United States of America visa requirements for Sierra Leoneans

Travel and visa requirements

Basic Travel Requirements for Sierra Leoneans visiting United States of America

Travelers are required to fulfill the following requirements in order to apply for a American Visa.

  • A DS-160 (Nonimmigrant Visa Electronic Application) form which has been duly completed and signed by the visa applicant.
  • A passport that is valid for travel to the United States of America.
  • One passport-sized photograph (5cmx5cm) taken within the last 6 months prior to the visa application.
  • Two blank passport pages for visa stamps.
  • Original copy of bank statement from the past three months prior to the period of visa application.
  • A proof of accommodation for the period you will be staying in the country.
  • A proof of civil status in Sierra Leone.
  • A proof of sufficient funds to cover your expenses while in US. 
  • Travel insurance which has sufficient medical coverage. The insurance should be valid for the duration of your stay in the country.
  • A police report showing the traveler does not have a criminal record.
  • Documentation confirming the purpose of travel.
  • A copy of travel itinerary with up-to-date flight exit and entry dates.
  • A copy of return flight ticket to Sierra Leon.

United States Of America Visa for Sierra Leoneans

Facts about United States Of America

The United States of America is one of the main tourist destinations in the world. You cannot truly see all the country has to offer in one trip. If you have exhausted the things to see in a particular location, the next location brings up a fresh array of things to see. The country has beautiful scenery, entertainment options, magnificent architecture, great tourist sites and so much more. No matter what you are interested in doing, you are sure to get it in the United States of America. National Parks, casinos, beaches, historical sites, movie theatres, trade fairs, shopping malls, restaurants, nightlife are just some of the things you can do in the country. Make sure you enjoy the rollercoaster of fun during your time here.
 
Tourism in the USA is a large industry that contributes greatly to the American economy. The United States of America is the country that attracts the third-largest number of tourists behind France and Spain and this may be attributed to the fact that tourists stay longer in the United States more than they do in France and Spain. The country plays host to about 78 million tourists yearly. Since Donald Trump got elected, the number of tourist visits in the United States has dropped by 4% and has led to the loss of about 40,000 jobs.
 
Citizens of Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, Caymans, Australia, Belgium, Brunei, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, South Korea, New Zealand, etc can gain entry to the United States of America visa-free for a certain period of time.

Types of United States Of America Visa

Types of Visa Processing Time Duration of Stay
Tourist visa Three weeks 90 days
Business visa Three weeks 90 days
Student visa Three weeks 1-5 years
Work visa Three weeks 1-5 years
Transit visa Three weeks 1-5 days

General Requirements for United States Of America Visa

  • A DS-160 (Nonimmigrant Visa Electronic Application) form which has been duly completed and signed by the visa applicant.
  • A passport that is valid for travel to the United States of America.
  • One passport-sized photograph (5cmx5cm) taken within the last 6 months prior to the visa application.
  • Two blank passport pages for visa stamps.
  • Original copy of bank statement from the past three months prior to the period of visa application.
  • A proof of accommodation for the period you will be staying in the country.
  • A proof of civil status in Sierra Leone.
  • A proof of sufficient funds to cover your expenses while in US. 
  • Travel insurance which has sufficient medical coverage. The insurance should be valid for the duration of your stay in the country.
  • A police report showing the traveler does not have a criminal record.
  • Documentation confirming the purpose of travel.
  • A copy of travel itinerary with up-to-date flight exit and entry dates.
  • A copy of return flight ticket to Sierra Leon.
United States Of America Tourist visa United States Of America Business visa United States Of America Student visa United States Of America Work visa United States Of America Transit visa

United States Of America Tourist Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • Those with the intention of sightseeing, vacationing, and visiting family and friends in the United States of America need to apply for this visa type.
  • This visa is also known as B-2 visa. 
  • Also, foreigners who are traveling to the United States to take up a short recreational course are also eligible for the B-2 Visa.
  • Participating in social events hosted by fraternal, social or service organizations are hugely prohibited.
  • Foreigners  with this visa type are  not permitted to participate in musical, sports, or similar events  unless they will not receive adequate payment for their participation.
  •  Foreigners are not allowed to enroll in an institution of learning or working for a company in the United States of America. 
  • Holders of this visa cannot gain entry on a ship or aircraft as a crew member.
  • Foreigners traveling with type of visa cannot work  for a foreign press, radio, film, print journalism or any other form of information media while in USA. 
  • Applicants  between the ages of 14 – 79 years are required to make themselves available for a visa interview. Those who are above or below this age limit are generally not required to schedule and attend a visa interview. The visa interview may be scheduled at a United States Embassy in your country of residence.
  • In some cases, additional documents may be required from visa applicants. This document should include documents which state foreigners’ intent of leaving the United States after their visa expires or documents that serve as proof of family ties in their home country.
  • If you get married to a United States citizen or if you get employed, you can change your non-immigrant status by applying through the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Changing your non-immigrant status does not necessarily mean you have to change your visa.
  • Foreigners are advised to not start making travel plans until they have been granted the visa. Applying for this visa does not guarantee that you will be issued this visa.
  • Foreigners seeking  medical treatment  from  a medical  institution or doctor in the United States need to obtain this visa. The applicants must have  received a  diagnosis from their doctor or physician in their home country before applying for this visa. 
  • Foreigners visiting the United States of America for treatment must obtain a letter from the medical institution that has agreed to take up their treatment in the United States. They must also provide sufficient proof that they are capable of making whatever payment that is required from them.
  • Applicants of this visa are also those who have been employed as domestic workers by a United States citizen or a foreigner who is in the country on any of B, E, F, H, I, J, L, M, O, P, or Q visa.
  • New visa applicants and those applying for a renewal of their visa may be subjected to the same visa application process.

United States Of America Business Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • Only those who are traveling to the United States of America to consult with their business associates can obtain this type of visa.
  • If you have the intention of attending a scientific, educational, professional, or business convention or conference, you are eligible to apply for this visa type.
  • This is the appropriate visa type if the purpose of the planned travel is to settle an estate or to negotiate a contract.
  • With a business visa, holders cannot enroll in any of the academic institutions or take up paid or unpaid employment. During  duration of your stay,  you are not allowed to engage in paid performances or perform for a paying audience.
  • As a foreigner in the United States of America with this visa, you cannot be employed in the press, radio, film, print journalism, or other forms of information media. Taking up permanent residence in the country is considered illegal.
  • Visa applicants who are 13 years or younger and 80 years and above are not required to be in physically present  for their visa interview. A visa interview is for those who are between the ages of 14 – 79 years. The visa interview must be scheduled in a United States Embassy in your country of residence. If you schedule your visa interview in a country other than your country of residence, it may be  difficult for you to be issued this visa.
  • You are required to pay a non-refundable visa application fee before your visa interview is scheduled. After your visa has been approved, you may be required to pay a visa issuance fee. The visa issuance fee is dependent on your country of residence.
  •  Applicants of this visa are usually asked to provide documents that explain in detail the purpose of their trip .  And also documents which proves that they will be willing to return to their country of residence such as  a letter of employment or proof of family ties.
  • During your visa interview with a consular officer, you may be required to register your fingerprint in the system.
  • Staying in the United States longer than the duration allowed may result in  you being permanently be refused future entry into the country.
  • If your status changes during your time in the country e.g. if you get married or if you get employed, you can request a change in your non-immigrant status through the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

United States Of America Student Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • This visa is referred to as the United States Of America Academic Studies (F-1) visa
  • The F-1 Visa is the most common type of Student Visa. Foreigners who wish to attend an approved school such as a college or university, or private secondary school are eligible  for this type of  F-1 Visa.
  • If you will be undergoing a program that lasts for more than 18 hours a week, then you will have to obtain   a student visa. 
  • Citizens of Sierra Leon  applying for the F-1 Visa are not allowed to  enroll in public elementary schools from kindergarten to 8th grade or to attend an adult education program that is publicly funded.
  • You are only allowed to attend public secondary schools from grade 9 to grade 12 for a maximum period of 12 months.
  • It should be stated clearly on the Form I-20 that students have made payment for the educational cost.
  • Foreigners are required to present a Form I-901 SEVIS fee receipt which indicates that they have paid the SEVIS fee.
  • After the F-1 Visa holder  has completed all the relevant courses needed for graduation, he/she is eligible for up to 12 months of Optical Practical Training (OPT). The OPT is generally different from the work in the student’s academic curriculum, it will not be reflected in the academic program.
  • After a break of five months or more from being away from your studies, you can apply for another student F-1 Visa on your return to the school.
  • You are required to present the original and copies of academic documents such as school transcripts with grades, public examination certificates, standardized test scores and diplomas during the visa application.

United States Of America Work Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • Foreigners who have been offered  temporary  jobs or ones seasonal in nature are the eligible  for this visa.
  • This visa is only granted to foreign nationals in situations where there is a shortage in the number of available citizens of United States workers.
  • A certification issued by the Department of Labor which states there was indeed no citizen of the United States of America qualified enough to take up the job you were offered at the time.
  • The certification must be obtained from the Department of Labor by your prospective employer in the United States.
  • It is necessary for applicants to get their employer in the United States file a Form I-129, Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker, which has be approved by the USCIS.
  • The receipt number on the Form I-129 must be presented at the Embassy during the visa interview.
  • Visa interviews are needed for only a specific category of applicants who are between below the age of 14 years and above the age of 79 years.
  • At the Embassy, additional documents may be required which  may include those which proves you have ties to your home country and family relationships. 
  • Foreigners are required to avoid trying to stay in the country for more  than the  duration of time the visa allows. Overstaying on your visa can make you ineligible for future entries.
  • You can be accompanied by your spouse and unmarried children under the age of 21 years. But they will receive the H-4 visa.

United States Of America Transit Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • This visa is for those traveling to another country from the US.
  • Applicants of this visa type have the intention of  boarding a connecting flight from the US to their destination country.
  • Applicants may be passengers on a ship coming from a port in Sierra Leon and is proceeding to another country.
  • Holders of this visa are not allowed to visit friends or go sightseeing,
  • Holders of this visa cannot  work while in US. 
  • You need to present the visa for your destination country. Also, the flight ticket to your destination is required.
  • Minors should apply for their visas separately from their parents and their application forms should be signed by their parents.
  • The visa ceases to be valid after you exit the country.

United States Of America Visa Fees

Visa Type

Sub Types

Visa Fees

Tourist visa

160.00 (USD)

Business visa

160.00 (USD)

Student visa

190.00 (USD)

Work visa

190.00 (USD)

Transit visa

160.00 (USD)

United States Of America Visa Application Centres & Embassies in Sierra Leone

Location

Address

Freetown

U.S. Embassy. Southridge - Hill Station, Freetown, Sierra Leone.

sl.usembassy.gov

(+232) 99 105 000

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the validity of my passport for me to be able to apply for US visa?

Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months beyond  your intended period of stay in the United States.

Is my US visa valid even after I have changed my name?

If you legally changed your name, you will need to obtain a new passport. Once you have obtained a new passport, you can then apply for a visa.

What types of visas are available?
There are over 15 USA visa types available for you, depending on the purpose of your travel.

How much is an average hotel per night in the USA?

The hotel's price index in the first six months of 2014 found room prices are an average of $137 per night.

Where is the most visited tourist destination in the United States?

The times square in New York was the most visited tourist attraction in 2011 with about 41.9 million tourists. Other frequently visited places include Disney world in Orlando California, Las Vegas strip in Las Vegas, Nevada.