2007 Press Releases

Embassy Freetown Resumes Visa Services

February 20, 2007
US Embassy, Freetown                                                                          
Contact: Public Affairs Officer
Tel: 515000

Ambassador Hull has announced the immediate resumption of non-immigrant visa services at the American Embassy in Freetown.  The Ambassador noted that visa application procedures have changed since 1997 when the Embassy last processed visas.   Visa applications now have to be completed on the internet in accordance with the U.S. Government’s worldwide requirements.  Other changes include making visa interview appointments via the internet instead of queuing at the Embassy, and paying the visa application fee at the Sierra Leone Commercial Bank in Freetown in advance of the appointment.

The Ambassador emphasized that “the non-immigrant visa process is not a lottery.”  He cautioned Sierra Leoneans against gambling their money on a non-refundable visa application fee unless they seriously believe that they will qualify for a visa.  The standards for visas are the same worldwide, he said, and therefore will be the same for Sierra Leoneans in Freetown as they were in Conakry.   The Vice Consul will be the only person involved in approving or denying a visa, he added.  Neither the American Ambassador nor any other person in the embassy can influence the visa process under U.S. law.

To qualify for a visa, U.S. law requires applicants to demonstrate to the consular officer a legitimate reason for their travel and to prove their intention to leave the United States in a timely manner.  The United States is committed to “secure borders and open doors”, a policy to facilitate the legitimate travel of international visitors to the United States, while at the same time maintaining the integrity and security of its borders and nation.

The first stop for information on applying for visas in Sierra Leone is at the Embassy’s website: http://freetown.usembassy.gov/  where the requirements and necessary steps are clearly explained.  Individuals will apply electronically online by completing a free visa application form and scheduling an interview appointment.  They then will pay a non-refundable visa processing fee of U.S. $100 (payable in Leones) at the Sierra Leone Commercial Bank on Siaka Stevens Street in Freetown, and obtain the proper photographs.  Finally, applicants will appear at the Embassy at their scheduled time on the day of the interview, which will also include a fingerprint computer scan for biometric recognition.

Applicants are encouraged to plan early for their travel.  The number of interview appointments each week is limited, making it imperative to schedule an appointment well ahead of the trip, and to make sure that they have all of the necessary supporting documentation for the visa interview.

Embassy Freetown will initially process only non-immigrant visas.  Non-immigrant visas are for temporary visitors, and are appropriate for many categories of travelers including students, tourists, business travelers, diplomats and government officials, and individuals temporarily visiting family and friends.  The Embassy will phase in immigrant visa and diversity immigrant visa services in the coming years as consular staff grows.  The U.S. Embassy in Dakar will continue to process immigrant visa applications for residents of Sierra Leone, and the U.S. Embassy in Abidjan will continue to process Diversity Immigrant Visa applications.