By Sallieu S. Kanu
April 7, 2026: The Government of Sierra Leone has confirmed that, effective April 1, 2026, biometric residence and work permit cards are the only legally recognized documents for non-nationals living and working in the country. All previous paper-based permits have been declared invalid for identification, residency, or employment purposes.
The announcement, jointly issued by the Ministry of Employment, Labour and Social Security and the Sierra Leone Immigration Department, follows a transition period that began in January 2026. Non-nationals were initially given 45 days, later extended by one month, to replace their paper permits with biometric cards.
Nationwide Enforcement
Authorities have begun compliance checks at airports, border entry points, workplaces, and through field inspections. Non-nationals are required to present valid biometric permits upon request by authorized officers.
Failure to comply may result in denial of entry or exit, administrative sanctions, penalties, or revocation of residency and work authorization. Employers are also reminded of their legal obligation to verify the status of all non-national employees, with violations subject to penalties under national regulations.
To facilitate compliance, government offices in Freetown, Bo, Kenema, Makeni, Kono, and Port Loko are operational, with trained personnel assisting applicants. Renewals and verification can also be completed via the official portal: www.unifiedpermit.gov.sl.
The Government emphasized that no further extensions will be granted, urging all non-nationals and employers to regularize their status immediately. Officials reaffirmed Sierra Leone’s commitment to building a secure, transparent, and efficient migration management system.