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ECOWAS Visa-Free Entry

Sierra LeoneFree movement

Explore the five recorded questions, answers and sources for this pathway.

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Explore pathways in Sierra Leone Read the five questions ↓

Which citizenship, status or regional agreement creates the person's right to move/reside?

ECOWAS Protocol A/P.1/5/79: Community citizens have the right to enter, reside and establish in Member States; ECOWAS citizens need no visa to travel to Sierra Leone.

See recorded sources

Under which circumstances can the person reside: worker, self-employed, student, jobseeker, self-funded person or another recognised basis?

Visa-free visits are for up to 90 days; Community citizens admitted without a visa who wish to reside must obtain an ECOWAS residence card or permit, and the residence right is granted for seeking and carrying out income-earning employment. The official source does not state a student or self-funded residence basis.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • Other bases (study, self-funded) are not stated.
  • https://www.ecowas.int/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/PROTOCOL-RELATING-TO-FREE-MOVEMENT-OF-PERSONS.pdf
    2. A citizen of the Community visiting any Member State for a period not exceeding ninety (90) days shall enter the territory of that Member State through the official entry point free of visa requirements.
  • https://www.ecowas.int/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/SU17521.pdf
    each of the Member States shall grant to citizens of the Community who are nationals of other Member States, the right of residence in its territory for the purpose of seeking and carrying out income earning employment.
  • https://www.ecowas.int/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/SU17521.pdf
    ARTICLE 5 Citizens of the Community who are nationals of Member States admitted without visa into the territory of one Member State and desiring to reside in the territory of that Member State, shall be obliged to obtain an ECOWAS RESIDENCE CARD or a RESIDENCE PERMIT ARTICLE 6 The applicant for the RESIDENCE CARD or RESIDENCE PERMIT in the territory of any Member State, shall deposit with the Department of Immigration of the host Member State, an application for a Residence Card or Residence Permit in accordance with the rules and regulations existing in each Member State.

What entry, registration or residence-document formalities remain?

Entry requires a valid travel document and an international health certificate; SLID lists a valid passport, identity card or Emergency Travelling Certificate. Stays over 90 days require permission for an extension from the appropriate authority.

See recorded sources

Which non-member-country family members can accompany or join, and what broad rights do they receive?

The checked official sources did not provide enough route-specific evidence to confirm which non-member family members can join and their rights.

When do permanent/long-term rights arise and what continuity, absence or retention conditions matter?

The checked official sources did not provide enough route-specific evidence to confirm when permanent rights arise and the continuity or absence rules.

These are the answers currently recorded in the catalogue. A missing or partial answer is not an eligibility decision.

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