Sierra LeoneCitizenship By Investment

Overview

Sierra Leone’s Citizenship by Investment program offers two distinct routes to citizenship, both built around a non-refundable economic contribution to the country’s development.

Fast Track Naturalization is open to any qualifying applicant and requires a contribution of USD 140,000 for the main applicant, with citizenship granted within roughly 90 days.

Heritage Naturalization offers a lower entry point of USD 100,000, but is reserved for applicants who can document African ancestry through DNA testing, and is processed on a shorter timeline of around 60 days. Either way, the program gives investors a direct path to a second nationality and passport without requiring them to live in the country before, during, or after the process.

Family Inclusion

The program allows for unusually broad family inclusion, extending across as many as four generations of one family.

Normal dependents: a spouse, children under 18, parents, and grandparents; can be added for USD 10,000 each.

Special dependents, which include adult children, siblings under 30 (along with their own spouses and children), and one additional qualifying relative, are added at USD 20,000 each. Applicants can also bring on one business partner as a co-investor for an additional USD 30,000.

Eligibility

To qualify for Sierra Leone’s citizenship program, applicants must:

Be at least 18 years old
Pass an independent, third-party due diligence review
Provide proof of a legitimate source of funds
For Heritage Naturalization specifically, provide DNA evidence of African descent
Make the required contribution based on the chosen track and family size

Sierra Leone permits dual citizenship in principle, so investors are generally able to retain their existing nationality alongside their new Sierra Leonean citizenship, though this should be confirmed against the applicant’s own country of origin rules. Contribution funds are placed into escrow at the time of application and released only once the application is approved, giving applicants a measure of protection while their file is under review.

Benefits

Two Pathways to Citizenship

Applicants can choose the route that fits their circumstances: Fast Track Naturalization for a broader pool of applicants, or the lower-cost Heritage Naturalization track for those able to document African ancestry.

Short & Straightforward Process

Sierra Leone processes citizenship applications within 60 to 90 days depending on the track chosen, with no formal language or civics examination described in the program's published materials.

Escrow-Protected Contribution

Investment funds are held in escrow and released to the government only after the application is approved, rather than being paid upfront with no conditions.

No Physical Residency Requirement

There is no requirement to reside in Sierra Leone before, during, or after citizenship is granted.

Business & Tax Incentives

Approved applicants receive a complimentary incorporated company with a corporate bank account, and the program is promoted alongside favorable treatment of foreign-sourced income.

Visa-Free Travel

The Sierra Leonean passport currently offers visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 67 destinations, including the nations of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Family Inclusion Across Generations

Unlike most CBI programs, which typically cap family inclusion at two generations, Sierra Leone's program allows dependents across up to four generations of one family.

Contribution Options

Sierra Leone’s citizenship program offers two non-refundable contribution tracks, plus additional per-dependent and due diligence fees.

Non-Refundable Contribution (Main Applicant)
Fast Track Naturalization	USD 140,000
Heritage Naturalization Applicant (DNA-verified African descent)	USD 100,000

Dependents
A spouse, child under 18, parent, or grandparent	USD 10,000 each
An adult child, sibling under 30 and their spouse/children, or one additional qualifying relative	USD 20,000 each
Business Partner (optional, one co-investor)	USD 30,000

Two applicants can apply jointly as business partners under Fast Track citizenship program, optimizing the cost to approximately USD 100,000; no DNA test required

Due Diligence Fees

Family of up to 5 applicants	USD 5,000
Family of 6 to 10 applicants	USD 10,000
Each additional applicant beyond 10	USD 900

Application Process

Step 1 : Internal Due Diligence and Qualification Assessment

Bayat Group's compliance team conducts an internal background screening, prepares KYC documentation, and carries out a qualification assessment before proceeding.

Step 2 : Application Preparation

The client signs a retainer agreement with Bayat Group, and the required documents are gathered: passport copies, digital photographs, marriage and birth certificates, and, for Heritage Naturalization applicants, DNA test results confirming African ancestry.

Step 3 : Submission, Escrow, and Due Diligence

The application is submitted online, contribution funds are placed into an escrow arrangement, and an independent due diligence check is carried out on the applicant and any dependents. The entire process can be completed remotely.

Step 4 : Decision and Contribution Release

Once a decision is reached, approved applicants are notified and the contribution held in escrow, along with any applicable fees, is released to finalize the process.