Sierra Leone Reinforces Mandatory Health Declaration for All Travellers

The Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority (SLCAA) issued a firm reminder on October 21, 2026, regarding mandatory health declaration forms. All passengers travelling through Freetown International Airport, also known as Lungi International Airport, must complete these forms. This rule applies to both individuals arriving in and departing from Sierra Leone. The SLCAA explicitly stated that non-compliance will lead to passengers being denied boarding.

Travellers are required to submit their declarations online via the official Sierra Leone Health Travel Portal, operated by the National Public Health Agency (NPHA). The form must be completed strictly within 72 hours prior to the scheduled travel time. To complete the process, individuals must visit poep.npha.gov.sl to create or log into an account. They then select either the Arrival or Departure Form, provide required personal and travel details, and submit. It is essential to save the generated confirmation QR code or reference number for potential inspection.

This mandate applies to all nationalities, including citizens of Sierra Leone, for both incoming and outgoing journeys. The health declaration requirement has been in effect since June 2026, when the government launched its health travel portal. Use of the system became mandatory for both arriving and departing travellers later that month. Its primary objective is to enhance health surveillance at borders and facilitate early detection of potential disease outbreaks.

Foreign travellers who require a visa must also secure their necessary entry documents. Sierra Leone has offered an electronic visa (e-Visa) since March 2023, available through its official evisa.sl portal for eligible nationals. However, obtaining an e-Visa does not exempt individuals from completing the separate health declaration form. The SLCAA urged airlines and travel agencies to inform passengers about these requirements to ensure compliance.