The citizenship by investment program launched by Sierra Leone allows investors who make a donation to the Government to obtain accelerated naturalization (between 60 and 90 days) to become citizens of the country.

It is open to individuals from all countries (except North Korea) and there is a considerably discounted option for those who can prove their African genetic ancestry through DNA testing.

There are contribution options starting at $100,000 USD (with demonstrable African descent) or starting at $140,000 USD (for all other applicants), plus the due diligence fee.

Starting in October 2025, it is possible to add a business partner or co-investor to the request. Kinship is not required; in fact, being related to this person is not allowed. That co-investor also cannot add any of his dependents. The true advantage of incorporating this partner is that the contribution can be assumed in a shared way between both, significantly reducing the individual cost.

The indicated approval time is estimated to be around 60-90 days. You can have your passport in your hands in 60-90 more days.

The primary applicant must provide the following documents:

- Completed application form.
- Authentic copy of the passport data page.
- High quality biometric photo for the passport.
- Apostilled birth certificate.
- Apostilled marriage certificate.
- Proof of address.
- Results of the DNA test that proves African ancestry using DNA (only for applicants for the citizenship by inheritance option).
- Signed and notarized Pledge of Allegiance to Sierra Leone (a physical copy must be submitted at the end of the application process).
- Signed and notarized Section 9 financial self-sufficiency statement (a physical copy must be submitted at the end of the application process).

Important notes:

*Translations of documents into English must be certified as authentic translations by a sworn translator.
*The entire process can be submitted completely remotely and there is no need to travel to Sierra Leone to receive the passport.
*If you visit the country and want to obtain a local identification and residency card, you must present your fingerprints (which will be incorporated into your biometric profile).

Yes, it is possible.

North Korean citizens are excluded from submitting the application.

No, only dependent parents and children under 18 are eligible.

You must provide your apostilled birth and marriage certificates or those of your spouse stating the relationship.

The Sierra Leone Citizenship Amendment Act of 2021 removed racial restrictions on Sierra Leonean citizenship. A black-skinned African descent requirement previously existed, but it has already been removed from the law. This means that children can now inherit citizenship even if one or more of their parents are not of African descent.

Mother and father are treated equally, and citizenship can be transmitted from either parent to their children. Consequently, any child born abroad to a Sierra Leonean mother or father can apply, regardless of race, for citizenship by descent. Foreigners, even those who are not of African descent, can be naturalized as citizens by marriage, investment, or residence.

Despite the legal rights to citizenship for descendants, it is difficult to estimate how easy the naturalization process would be for them.

Yes, it is possible.

Yes, you only need to provide a high-quality biometric passport photo.

No, the Government does not share them.

There is no strict legal requirement to obtain a national identity document until you decide to reside in Sierra Leone.

Birthplace information is reflected in the Sierra Leonean passport as the one you use to apply.

Unfortunately, to obtain a driver's license and a national identity document, it is necessary to provide biometric fingerprints in Sierra Leone. The authorized program office can help you if needed.

Yes, it is optional. And it requires a legitimate justification for this, since such action can entail international problems.

First, you must obtain your certificate of naturalization. This process allows the name to be changed by public deeds (before a notary or commissioner of oaths). The name change is published in the official gazette, after which a new name certificate is issued and the national registry is updated. Later, you can request the issuance of a new passport that reflects the change of name and update that name in your tax identification number, national identity document, etc.

The exchange process takes approximately 2 weeks and can be done completely remotely.

The name changes made within the framework of the Sierra Leone Community Initiative are published in a small-circulation newspaper in the country, which does not have an online version in 2026.

In 2026, only birth certificates can be consulted publicly, and CBI applicants will not register them in Sierra Leone. Over time, a register of naturalized citizens will be created, but for the time being it does not exist in the law.

Any continental African heritage that goes back up to 5 generations and that is demonstrated in DNA testing.

No, black-skinned citizens of African countries do not need to provide a DNA test to apply through the naturalization by inheritance process.

There are no physical presence requirements. You simply have to assume an extra $10,000 USD to receive a tax certificate. The use of this certificate is limited and depends on your personal circumstances (and does not necessarily exempt you from tax obligations in other countries). It can be useful if you are a nomad and need a tax residency certificate.

Depending on the escrow service you select, an extra deposit fee of $2,000 USD may apply.

Sending USDT is preferable and there are no additional charges. If you transfer BTC, you must compensate for any deficit in USD equivalence before the issuance of the certificate of naturalization.

You only need to provide the source of funds if you choose to use the Hong Kong escrow option.

There are several options for choosing your escrow agent:

- Sierra Leone: USD and cryptocurrency are accepted.
- Client-Lawyer: USD and possibly USDT are accepted. It depends on the attorney selected as an escrow agent.
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The escrow procedure is as follows:

1.- The customer completes and signs the application form, which contains all the operating terms of the service.
2.- The customer submits the signed form together with the supporting documentation and indicates the preferred escrow option and the corresponding details.
3.- The request center prepares a request for funds addressed to the holder of the escrow funds designated by the customer.
4.- The tripartite escrow agreement is signed. The client sends the funds to the holder of the escrow funds, who certifies their arrival, and the application office proceeds to obtain the agreed immigration status.
5.- $5,000 USD is withdrawn from the escrow to begin the due diligence process, carried out by Harod Associates in the United Kingdom.
6.- After approval, the application office will work to obtain the certificate of naturalization, which serves as the base document for requesting documents such as passports, identity cards and additional services. Upon issuance of the certificate of naturalization, funds can be released from the escrow.

In short, program fees are sent to the escrow agent while the application is being properly processed. Upon approval of the application and the issuance of the certificate of naturalization, the funds are released. In case of rejected requests, 100% of the escrow funds are returned.

If a client has their own attorney that they want to use as an escrow agent, that agent's credentials are important. To be considered the holder of escrow funds, the agent must:

- To be known to the customer and to charge him his fees directly.
- Be regulated by a professional body.
- Comply with the money laundering and terrorist financing prevention (AML/CTF) requirements of the banking jurisdiction where the funds are deposited.