Bryan David Hunt, U.S. Ambassador to Sierra Leone, during a local television interview on Thursday, 20th March 2025, dismissed rumors of a visa ban on Sierra Leone, stating that no such directive has been issued by Washington.
However, he raised concerns over the high rate of Sierra Leonean visa overstays, warning that corrective measures may be considered if the trend continues.
“At this time, there is no visa ban in place for Sierra Leone or any other country. I have no instructions from Washington to impose such a ban,” the ambassador confirmed.
He clarified that while President Donald Trump issued an executive order directing the State Department and the Department of Homeland Security to review visa policies as part of broader border security measures, discussions remain ongoing, and no decisions have been made.
The ambassador, however, pointed out a serious issue regarding visa misuse. According to the U.S. ambassador, approximately 15% of Sierra Leoneans granted U.S. tourist and business visas overstay and remain in the country illegally, while 35% of student visa holders fail to return after their studies. He emphasized that the U.S. government expects Sierra Leonean travelers to comply with visa regulations, just as Sierra Leone enforces its own immigration policies for foreign visitors.
His comments align with recent statements by Sierra Leone’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Timothy Musa Kabba, who acknowledged U.S. concerns over visa overstays but refuted claims of a sweeping visa restriction. “The United States is still conducting consular services in Sierra Leone without any changes. Visas are being issued to deserving applicants,” the minister assured.
He also revealed that the Sierra Leonean government has been actively addressing U.S. inquiries about citizens who overstay or engage in unauthorized economic activities. In January 2025, the U.S. requested emergency travel certificates for twelve Sierra Leoneans found overstaying their visas, who were later repatriated through coordination between the Sierra Leonean Embassy in Washington, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
While no immediate visa restrictions are in place, both U.S. and Sierra Leonean officials acknowledge that stricter enforcement may be considered if the issue persists. The Foreign Minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to working with the U.S. to ensure proper due diligence in visa issuance and compliance.
