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Sierra Leone: visas, tax & cost of living

Sierra Leone: honest, sourced estimates on entry rules, the digital nomad visa, tax residency and the cost of living, tailored to your passport.

Sierra Leone: visas, tax & cost of living
Your passport

United KingdomSierra Leone

Your move to Sierra Leone on a United Kingdom passport

  • VisitFairly easyVisa on arrival, e-visa or travel authorization (ETA)
  • NomadMediumNo nomad visa, other route
  • RelocateMediumResidence with conditions

Visiting

You need an e-visa. Apply online before you travel and carry the approval. It is usually quick, but leave a few days of buffer.

Passport validity: Passport should be valid for at least 6 months from your arrival date with at least two blank pages.

At the border: Proof of yellow fever vaccination is required for all arriving travellers. The Immigration Department points visitors to the official eVisa portal, where non African Union nationals pay 80 USD for a single entry (valid 90 days) or 160 USD for multiple entries (valid 365 days), plus GST and a card processing fee. The eVisa allows stays of up to 30 days for tourism or business, does not permit paid work, and is issued on arrival once approved, so apply well in advance. The eVisa cannot be extended, and citizens of ECOWAS states cannot apply through this portal.

Working remotely

No dedicated nomad visa; the usual route is a standard residence permit.

Tax and residency

You are treated as resident for the whole tax year if you have a normal place of abode in Sierra Leone and are present at any time in that year, or if you are present for more than 182 days in a 12 month period that starts or ends in that year (Income Tax Act 2000, section 10). Residents are taxed on worldwide income; temporary residents (people who are not citizens or domiciled in Sierra Leone, do not intend to live there more than four years in total and have not yet been resident for more than four) are taxed only on Sierra Leone income plus foreign income remitted into the country (sections 11 and 15). (estimate)

The UK decides residence with its Statutory Residence Test (days in the UK plus your ties). As a non-resident you are usually taxed only on UK income; where one exists, a double-tax treaty with the destination decides who taxes what.

Practical

Currency: SLE. Cost of living: mid.

Healthcare: There is no reciprocal cover for foreigners and public facilities are very limited, so comprehensive private insurance with medical evacuation is strongly advised.

Driving: Carry an International Driving Permit with your national licence; it is accepted for about the first month, after which a local Sierra Leone licence is generally required.

Sources: Sierra Leone Immigration Department, FAQ · Sierra Leone Immigration eVisa portal · National Revenue Authority, Non Residents Coming to Sierra Leone · National Revenue Authority, tax laws (Income Tax Act 2000) · CDC Travelers Health, Sierra Leone · US State Department, Sierra Leone Travel Advisory · GOV.UK: tax on foreign income · HMRC: double-taxation treaties

Estimates, not advice. Confirm with the official sources before you act.

Frequently asked questions

Sierra Leone: is there a digital nomad visa?
No dedicated digital nomad visa; most people use a standard residence permit instead.
Sierra Leone: when do you become a tax resident?
You are treated as resident for the whole tax year if you have a normal place of abode in Sierra Leone and are present at any time in that year, or if you are present for more than 182 days in a 12 month period that starts or ends in that year (Income Tax Act 2000, section 10). Residents are taxed on worldwide income; temporary residents (people who are not citizens or domiciled in Sierra Leone, do not intend to live there more than four years in total and have not yet been resident for more than four) are taxed only on Sierra Leone income plus foreign income remitted into the country (sections 11 and 15).
Sierra Leone: what is the cost of living?
The cost of living is moderate and the local currency is the SLE. Treat any figures as estimates.
Sierra Leone: do you need health insurance?
There is no reciprocal cover for foreigners and public facilities are very limited, so comprehensive private insurance with medical evacuation is strongly advised.
Sierra Leone: can you drive on a foreign licence?
Carry an International Driving Permit with your national licence; it is accepted for about the first month, after which a local Sierra Leone licence is generally required.

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Last verified: 2026-06-26

Voymo gives general information to help you organise your move. It is not legal, tax, or immigration advice, always confirm with an official source or a qualified professional before you act.

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