Sierra Leone Citizenship by Investment Program: Benefits, Requirements, and Application

To attract foreign capital and support economic growth, Sierra Leone launched a new fast-track citizenship program aimed at high-net-worth investors and diaspora descendants. The program enables investors to circumvent the eight years of residency needed for traditional naturalization and obtain citizenship more quickly.

This guide will help you by covering the standard conditions of the Sierra Leone citizenship by investment program, as well as the following:

• Investment requirements and eligibility criteria
• Application process and key steps
• Common challenges and important considerations

Citizenship Pathways Within Sierra Leone’s CBI Program

The Sierra Leonean government has indicated a preference for investors with substantial means and diaspora descendants eager to reconnect with Sierra Leone. With this in mind, the country’s citizenship by investment (CBI) program provides two routes to citizenship, each requiring a one-time financial contribution:

The fast-track naturalization option is available to citizens from most countries, while the heritage naturalization option is reserved for individuals of African descent. A DNA test confirming African lineage is required as part of the application process.

Both programs offer family reunification by allowing you to add immediate family members for an additional one-time fee of $10,000 per dependent. You can include the following dependents in the application:

• Spouse
• Minor children
• Financially dependent parents

Although the program is advertised as a CBI scheme, the contribution you will make is technically a donation. All funds are directed toward the government’s fund and are used for economic and infrastructural development. While the donation is non-refundable, the program has several advantages that make it worth considering.

Benefits of Sierra Leone’s CBI Program

The most notable benefit of the Sierra Leone CBI program is efficiency. The fast-track naturalization process takes less than 90 days, while heritage naturalization may be completed in under 60 days.

This is significantly faster than many countries’ CBI programs, which can require several months. If you wish to relocate quickly, you may want to consider the program once the formal guidelines are published.

Another considerable advantage is the lack of additional fees. The aforementioned contribution is all-inclusive, so there are no processing or additional due diligence fees.

Upon program completion, you can enjoy various benefits, most notably:

• Dual citizenship: Sierra Leone offers dual citizenship, so you do not need to renounce your original one to qualify for the CBI program
• Access to ECOWAS markets: Sierra Leone is a member of ECOWAS, so its citizens enjoy visa-free travel and work rights in all ECOWAS countries (15 West African states)
• Political rights: Unlike various countries, Sierra Leone lets naturalized citizens vote, but the law still prohibits holding certain public offices if you are not a native-born citizen

How To Apply for the Sierra Leone CBI Program

You should expect the application process to include the following steps:

1. Documentation preparation: You should collect standard naturalization documents, such as your passport, proof of funds, police clearance certificate, and documents related to your investment or ancestry. You will also need a CBI application form, which should be available at the Sierra Leone Immigration Department (SLID)
2. Application submission: The completed form and the accompanying documents should be submitted to the SLID. Early program announcements indicate that applications will be reviewed by an inter-agency committee, with final approval by the President
3. Due diligence: The immigration authorities will conduct security and background checks to ensure your eligibility for Sierra Leonean citizenship. As per the currently available information, this process should take between 60 and 90 days
4. Contribution transfer: If no red flags are identified during due diligence, you will receive approval and be required to pay the contribution according to your chosen citizenship route. You will then take an oath of allegiance and receive your citizenship certificate

Like other CBI programs, Sierra Leone’s scheme emphasizes the importance of good character. A history of fraudulent activities or a criminal record can serve as grounds for immediate rejection.

Sierra Leone Gold Residency: An Alternative to the CBI Program

The release of the CBI program followed the December 2024 launch of Sierra Leone’s “GO-FOR-GOLD” permanent residency scheme. This scheme allows foreigners to obtain permanent resident status by making a bullion investment. Specifically, you need to purchase at least 1kg of Sierra Leonean 99.99% gold and pay a program fee that depends on the applicant:

There’s also a due diligence fee of $5,000 for up to five people or $10,000 for 6–10 people (with $900 per applicant above this threshold). 

The application process is fully remote, so you do not need to visit Sierra Leone either during the process or after obtaining residency. There are also no maintenance requirements, so you can be a resident without ever visiting the country.

The processing time is even shorter than a CBI application, with approvals granted within 40 days.

Besides the permanent residency, you also gain a membership in the GFG Club, which provides:

• Options to purchase an additional 19kg of gold at preferential prices
• Personalized financial and legal advice
• A direct investment channel for participating in Sierra Leone’s development

While the GO-FOR-GOLD program does not grant citizenship, it can serve as a precursor. You can either spend eight years as a resident before applying for standard naturalization or wait until the official CBI guidelines are published to apply for the program.

Why You Should Engage a Professional Before Applying for Sierra Leone’s CBI Program

Main reasons you should not apply for Sierra Leone’s CBI program without expert guidance include:

• Due diligence preparation: A financial advisor can coordinate verifications of details like the source of funds and criminal clearance, which helps pass due diligence without obstacles
• Coordination with government offices: Only the SLID and the Office of the Chief Immigration Officer are authorized to receive and process CBI applications. A licensed consultant can ensure you follow proper application channels with all document notarizations, translations, and payments properly managed
• Financial planning: If you become the country’s resident instead of citizen, you may encounter considerable tax consequences. A tax professional can assess worldwide income exposure and identify investment incentives under the National Revenue Authority

You can enjoy the benefits of professional assistance whether you are applying for Sierra Leonean citizenship or residency. To complete either process effortlessly, consider enlisting the help of advisors at Nomad Capitalist.

Complete Sierra Leone’s CBI Application Confidently With Nomad Capitalist

Nomad Capitalist is an advisory firm trusted by over 1,500 high-net-worth expats who have relocated to more than 100 countries worldwide using our 360-degree services. We specialize in all the key aspects of expatriation, from procedural tasks to long-term tax optimization and wealth management.

Such granular support is available through our Action Plan—a comprehensive, personalized strategy that takes into account your current circumstances, financial goals, and target lifestyle. Here is how it works:

1. You complete a short questionnaire to determine if we are a good fit
2. We conduct a 45-minute onboarding call to gather all the relevant information
3. Our team diagnoses your situation and potential obstacles to build the Action Plan
4. We present the Plan and make any modifications if needed
5. After your approval, we implement the Plan over the next 12 months
6. We provide continuous lifetime support and assistance

With the Action Plan, you can expand both your passport and investment portfolios without guesswork. We will help you make informed decisions and take care of the administrative details of the relocation process to free up your time and energy for meaningful activities.

If you want to mitigate relocation risks and ensure a streamlined expatriation, create a custom strategy today!