Freetown, April 14, 2026 — The Government of Sierra Leone has announced the start of a nationwide enforcement exercise requiring all foreign nationals living and working in Sierra Leone to register and obtain valid documentation.
The directive, issued through the Ministry of Information and Civic Education, mandates compliance with key identification and residency requirements, including Non-National Identity Cards, residence permits, and work permits.
According to the government, the initiative is aimed at strengthening national security systems by establishing a comprehensive database of foreign nationals to improve monitoring and ensure adherence to immigration regulations.
Authorities emphasized that all non-citizens must secure the necessary documents and keep them in their possession at all times. Failure to comply, the statement warned, could result in enforcement actions.
The government also noted that applications and renewals for residence and work permits can be processed online through the unified permit platform.
Several institutions have been designated to support the exercise, including the Office of National Security, the Ministry of Employment, Labour and Social Security, the Sierra Leone Immigration Department, and the National Civil Registration Authority.
The government has called on all affected individuals to cooperate fully with the process, stressing that the measure is critical to maintaining order and improving the management of foreign nationals across the country.
