Freetown, April 24, 2026 — Immigration authorities in Sierra Leone have turned back eight Chinese nationals at Freetown International Airport after discovering they were carrying fraudulent residency permits, in a move that underscores the government’s intensified enforcement of new immigration regulations.
Officials said the individuals were refused entry after routine checks revealed their documents were not issued through the government’s newly introduced biometric system, which became mandatory on April 1, 2026.
Under the revised policy, all foreign nationals residing or working in Sierra Leone are required to obtain biometric residence and work permits processed through the Unified Permits Platform. The permits must be presented on demand to authorised officers at any point of entry or during inspections.
Authorities noted that compliance monitoring has been stepped up nationwide, with verification exercises now routinely conducted at airports, land borders, workplaces, and across various sectors. The stricter enforcement has already led to disruptions for some foreign nationals, with reports indicating that several travellers are being stopped daily over invalid or falsified documentation, resulting in missed flights and denied entry.
The government has urged all non-citizens to regularise their status by applying for valid biometric permits through the official system, warning that failure to comply could lead to fines, deportation, or other legal consequences.
Officials reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining robust immigration controls as screening operations continue across the country.
