SIERRA LEONE · TRAVEL
Key Facts
- Visa A visa is required, as an online e-visa or on arrival, and US passport holders should confirm the fee.
- Yellow fever A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required to enter, and malaria is a listed health risk.
- Health form Every traveller files an online health declaration within 72 hours of travel and keeps the QR code.
- Ebola Arrivals face Ebola screening, though no Sierra Leone case is confirmed; the outbreak is in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
- US flight rule From Tuesday, 3 November, US-bound passengers must sign a statement of no Congo stay in 21 days.
- US advisory Sierra Leone sits at US Level 2, Exercise Increased Caution, for crime, unrest and weak health care.
Americans heading to Sierra Leone need a visa, a yellow fever certificate and an online health form. A new US rule from Tuesday, 3 November, adds a signed statement for the flight home.
Sierra Leone, a West African country on the Atlantic coast, asks every arriving visitor for three documents. They are a visa, a yellow fever vaccination certificate and a health declaration filed online within 72 hours of travel.
The health form matters more this autumn because of Ebola, a severe viral disease, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo virus, which has no approved vaccine or treatment.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a federal agency, counted 10,305 confirmed cases on 28 October. They span the Congo and four other countries, and Sierra Leone is not among them.
In Plain English
- E-visa an online visa application, an alternative to buying a visa at the airport.
- Yellow fever certificate proof of a vaccination against a mosquito-borne virus, checked at entry.
- Health Travel Portal the Sierra Leone government website where every traveller files a health declaration.
- Ebola a severe viral disease; the current outbreak is in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, not Sierra Leone.
- Attestation a signed statement, here about whether you were in the Congo in the last 21 days.
Visa and Passport Rules
Sierra Leone requires a visa, which travellers can get online as an e-visa or on arrival. The UK government, describing the rules for its own citizens, lists US$80 in cash for an arrival visa.
A single-entry visa is valid for 90 days from issue and allows stays of up to 30 days. A multiple-entry visa lasts 365 days, with up to 30 days per visit.
The passport must be valid for at least six months after the visa application date. US citizens should confirm their own fee and form with Sierra Leone’s embassy in Washington before booking.
Health Rules at the Airport
Sierra Leone requires a certificate proving yellow fever vaccination to enter, the UK government says. It lists malaria, cholera and rabies among other health risks.
The UK government advises checking vaccine recommendations at least eight weeks before travel. US travellers should ask a doctor or travel clinic about malaria pills and other vaccines.
Every traveller entering or leaving Sierra Leone must file a health declaration on the official Health Travel Portal. The Ministry of Health says the filing is required 72 hours before travel.
Travellers must give accurate details, including a seat number where possible, and keep the QR code or reference number the system issues. The UK government says non-compliance can bring delays or refusal of entry or departure.
Health officers may also screen arrivals for Ebola, and the UK government tells travellers to expect enhanced checks. The World Health Organization (WHO), the UN health agency, declared the Congo outbreak a public health emergency of international concern in May.
The New US Flight Rule
On Wednesday, 28 October, Brian Christine, the US Assistant Secretary for Health, signed a CDC order on Ebola. It takes effect at 11:59 pm Eastern Standard Time on Tuesday, 3 November, for flights leaving at or after that time.
Every passenger boarding a flight to the US must sign a statement about the previous 21 days. It says they were not in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, including its airports.
The order covers flights from Freetown and connections through the US, but not flights that only cross US airspace. Airlines must refuse boarding to anyone without a signed statement.
A person who left the Congo can board on day 22, counting the day of departure as day zero. Knowingly false answers can be prosecuted under federal law.
The order lasts until it is rescinded or until 18 December 2026, whichever comes first. For most Sierra Leone travellers the form is a formality.
Safety and Health on the Ground
The US Embassy in Freetown lists Sierra Leone at Level 2, Exercise Increased Caution, citing crime, unrest and inadequate health infrastructure. The embassy page was last modified on 15 October 2026.
The UK government says violent and organised crime is rising, and it advises against walking alone at night. It also warns against taxis, minibuses, motorised rickshaws and motorbike taxis after robberies of foreign visitors.
Hospitals are severely limited, and many outside Freetown accept only cash. Ambulances are unreliable in the capital, so travel insurance with medical evacuation matters.
The emergency number is 117 for ambulance, fire and police. US citizens can reach the embassy on (232) 99 105 000, or on 844-528-6611 from outside the country.
The UK government warns of heavy penalties for diamond smuggling, including prison sentences. Anyone dealing in gems should check the rules with Sierra Leone’s authorities first.
What It Means for US Readers
From Tuesday, 3 November, airlines will ask every US-bound passenger, including those leaving Freetown, to sign the Congo statement. Allow time at check-in and keep proof of your travel dates.
Level 2 is the second of four US advisory levels, so Americans are asked to take added care rather than stay away. Check the current level at travel.state.gov before booking.
What Is Not Known
The State Department’s own advisory page for Sierra Leone could not be opened on Saturday, 31 October. The Level 2 figure therefore comes from the US Embassy’s page, and the issue date of the advisory is not confirmed.
The visa fee for US passport holders and the airport security fee are not confirmed here. Sierra Leone’s immigration site did not load, so the UK government’s description of the rules is used.
No Sierra Leone case appears on the CDC list of 28 October. Case counts change daily, so check the CDC situation page before you fly.
What Comes Next
The US statement rule starts on Tuesday, 3 November, and runs to 18 December unless it is extended or ended earlier. It does not close Sierra Leone’s airports or bar travellers from Freetown.
The country guide Sierra Leone Explained 2026 gives the background, and a separate report follows the Congo Ebola count. The guide to Sierra Leone and its neighbours covers the region.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Americans need a visa for Sierra Leone?
Yes, visitors need a visa, available as an online e-visa or on arrival. Confirm the current fee for US passport holders with Sierra Leone’s embassy in Washington.
Is a yellow fever certificate required for Sierra Leone?
Yes, Sierra Leone requires a certificate proving yellow fever vaccination to enter. Ask a doctor or travel clinic about other vaccines and malaria prevention before you go.
Is there Ebola in Sierra Leone?
No Sierra Leone case appears on the CDC list of 28 October. Arrivals still face health screening because of the outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
What changes for flights to the US on 3 November?
The rule starts at 11:59 pm Eastern Standard Time on Tuesday, 3 November. Every US-bound passenger must sign a statement of no Congo stay in 21 days, or the airline must refuse boarding.
Sources: US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Ebola attestation order (signed 28 October 2026); CDC, Ebola situation summary (updated 30 October 2026); UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, Sierra Leone entry requirements (updated 19 June 2026, still current at 25 October 2026); Sierra Leone Ministry of Health, Health Travel Portal launch; World Health Organization, Director-General remarks on the Ebola outbreak (20 May 2026); US Embassy in Freetown, Sierra Leone (all accessed 31 October 2026).
This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated newsroom system. How we use AI · Report an error · Editorial responsibility: Matthias Camenzind, Editor-in-Chief