Sierra Leone Citizenship by Investment

What is the GO-FOR-GOLD program?

GO-FOR-GOLD is the Government of Sierra Leone's official Permanent Residency and Citizenship by Special Naturalization program. TG 2050 LTD administers it under a foundational contract with the Sierra Leone government. The legal framework is the Citizenship (Special Naturalization) Regulation, 2026, enacted under Section 27(a) of the Sierra Leone Citizenship Act, 1973.

There are three pathways. Lifetime Permanent Residency comes through a gold investment. Fast Track Citizenship works through a donation to national development. Heritage Citizenship is for individuals of African descent who can prove their ancestry via DNA test. Each has its own timeline, fees, and requirements.

All three can be completed 100% remotely. The regulation says applications "may be submitted and processed entirely offshore, including all stages of assessment, verification, and certificate issuance." You never need to travel to Sierra Leone.

What are the 3 pathways and how much do they cost?

Permanent Residency is the fastest option, with approval in 40 days or less. It requires purchasing 1KG of Sierra Leonean gold bullion at a 2% discount to market price, which is then held in secure government vault storage for five years. Program fees start at USD 65,000 for a single applicant (18 years or over), USD 75,000 for a nuclear family of up to four qualifying members, and USD 100,000 for an extended family of up to eight qualifying members. Additional qualifying family members beyond these packages cost USD 10,000 each. All permanent residency options include a 5-year GFG Club membership.

Fast Track Citizenship takes up to 90 days. The program fee is USD 140,000 for a single applicant, plus USD 10,000 for each additional qualifying family member. This route leads to full Sierra Leonean citizenship through a donation pathway. Upon completion, you receive a Naturalization Certificate, a Sierra Leonean passport, and a tax file number.

Heritage Citizenship takes up to 60 days. The program fee is USD 100,000 for a single applicant, plus USD 10,000 for each additional qualifying family member. This pathway is open to foreign nationals who can demonstrate African ancestry through the Living DNA African Ancestry DNA Test (available at livingdna.com/african-ancestry-dna-test). You receive the same documents as the Fast Track route: Naturalization Certificate, passport, and tax file number.

Both citizenship pathways also include a 5-year GFG Club membership with a 2% discount on approximately 19KG of gold purchases.

Who can be included in my application?

Your spouse (or spouses), dependent parents, grandparents, and children can all be included in your application.

You can also add siblings who are under 30 years old, along with their spouse and their children under the age of 18. Each additional sibling applicant costs an extra USD 20,000.

If you have a business partner or co-investor, they can be added to your application for an additional USD 30,000. The one restriction here is that the business partner cannot have a familial relation to you.

For permanent residency specifically, qualifying family members are defined as: father, mother, children 18 years or younger, grandparents, and a second (or additional) legal spouse.

How does the application process work, step by step?

The process is largely the same across all three pathways, with minor differences depending on the route.

You start by gathering all required documents and certifying them as true copies. Then review everything for completeness -- incomplete submissions are the most common cause of delays. Once you're satisfied, sign the Confirmation of Enclosures form (which certifies all necessary papers are included) and email everything to [email protected].

After submission, your file is opened and you receive a Request for Funds along with an Escrow Agreement and bank account details. Once program fees arrive, due diligence and background checks begin.

For Permanent Residency, once background checks pass, your application is approved in principle within 40 days, and you receive a 1KG Gold Bullion Purchase Contract at a 2% discount to market price. After you complete the gold purchase, the bullion goes into government-mandated 5-year storage, and your final PR documentation is dispatched, including a Certificate of Gold Deposit, insurance documentation, and your Permanent Residency Cards.

For Fast Track Citizenship, after due diligence clears, your Naturalization Petition is filed with the Sierra Leone Immigration Department. Once the petition is approved, your Naturalization Citizenship and new passport are dispatched. The whole process takes up to 90 days from submission.

For Heritage Citizenship, you include your DNA Test Results with all other certified documents at submission. After due diligence clears, your Heritage Citizenship Petition is approved and the formalities wrapped up. Naturalization Citizenship and new passport are dispatched within 60 days.

What documents do I need?

The required documents are:

• Passport Details Page (all applicants)
• Passport Bio-Details Page (all applicants)
• 2x Passport-Sized Photos (all applicants)
• Marriage Certificate(s) or De Facto Partnership Recognition (if applicable)
• Birth Certificate(s) for children and parents (if applicable)
• Proof of Current Residential Address (main applicant and business partner, if included)
• Digital Passport Signature (all applicants 18 or over)
• Bank Statement (main applicant and business partner, if included)
• CV/Resume (main applicant and business partner, if included)
• S9 Declaration (main applicant)
• Oath of Allegiance (all applicants 18 or over)
• Deed Poll (only if a name change is included)

For Heritage Citizenship applicants, a DNA Test Report from Living DNA must also be included.

All documents are submitted digitally. There is no need to ship physical copies.

What is the S9 Declaration?

The S9 Declaration is a written declaration submitted to the Minister under Section 9 of the Sierra Leone Citizenship Act. In it, the applicant confirms two things: first, that they are a person of independent means, financially self-sufficient, and in possession of sufficient financial resources, assets, or income to at least USD 1 million to maintain themselves and reside in Sierra Leone; and second, that they shall not engage in employment or have recourse to public funds within the Republic. This declaration accompanies the final application dossier before issuance of the Certificate of Naturalization.

What is the Oath of Allegiance?

No Certificate of Naturalization can be issued until the applicant has taken the Oath of Allegiance in the form set out in the First Schedule of the Sierra Leone Citizenship Act, 1973. All applicants aged 18 and over must complete this oath. It is handled as part of the application paperwork and does not require appearing in person.

Are there any minimum net worth requirements?

Yes. Applicants must demonstrate a minimum net worth of at least USD 1,000,000 at the time of the application. This requirement is built into the S9 Declaration, where applicants confirm they possess sufficient financial resources, assets, or income of at least USD 1 million.

What happens if my application is refused?

If your application is refused before citizenship is granted, your program fees are refunded in full, less any administrative fees. The escrow agent returns 100% of your program fees to the same bank account they originated from. This applies to all three pathways.

If you want to contest a refusal, you have the option to submit a written request for reconsideration to the Minister within 30 days of receiving the notification. The Minister has discretion to reconsider in accordance with the Act and the Regulation.

Can my citizenship be revoked?

Only if it was obtained by fraud, misrepresentation, or concealment of material facts. The regulation is specific: "The Minister may revoke citizenship granted under this Regulation if it is established that it was obtained by fraud, misrepresentation, or concealment of material facts." If you applied truthfully, revocation does not apply to you.

Do I need to travel to Sierra Leone for biometrics or any other reason?

No. Everything is handled remotely. The Sierra Leone passport has a biometric logo on the cover, but no biometric data is actually captured from applicants at this time. National ID cards may eventually require biometrics, but not yet. Passports ship to any address worldwide.

How are passports delivered?

Passports are shipped directly to your address, anywhere in the world. There is no requirement to collect them in person or travel to Sierra Leone.

Which countries' nationals are restricted from applying?

Sierra Leone has restricted citizens of North Korea from applying for citizenship by investment. All other nationalities are eligible, subject to passing the due diligence and background check process.

Can same-sex couples apply?

No, same-sex couples cannot apply as a couple. However, two individuals can apply together as business partners in Sierra Leone.

Can I change my name?

Yes. A legal change of name is available as an add-on service for USD 10,000 for citizenship applicants and USD 30,000 for permanent residency applicants (the PR version also includes company incorporation and bank account setup).

The process works like this: first, you secure your naturalization certificate or permanent residency through either the Fast Track or Heritage pathway (or the PR pathway). With that certificate in hand, you initiate a name change via Deed Poll at a Notary Public or Commissioner of Oaths. The name change is then announced in the national gazette, and you receive a new name certificate. This updates the national registry. After that, you can obtain a new passport reflecting your updated name and update your tax number, national ID, and other documents.

The whole process takes about 2 weeks and is completed entirely online.

Once your name is changed and gazetted, you can also open personal bank accounts in your new name at local banks and, if you are the Ultimate Beneficial Owner (UBO) of a company incorporated in Sierra Leone, open corporate bank accounts under your new name as well.

Worth noting: this service is for legitimate, lawful purposes only. Names in Sierra Leone carry cultural, familial, and ethnic weight, and many foreign nationals adopt a local name after becoming citizens or residents. Using a name change for fraudulent purposes is prohibited under both Sierra Leonean and international law.

Do I need to incorporate a company?

No. You can incorporate a local Sierra Leone limited liability company through the GO-FOR-GOLD program, but it is not mandatory. The legal costs for incorporation are included in the use-case option fees, and there is no obligation to actually use the company or make any investment in Sierra Leone.

If the company stays dormant and the bank account is not used, both will automatically wind down 12 months after citizenship is granted. There are no extra steps or costs on your end. Your citizenship will not be affected or revoked if you choose not to use the company.

For those who do want to use it, the company incorporation service includes: establishment of a Sierra Leone limited liability company as a sole shareholder and director, establishment of a corporate bank account with Access Bank, and establishment of a personal bank account with Sierra Leone Commercial Bank.

What is the GFG Club?

The GFG Club is a membership that comes with all GO-FOR-GOLD pathways, lasting 5 years.

The main draw is discounted gold purchases: 99.99% pure bullion at 2% below market price. Beyond that, the club connects members with business leaders in Sierra Leone and can help with things like company incorporations and government introductions.

What is the Tax Residency option?

Tax Residency is an additional service available to both permanent residents and citizens. For permanent residency holders, it costs USD 10,000 (for 2 adults, plus USD 1,000 per adult as a taxation contribution). For citizenship holders, it costs USD 10,000.

A Tax Residency Certificate (TRC) issued by the National Revenue Authority of Sierra Leone confirms your tax residency in the country. It can help avoid dual taxation or challenge home country tax residency presumptions. The TRC is issued based on criteria like physical presence, economic activity, or permanent residence, and it enables access to double taxation treaty benefits.

The service package for permanent residents includes: establishment of a Sierra Leone limited liability company, corporate and personal bank accounts, a USD 1,000 taxation contribution for Year 1, and the official Tax Residency Certificate.

For citizens, the package includes the USD 1,000 taxation contribution for Year 1 and the official TRC.

What payment methods are accepted?

Program fees can be paid in USD (fiat) or USDT (cryptocurrency). Payments are made into an official escrow account, and funds are held in escrow until the due diligence process is complete and your application is either approved or refused.

How does the escrow system work?

After your application is processed, you receive a Request for Funds and an Escrow Agreement with bank account details. Your program fees sit in escrow during the entire due diligence and background check period. Approved? The funds are released. Refused? 100% of your program fees go back to the originating bank account. In practice, you don't actually lose money unless you're approved.

What does the due diligence process involve?

Every applicant goes through due diligence administered by the GO-FOR-GOLD program. No application moves to final approval without clearance. The process covers background checks and verification of eligibility documents. One thing worth knowing: the local bank in Sierra Leone does not run its own separate due diligence, so there's no additional layer of delay or paperwork from that end.

Is there an Upgrade pathway?

Yes. Foreign nationals who already hold Permanent Residency under the GO-FOR-GOLD program can apply for citizenship through the Upgrade pathway. This can be done at any time after acquiring permanent residency. The Upgrade route takes 60 days and also includes a 5-year GFG Club membership with the 2% gold purchase discount. Pricing for this pathway is to be determined.

What is the legal basis for this program?

The program operates under the Citizenship (Special Naturalization) Regulation, 2026, a Statutory Instrument enacted in exercise of the powers conferred on the President by Section 27(a) of the Sierra Leone Citizenship Act, 1973 (Act No. 4 of 1973). The regulation came into operation on the date of its publication in the Gazette.

The regulation waives two standard naturalization requirements for program applicants: the residency requirement under Section 1(a) of the Second Schedule, and the employment or business activity requirement under Section 1(b). It also establishes that all program applicants are deemed to be of Negro-African descent for the purposes of the Act, reflecting the spirit and intent of the amended 2021 Citizenship Act.

The Certificate of Naturalization issued under this program has the same legal effect as if granted under Section 8 of the Act. Pending issuance of the final certificate, a Letter of Naturalization issued by the Chief Immigration Officer serves as interim official confirmation of the grant of citizenship.

Can I apply from anywhere in the world?

Yes. Everything from initial application to receiving your passport or residency documents is handled remotely. The regulation explicitly allows for offshore processing at all stages. No visits to Sierra Leone, no consulate appointments, no in-person anything.

Does Sierra Leone allow dual citizenship?

Yes. You do not need to renounce your existing nationality when obtaining Sierra Leonean citizenship through the Fast Track or Heritage pathways. You can hold your Sierra Leonean passport alongside whatever other passports you currently carry.

What travel benefits does a Sierra Leonean passport or residency provide?

Sierra Leone belongs to ECOWAS (the Economic Community of West African States), so citizens can travel visa-free across all 15 ECOWAS member states, including Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, and Ivory Coast. Outside ECOWAS, visa requirements depend on the destination.

Permanent residents don't get a passport, but they receive Permanent Residency Cards, which can be useful for residency or tax planning purposes.

How long does each pathway take, in summary?

Permanent Residency: 40 days or less. Heritage Citizenship: up to 60 days. Fast Track Citizenship: up to 90 days. These timelines run from document submission to receiving your final documents, whether that's a passport, naturalization certificate, or PR cards.

Is approval guaranteed?

No. If your application is not granted, you receive a full refund of your investment and application fees. This guarantee is built into the escrow system: no funds are released until your application is approved, and refused applicants get their money back in full.

What happens to the gold I purchase under the Permanent Residency pathway?

The gold is placed into secure government vault storage for five years. You receive a Certificate of Gold Deposit and insurance documentation confirming your holdings. The bullion itself is 99.99% pure, certified by international standards, and purchased at a 2% discount to market price through the Gold Bullion Purchase Contract you receive after your PR is approved in principle. After the five-year storage period, the gold is yours. During the holding period, you also have access to additional gold purchases at the 2% discount through your GFG Club membership.

Can I upgrade from Permanent Residency to full citizenship later?

Yes. The Upgrade pathway is specifically designed for foreign nationals who already hold Permanent Residency under the GO-FOR-GOLD program. You can apply at any time after acquiring PR. The upgrade process takes 60 days. Pricing for this pathway is still being finalized (TBD), but it does come with a 5-year GFG Club membership and the standard 2% gold purchase discount.

Who administers the program?

TG 2050 LTD, which holds a foundational contract with the Government of Sierra Leone. They are based in Hong Kong (Suite 1704, Tung Chiu Commercial Centre, 193 Lockhart Road, Wanchai) with a presence in Freetown as well. One important detail: only confirmed Official Partners of TG 2050 LTD, like CitizenX, are authorized to process applications for the program.