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Visa requirements · updated Aug 2026

Do Sierra Leone citizens need a visa for United States?

Visa required

Sierra Leone citizens need a visa to enter United States. Apply in advance at an embassy or visa centre.

VISAXSAug 2026
Visa required
Sierra Leone → United States
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Everything for your trip to United States

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Sierra Leone vs United States: passport comparison

Sierra Leone

39

visa-free countries

Global rank: #144 · mobility 82.7

United States

116

visa-free countries

Global rank: #40 · mobility 166.1
24

countries both Sierra Leone and United States can enter visa-free together

Sierra Leone + United States: passport compatibility

34%

of the world — where both passports have the same visa access

Where Sierra Leone and United States travel together — by entry type:

24 both visa-free
15 both visa on arrival
14 both e-visa / eTA
13 both need a visa
131 access differs

Where Sierra Leone and United States can travel visa-free together

Travelling as a pair with two different passports? Here is the full list of countries where BOTH of you can enter without a prior visa — plus where your access differs.

US visa refusals for Sierra Leone citizens

The US State Department publishes the refusal rate for B visas (tourism and business) separately for each nationality. We took the two most recent fiscal years — so you see not just the level, but which way it is moving.

70.6%
of B-visa applications from Sierra Leone citizens were refused in FY2025
+39.3 pp above the all-country median (31.3%)
+1.2 pp year-over-year: FY2024 was 69.4%, now 70.6%
#13strictest of 197 countries
141of 197 countries saw refusals rise year-over-year

The “adjusted” refusal rate follows the State Department methodology used for the Visa Waiver Program: it covers B-1/B-2 visas (tourism and business) and no other categories. For countries with few applicants the percentage swings between years — an artefact of small numbers, not of policy. The median and rank are our own calculations on top of the official figures. Source: U.S. Department of State  ·  All countries →

How long the interview queue is in Sierra Leone

Even when a visa is available in principle, everything comes down to the appointment. The State Department publishes the wait until the next free slot at every consulate — we broke that down by country.

1 month
until the next free B1/B2 interview slot — at the Freetown post
The all-country median is under 2 weeks.
1 month Freetown · student visas: 1 month

Snapshot of State Department data taken July 2026. Waits shift weekly with consular workload — check the official figure before you apply. Mapping consular posts to countries and picking the best wait per country is our own work. Source: U.S. Department of State

How the entry rule changed: Sierra Leone → United States

We keep our own archive of visa-rule snapshots and diff them against each other. Here is what changed over the observed period.

The Sierra Leone → United States rule itself held steady over the observed period. The context around it did move:

0passports gained easier entry to United States
1passports saw United States tighten its rules
1rule changes for the Sierra Leone passport, 1 of them easing
July 2024 — June 2026our archive observation window

Comparison is built from our own dataset snapshots; the date marks when we recorded the change, not the official decision date. See all changes →

United States: good to know

Washington, D.C.

Capital

US Dollar (USD)

Currency

Eastern Time (UTC-5)

Time zone

+1

Calling code

A, B

Power plug

120V / 60Hz

Voltage

Right-hand

Driving side

Where else Sierra Leone goes visa-free

Check another route

Documents you'll usually need for United States

The usual basics for the trip. Always confirm exact requirements with the embassy or consulate.

Valid passport

Valid at least 6 more months

Return / onward ticket

Proof you will leave the country

Proof of funds

Enough money for your stay

Accommodation

Hotel booking or an invitation

Travel insurance

Recommended, sometimes required

Visa

Obtained at the embassy in advance

Frequently asked

Do Sierra Leone citizens need a visa for United States?
Sierra Leone citizens need a visa to enter United States. Apply in advance at an embassy or visa centre.
Which passport is stronger — Sierra Leone or United States?
The United States passport is stronger: 116 visa-free countries versus 39. Global rank: Sierra Leone #144, United States #40.
Where can Sierra Leone and United States citizens travel together visa-free?
Both passports get visa-free access to 24 of the same countries.
What documents do I need for United States?
Usually: a valid passport (6+ months), a return ticket, proof of funds and accommodation. Plus a visa obtained from the embassy in advance. Always confirm exact requirements with the embassy.
Can visa requirements change between Sierra Leone and United States?
Yes, visa rules change periodically. This data is current as of Aug 2026 — always confirm with the embassy before you travel.

Sierra Leone passport ranking

Where else the Sierra Leone passport can take you and how it ranks worldwide.

View the passport