The government of Sierra Leone, working with the Ministry of Employment, Labour and Social Security and the Sierra Leone Immigration Department, has announced that it will move the issuing and renewal of resident and work permits into a fully digital system.
The change follows a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) deal with technology provider Constrat Systems, aimed at making the process more efficient, transparent and better connected across government services.
Starting Thursday, 13 November 2025, issuance and renewal of permits will be temporarily suspended. The pause is needed to allow full integration and preparation of the new digital platform.
The new system will go live on 1 January 2026. From that date all applications and renewals must be done online through the “Digital Resident and Work Permit Platform”. Both individuals and institutions will use it, which is expected to cut paperwork and reduce processing times.
Officials have reassured foreign nationals whose permits expire during the transition period that their current permits remain valid until the new system takes effect.
In a joint statement, the Ministry and Immigration Department thanked the public for their cooperation and patience. They said the reform is part of the government’s “Digital Transformation Agenda” to modernise public services, improve accountability and bolster data-driven governance.
The new permit system is expected to streamline administrative processes, reduce delays and bring Sierra Leone’s immigration services closer to international best practice.
