Sierra Leone - Getting In

Sierra Leone's borders are as lax and corrupt as you can imagine. Most visitors are Lebanese diamond traders who zip in and out with small amounts of stones. Someone who enters with a backpack and a ponytail might provoke a few minutes of respectful silence before being relieved of all his possessions. Visas can be had for a stay of 30-90 days and can be obtained at Sierra Leone embassies and consulates. The country maintains embassies in the United States, Great Britain, Germany, Belgium, Sweden, the Netherlands, Egypt, Austria, Switzerland, Spain and Italy-to mention the major sources of visas. In countries where Sierra Leone does not maintain an embassy, it may be possible to obtain a visa through the British High Commission. The Sierra Leone embassy in the United States:

Sierra Leone Embassy

1701 19th Street, NW

Washington, DC 20009

Tel.: 202-939-9261

http://www.embassy.org/embassies/sl.htm

If you are a U.S. citizen applying for a visa through the Washington embassy, you will most likely be required to provide a letter from both your employer, stating that you've indeed got a job to which you must return, and your bank, stating that you have enough funds to motivate you to return. Officials at the embassy may require you to first send a self-addressed stamped envelope for a list of visa requirements. A 90-day single-entry visa costs US$20. You'll need two passport-sized photos and quite possibly proof of your round-trip airline ticket. Allow two weeks for processing.

Although entry permits for Sierra Leone can be obtained in West African states, visas and entry permits cannot be had at the border.