Sierra LeoneUnited Kingdom: Visa required

Sierra LeoneUnited Kingdom

Do Sierra Leone passport holders need a visa for United Kingdom?

Visa required

Yes. Sierra Leone passport holders need to obtain a visa in advance before travelling to United Kingdom.

A visa must be obtained in advance, typically from an embassy or consulate, before travel.

Source: gov.uk (checked July 18, 2026).

RequirementVisa required

Maximum stayLength of stay varies

ScopeTourism, ordinary passport

Action before travelYes, arrange in advance

Data as of2026-10-19

Distance4,931 km, straight line (~6h 18m nonstop)

Visa-free access to United Kingdom114 of 228 nationalities tracked

Travelling the other way? United Kingdom passport holders visiting Sierra Leone: Visa on arrival.

United Kingdom drives on the left, the opposite side to Sierra Leone. If you're renting a car, budget extra care at first, especially at junctions and roundabouts.

Visa-free alternatives near United Kingdom

Sierra Leone passport holders can visit these nearby destinations without a visa in advance:

Other visa-free destinations for Sierra Leone passport holders

See all Sierra Leone destinations →

Frequently asked questions

Do Sierra Leone passport holders need a visa for United Kingdom?

Yes. Sierra Leone passport holders need to obtain a visa in advance before travelling to United Kingdom.

How far is United Kingdom from Sierra Leone?

About 4,931 km in a straight line, roughly ~6h 18m nonstop by air.

What currency is used in United Kingdom?

British pound (GBP).

What is the emergency number in United Kingdom?

112 / 999.

Does United Kingdom drive on the same side of the road as Sierra Leone?

United Kingdom drives on the left, the opposite side to Sierra Leone. If you're renting a car, budget extra care at first, especially at junctions and roundabouts.

What time zone is United Kingdom in?

London (UTC+1).

What is the nearest airport to London?

London City Airport (LCY), about 13 km away.

How many countries can enter United Kingdom without a visa?

114 of the 228 nationalities this site tracks can enter United Kingdom visa-free, with a visa on arrival, or with an eTA.

What nearby countries can Sierra Leone passport holders visit without a visa instead of United Kingdom?

Andorra, San Marino.

Visa rules change frequently and can depend on your specific circumstances. This site is compiled from public government sources and is provided for general information only. Always confirm requirements with the official immigration authority or a consulate of your destination before you travel.

About Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone, officially the Republic of Sierra Leone, is a country on the west coast of West Africa. It is bordered to the southeast by Liberia and by Guinea to the north. Sierra Leone's land area is 73,252 km2 (28,283 sq mi). It has a tropical climate and environments ranging from savannahs to rainforests. As of the 2023 census, Sierra Leone had a population of 8,460,512. Freetown is its capital and largest city.

CapitalFreetown

RegionWestern Africa

Population8.8M

Area71,740 km²

CurrencySierra Leonean leone (1 USD ≈ 24357.93 SLL)

LanguagesEnglish

Calling code+232

Drives on theright

TimezoneFreetown (UTC+0)

Nearest airportLungi International Airport (FNA), 15 km

Emergency number019 / 999

UNESCO sites2

Income levelLow income

GDP per capita$846 (2025)

Tourist arrivals71K (2019)

Climate in Freetown

Warmest April, coolest August, driest January, sunniest January. Best time to visit: January, February, March, April, May, November, December.

Monthly climate normals for Freetown, 2020
Month	High	Low	Rainfall	Sunshine
January	30.2°C	23.7°C	1mm	314h
February	29.9°C	24.8°C	1mm	307h
March	29.4°C	25.7°C	17mm	310h
April	29.4°C	25.8°C	65mm	260h
May	28.7°C	25.3°C	192mm	273h
June	28°C	24.1°C	260mm	238h
July	26.2°C	23.1°C	735mm	175h
August	25.8°C	23.1°C	664mm	159h
September	26.6°C	23.4°C	385mm	198h
October	27.8°C	24°C	302mm	264h
November	28.7°C	24.4°C	130mm	299h
December	28.6°C	24.7°C	69mm	309h

Avg. high/low, °C (left axis) Rainfall, mm (bar maxes out at 250mm/month)

Daily normals for 2020. Hover a month for exact figures.

Travel guide

Sierra Leone is on the West Coast of Africa. The potential for tourism is vast, but largely unrealised, despite the end of the Civil War in 2002, and tour operators are looking closely at what the country has to offer. Sierra Leone is rich in natural resources. It has some of the best beaches in the world, a rich heritage, and some stunning scenery, but its greatest asset is its welcoming, friendly populace.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Gola National Park
Gola-Tiwai complex

Upcoming public holidays

December 25, 2026Christmas Day

December 26, 2026Boxing Day

January 1, 2027New Year's Day

Full source list on About.

About United Kingdom

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Northwestern Europe, off the coast of the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, with a population of over 69 million in 2025. The UK includes the island of Great Britain, the north-eastern part of the island of Ireland, and most of the smaller islands within the British Isles, covering 94,354 square miles (244,376 km2). It shares a land border with the Republic of Ireland and is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, the North Sea, the English Channel, the Celtic Sea and the Irish Sea, while maintaining sovereignty over the Crown Dependencies and the British Overseas Territories. The capital and largest city of England and the UK is London; Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast are the national capitals of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, respectively.

CapitalLondon

RegionNorthern Europe

Population69.5M

Area242,900 km²

CurrencyBritish pound (1 USD ≈ 0.75 GBP)

LanguagesEnglish

Calling code+44

Drives on theleft

TimezoneLondon (UTC+1)

Nearest airportLondon City Airport (LCY), 13 km

Emergency number112 / 999

UNESCO sites37

Income levelHigh income

GDP per capita$57,602 (2025)

Tourist arrivals11.1M (2020)

Climate in London

Warmest August, coolest December, driest May, sunniest May.

Monthly climate normals for London, 2020
Month	High	Low	Rainfall	Sunshine
January	9.4°C	3.8°C	59mm	127h
February	10.2°C	3.6°C	103mm	157h
March	10.8°C	3.1°C	45mm	229h
April	16.6°C	5.6°C	34mm	323h
May	19.1°C	7.8°C	5mm	397h
June	20.5°C	11.5°C	80mm	324h
July	21.7°C	12.9°C	47mm	320h
August	23.5°C	15.3°C	74mm	313h
September	20°C	11°C	25mm	266h
October	14.1°C	8.2°C	159mm	169h
November	12.4°C	5.9°C	48mm	141h
December	8.1°C	3°C	85mm	117h

Avg. high/low, °C (left axis) Rainfall, mm (bar maxes out at 250mm/month)

Daily normals for 2020. Hover a month for exact figures.

Travel guide

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a constitutional monarchy comprising most of the British Isles. It is a union of four constituent countries: England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, each of which has something unique and exciting for visitors.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Blaenavon Industrial Landscape
Blenheim Palace
Buildings and architecture of Bath
Canterbury Cathedral, St Augustine's Abbey, and St Martin's Church
Castles and Town Walls of King Edward in Gwynedd
Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape
Derwent Valley Mills
Durham Castle and Cathedral
Flow Country
Forth Bridge

Upcoming public holidays

November 30, 2026Saint Andrew's Day

December 25, 2026Christmas Day

December 28, 2026Boxing Day

Full source list on About.