GO-FOR-GOLD Citizenship by Investment

Sierra Leone's GO-FOR-GOLD Citizenship by Investment program offers foreign investors a fast-track route to full Sierra Leonean citizenship without any physical residency requirement. Launched in January 2025, it operates under Section 27(a) of the Sierra Leone Citizenship Act, 1973, which grants the President discretionary authority to confer citizenship by exception where participation serves the national interest. The program is administered by the Sierra Leone Immigration Department and provides two pathways: Fast-Track Naturalization (open to all nationalities, USD 140,000, approximately 90 days) and Heritage Naturalization (for individuals of African descent verified by DNA test, USD 100,000, approximately 60 days). Dual citizenship is permitted under the Sierra Leone Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2006, and applicants are not required to renounce any existing nationality.

• All nationalities are eligible for Fast-Track Naturalization; Heritage Naturalization requires DNA test confirming African ancestry
• Must pass independent due diligence and background checks conducted by a UK-based investigative firm
• Source-of-funds verification required for all financial contributions
• No minimum age beyond legal capacity; no educational or professional qualifications required
• No prior residency in Sierra Leone required

• Fast-Track Naturalization — USD 140,000 (single applicant), open to all nationalities; approximately 90 days processing
• Heritage Naturalization — USD 100,000 (single applicant), for persons of verified African descent; approximately 60 days processing
• Dependants — Normal dependants (spouse, minor children, parents, grandparents): USD 10,000 each; Special dependants (adult children, siblings under 30, sibling spouses, last remaining relatives): USD 20,000 each
• Business partners — USD 30,000 for one partner, or USD 85,000 each for two partners
• An option to offset up to 20 kg of gold bullion against fees at a 2% discount below market rate is available through GFG Club membership
• All fees are held in escrow and released only upon formal approval by the Chief Immigration Officer

• Certified copy of passport (bio page)
• Certified birth certificate
• Two digital photographs
• Marriage certificate (if applicable)
• DNA test results confirming African ancestry (Heritage Naturalization only)
• Financial documentation for source-of-funds verification

The entire process is conducted remotely — no visit to Sierra Leone is required at any stage:

1. Pre-screening and application submission via the GO-FOR-GOLD online portal
2. Document preparation and submission with certified copies
3. Escrow payment of program fees
4. Independent due diligence review by a UK-based investigative firm (approximately 2 weeks for clearance)
5. Letter of Approval issued by the Chief Immigration Officer; funds released from escrow
6. Presidential confirmation and issuance of Certificate of Naturalization and Sierra Leone passport
7. Secure international delivery of citizenship documents

The Oath of Allegiance may be administered remotely via Zoom. Processing takes approximately 60 days (Heritage) or 90 days (Fast-Track) from submission.

The program accommodates an unusually broad range of family members under a single application. Normal dependants (USD 10,000 each) include: spouse, children under 18, parents, and grandparents. Special dependants (USD 20,000 each) include: adult children, siblings under 30, spouses of siblings, and one last remaining relative. There is no maximum family size, though applications with three or more dependants require additional approval. All dependants receive full citizenship with the same rights as the main applicant.

Sierra Leone does not impose national taxation on foreign income and assets for citizens who do not reside in the country. Tax residency certification is available. Sierra Leone does not operate within the Common Reporting Standard (CRS) framework.

Citizenship grants full rights to live and work in Sierra Leone. Citizens benefit from ECOWAS free movement across all 15 West African member states and visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to over 90 destinations. Approved applicants receive an incorporated Sierra Leone company with a corporate bank account as part of the citizenship package. There are no ongoing residence, reporting, or registration obligations for citizens who obtained citizenship through this program.