Freetown, Sierra Leone — The Government of Sierra Leone will begin a comprehensive nationwide verification exercise for all foreign nationals living and working in the country from June 1, 2026, according to an official press release issued by the Ministry of Information and Civic Education on May 25, 2026.
The operation aims to verify compliance with key immigration and labour requirements, including valid Residence Permits, Work Permits, and Non-National Identity Cards.
Officials described the exercise as part of broader efforts to strengthen national security, enhance migration management, and promote lawful employment across Sierra Leone.
A joint task force comprising the Sierra Leone Immigration Department, the Ministry of Employment, Labour and Social Security, the Unified Permit Secretariat, the National Civil Registration Authority (NCRA), and members of the Security Sector will carry out the verification.
Inspections will target workplaces, business premises, institutions, project sites, residential areas, and other locations where foreign nationals may be residing or employed.
The government is urging all employers and foreign nationals to ensure their immigration and labour documents are valid, up-to-date, and readily available for inspection. Failure to comply could result in penalties or other legal actions in accordance with Sierra Leonean law.
Applications for residence and work permits, including renewals and regularisation, can be completed online via the portal: unifiedpermit.gov.sl.
For further information, the public can contact:
– Sierra Leone Immigration Department: +232 76 840 301 / +232 78 735 206 / +232 30 300 003
– Ministry of Employment, Labour and Social Security: +232 30 300 003 / +232 78 640 434
– Unified Permit Secretariat: info@unifiedpermit.gov.sl
The initiative reflects the government’s ongoing commitment to better regulating migration and ensuring that foreign workers and residents operate within the legal framework of the country.
