www.visitsierraleone.org/
Replies: 11 - Last Post: Apr 1, 2012 1:15 PM Last Post By: owadavid
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www.visitsierraleone.org/
Can't quite work out how this forum works - if I add a question to an old thread, it doesn't seem to bump the thread up to the top, so presumably no-one's going to see it (or am I missing something?)Is this why the same old questions (about security, etc) get posted over and over?
Anyway, reposting as a new topic:
anyone have more feedback about this service www.visitsierraleone.org/
when using a printout visa rather than one put in your passport by an embassy, is is problem free going through land borders (from Guinea)?
I've been through some complex visa applications in cerntal asia/russia/china during olympics, etc, but have to say I've never turned up at a remote border with a printout ...
2
I'm not saying I know for sure, but the website is a travel agency which claims to provide you with a visa by email for more than twice the price of a real visa. It's possible that there's something legitimate about what they're offering (Ghana, for example, is reported experimenting with pre-clearance for visas to be picked up on arrival at the Accra airport), but I'd have to hear it from people who'd risked their US$210 and found it worthwhile.Maybe that's you.....
Mark
3
www.visitsierraleone.org is ligit, it was setup by a Sierra Leonese who was living abroad and decided to return after the war ended, a bloke called Bimbola. To be honest they're the only real local operator in SL at the moment and in fact they run tours for a number of foreign operators such as Undiscovered Destinations, Exodus, Rainbow Tours and some German one I can't remember the name of. It is more expensive to organise your visa through them but it does make things easier as well if you can't do it from where you live.4
Some travellers have recently reported that a Sierra Leone visa is available on the land border if coming from Guinea (Conakry). This could be a back up plan for you. I have not personally done this but people have said it is possible.David.
8
Are Sierra Leone visas available at Lungi Airport?I thought EU passport holders had to get them in advance?
I'm intending to use this service, as eve if it costs a bit, it is cheaper than spending a few days in Accra waiting for one to be issued.
9
I used the email visa system four months ago without problem (flying in). I gave my credit card or paypal number, they emailed two pieces of paper, one looked like a visa/authorization and the other was a receipt for 630,000 Leones.I printed one copy of each and handed them over at immigration, the immigration guy took the visa/authorization, gave me back the receipt, stamped my passport, let me into the country.
Note that when I left the country by road, I went through who knows how many "checks" and one of the guys asked for my "visa." I had thrown away the prinout of the receipt and had only my passport stamp to show him. He was OK with that, but as he was scrutinizing my passport, I wished I had printed two copies of the visa and receipt and kept a copy of each to show at formal and informal "checkpoints" when exiting the country.
11
I contacted Ibrahim from VSL, he assures me that the visa receipt that they issue will be accepted at a land border crossing.I also note that on their website, on the application form, it asks if you are flying in or arriving by land from Guinea/Liberia:
https://www.vsltravel.com/getting-to-Sierra-Leone/visa-application-form.html
Would echo what Giora says, the more remote border crossings this might be an issue, the officials might not have a clue what they're being presented with, but if the main border crossings from Conakry or Monrovia Ibrahim assures us it works.
