierra Leone offers tax incentives for foreign investors, mainly exemptions if the projects meet ownership or investment criteria
ECOWAS membership	Sierra Leone is a part of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which is often called Africa’s EU. Citizens are allowed to freely reside and work in any of the member states
Easier access to African investment opportunities	West Africa is becoming a hub for foreign investors, and Sierra Leone’s ECOWAS membership enables citizens to invest without dealing with residency barriers
No physical presence requirement	If you’re pursuing the investment path, you don’t have to meet any physical presence requirements to acquire citizenship

The Drawbacks of Sierra Leone Citizenship

While Sierra Leonean citizenship may be appealing to high-net-worth individuals, it comes with several important limitations worth considering.

Some of the crucial factors to keep in mind include:

• Limited mobility: Although a Sierra Leone passport allows holders to work, live, and invest freely in ECOWAS states, it also only allows visa-free access to 67 states
• Long processing times: If you pursue citizenship through means other than investment, the application process can take 6–12 months. For expats pursuing citizenship through naturalization, the process can take more than a decade 
• High initial investment: Acquiring citizenship through investment requires an investment of USD 100,000–USD 140,000 without the additional family sponsorship fees. The Go-For-Gold option requires a minimum non-refundable investment of USD 65,000 plus the cost of purchasing one kilogram of gold

When Should You Consider Sierra Leone Citizenship?

Acquiring Sierra Leonean citizenship is a great option for foreign investors seeking an entry point into the growing West African market, as well as those with long-term residence ties to the country.

You should consider Sierra Leone citizenship if:

1. You’re looking to maintain and grow your wealth through purchasing gold as an investment, since the 2% discount will significantly add up
2. You’d like to optimize your tax liability through the country’s low personal tax rates
3. You’re considering starting a business in industries such as agriculture, tourism, or import, and would like to benefit from the country’s tax incentives
4. You want to travel more easily between West African countries

Are There Other Pathways to a Sierra Leone Residency?

Aside from citizenship, Sierra Leone offers several other options to individuals looking to relocate or invest in the country. These include business visas for entrepreneurs and employment visas (also called residence permits for employment) for expats relocating to work with a local company.

Business visas are primarily intended for self-employed expats who can either operate a business within Sierra Leone or are looking to establish a business project. There are two primary visa options:

1. A single-entry visa, which is valid for up to 90 days from issuance and allows stays of up to 30 days
2. A multiple-entry visa, which is valid for 365 days from issuance and allows several visits with a maximum duration of 30 days each, for a total of 120 days per calendar year

To apply for either of these visas, you’ll need to submit the general application documentation, including a passport and passport-sized photos. Note that a business visa is directly related to the specific activity for which it was issued. If you stop one project and start another, you will have to apply for a new business visa.

Meanwhile, the employment visa is intended for expats relocating to Sierra Leone to work for a local company. These visas are strictly bound to the position they were provided for and last as long as your employment there. To qualify, you must have employer sponsorship and meet strict criteria regarding qualifications and experience in the field.

With multiple pathways to live, work, or invest in Sierra Leone, having expert guidance can make the process faster, smoother, and less stressful. To streamline your path to Sierra Leone citizenship and find the option that meets your relocation and financial goals, leverage the help of experts at Nomad Capitalist.

Obtain Sierra Leone Citizenship Effortlessly With Nomad Capitalist

Nomad Capitalist is an advisory firm that has helped 1,500+ high-net-worth individuals apply for citizenship, protect their assets, and optimize their taxes in over 100 countries. We achieve this by focusing on your unique circumstances and building a step-by-step strategy around them, helping you:

• Reduce cross-border tax liability
• Create an offshore tax plan that aligns with your goals
• Prevent double taxation

All of these services are included in our Action Plan—a personalized strategy designed to help you meet your goals, whether that includes citizenship or a different type of residency. You can start by filling out a short online application to determine if we’re the right fit. If so, we:

1. Set up a one-on-one onboarding call to learn about your unique circumstances and needs
2. Use that information to create a comprehensive Action Plan and present it to you
3. Handle the administrative work and put the Plan into motion over 12 months
4. Provide you with ongoing expert support for any updates to the Action Plan and other concerns or questions

Partner with Nomad Capitalist today to navigate Sierra Leone’s legal landscape effortlessly and enjoy the benefits of citizenship without dealing with the stress of bureaucracy.