Sierra Leone Citizenship by Investment

Sierra Leone citizenship by investment is a unique opportunity to obtain a second passport for the whole family in as little as 3 months through purchasing gold or making a direct contribution, with no residency requirement and no exams.

Sierra Leone is a West African state known for rich deposits of gold and diamonds. In 2024-2025 the government launched the updated Go-For-Gold initiative to attract foreign investors through economic and gold investments. The program provides accelerated naturalization for a non-refundable contribution from $140,000, or permanent residence (PR) via a gold purchase from 1 kg with the option to obtain citizenship later.

Investors value this “golden passport” for the global opportunities it unlocks: a new Sierra Leone passport provides visa-free access to dozens of countries, ECOWAS privileges, and tax benefits, while dual citizenship is allowed and there is no obligation to live in the country.

The Sierra Leone investment citizenship program is fully sanctioned by law. Multiple citizenship is permitted under amendments to the Citizenship Act of 2006. This means foreign investors may obtain a Sierra Leone passport without renouncing their first citizenship.

In 2024–2025, Sierra Leone’s migration legislation underwent major changes: procedures were accelerated and escrow mechanisms were introduced to protect investments. A key innovation is the launch of the state Go-For-Gold program, officially approved in December 2024, which established lifetime residency through gold investments and accelerated naturalization for investors.

Sierra Leone offers investors two official routes to a passport:

• Non-refundable contribution to the economy (accelerated naturalization)

This option is open to all foreign nationals and entails a one-time payment into a state development fund.

The minimum is $140,000 for a single applicant. Each additional family member requires a $10,000 top-up.

If the applicant can prove African ancestry, a special “ancestral naturalization” applies — the minimum is reduced to $100,000 and the processing time shortens to about 60 days. Proof of ancestry is a DNA test indicating at least 15% African genetic roots.

The contribution is non-refundable and transferred to a government account for national projects. However, if citizenship is refused, 100% of the amount is returned to the investor (minus bank fees) via an escrow account that safeguards the funds during screening. The accelerated naturalization process takes roughly 3 months from filing and does not require the applicant’s personal presence in the country.

• Gold purchase and PR (Go-For-Gold)

The second path is designed for investors wishing to preserve capital. It requires purchasing gold bars from 1 kg (999.9 fineness) and paying a program fee from $65,000. For example: one applicant — 1 kg of gold + $65,000; a family of up to 4 — 1 kg of gold + $75,000; a larger family of up to 8 — 2 kg of gold + $100,000.

Gold is purchased at the market price (in April 2025 about $98,000 per 1 kg) and stored at the Central Bank of Sierra Leone for 5 years. The investor receives permanent residency in an exceptionally short timeframe of about 40 days. PR is granted indefinitely and does not require residence in the country. After obtaining PR, the applicant may apply for citizenship after several years (the migration authority is formalizing the procedure).

Importantly, the gold route is capital-preserving: after 5 years the bars can be sold to recover the funds while retaining resident status. In addition, Go-For-Gold club participants may purchase up to 19 kg of gold at a 2% discount to market over 5 years. Thus, the “gold” route appeals to those seeking residency without locking in sunk costs, although the passport itself is not granted immediately under this option.

Program participants may be foreign adults (18+) with an impeccable record. There are no requirements to know the language, history, or culture of Sierra Leone - there are no citizenship exams. The key criteria are ability to fund the investment and a clean background (no criminal convictions, sanctions, or links to crime).

Applicants undergo thorough due diligence covering criminal history, financial and business reputation, and checks against Interpol notices, etc. Filing and screening are conducted remotely - travel to Sierra Leone is not required.

All investment funds are placed into a special escrow account and transferred to the government only after approval, ensuring investor protection. If the decision is positive, the applicant takes an oath (remotely or at a consulate) and receives a naturalization certificate, on the basis of which a biometric Sierra Leone passport can be issued.

Sierra Leonean law does not provide for arbitrary deprivation of citizenship once granted - a passport cannot be annulled unless fraud is discovered (e.g., forged application documents). In sum, legal guarantees for investors are strong: the program is codified in law, multiple citizenship is permitted, and funds are refunded upon refusal.

• Fast track to a second passport

Citizenship in Sierra Leone can be obtained much faster than in most countries. Processing takes 60 to 90 days depending on the selected route. Even factoring in document preparation, the entire process spans only a few months, whereas standard naturalization elsewhere can take years.

The procedure is maximally streamlined for investors: there is no residence requirement (you can get the passport without ever visiting the country), and there are no language or history exams. For this reason, Sierra Leone is considered one of the most accessible investment-citizenship options. The investor simply makes the required payment and passes screening - the authorities handle the rest. It is an ideal solution for those who need a second passport quickly for business or security reasons.

• Travel freedom and ECOWAS status

A Sierra Leone passport significantly expands mobility. Citizens can enter up to 68 countries visa-free or with visa on arrival. The list includes many African and Asian states such as Malaysia and Singapore, as well as several Caribbean and Middle Eastern destinations. Entry to the European Union requires a Schengen visa; however, Sierra Leonean citizens are typically issued long-term visas of up to 5 years. Likewise, a U.S. B-1/B-2 visa may be issued for 3 years, which is more convenient than for citizens of some other countries.

In addition, Sierra Leone is a full member of ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States). This grants passport holders resident-like privileges across 15 West African countries, similar to how EU citizens can live and work across EU member states.

• Capital preservation

Unlike many programs, Sierra Leone allows you to preserve - and potentially grow - capital. Through Go-For-Gold you invest not in state fees alone but in a real asset: gold bullion. Gold has historically been a reliable store of value; in the last five years its price has more than doubled. In March 2025, gold reached a record of $3,000 per ounce, and many analysts forecast further appreciation.

Your bars are stored at the Central Bank, and after five years you may sell them and recover your funds (possibly with gains), while retaining your permanent resident status. Moreover, Go-For-Gold investors receive a 2% discount on local gold and can purchase up to 19 kg on preferential terms. In effect, Sierra Leone lets you invest in gold and obtain a passport. Even if you choose the non-refundable contribution route, financial risks are minimized: all funds remain in escrow until approval and are fully returned in case of refusal.

• Dual citizenship and family eligibility

Sierra Leone permits dual citizenship - you do not need to give up your first passport. This is a major advantage: you keep all rights in your home country while acquiring a new set of rights in Sierra Leone. Status is inheritable: the investor’s children become citizens even if born outside the country. You can include close relatives from the outset and secure a reliable “plan B” for the family.

The program covers family members: along with the main applicant, a spouse, children, and parents may obtain status. Children up to 18 can be included (older dependents may be eligible if financial dependency is proven), and the applicant’s or spouse’s parents may be added subject to evidence of support. Family pricing is favorable - the accelerated naturalization route charges a flat $10,000 per additional family member (the gold route uses fixed package tiers). As a result, investors can obtain a second passport for all close relatives at comparatively low cost, providing security and travel freedom.

• Tax advantages and banking benefits

Sierra Leone citizenship opens doors to the international financial system on favorable terms. First, Sierra Leone’s tax system is advantageous for non-residents. If your income is earned outside the country and you do not live there, such income is not taxed in Sierra Leone. Worldwide income taxation applies only to tax residents (generally those spending over 182 days per year in the country). Residence is a right, not an obligation; most investors remain non-resident and pay no local tax on foreign income. Second, Sierra Leone is attractive from a financial confidentiality perspective. Local banks offer full services — accounts, savings, international transfers — and do not share financial information with foreign tax authorities under certain international schemes. The country does not participate in some automatic data-exchange agreements, adding an extra layer of financial privacy. In addition, there is no inheritance or gift tax, and domestic tax rates are moderate (e.g., a 15% income tax rate for residents). Thus, with a Sierra Leone passport, you gain access to a stable banking system with less scrutiny from foreign regulators.