Nationwide Verification for Foreign Nationals Begins June 1

Nationwide Verification for Foreign Nationals Begins June 1

The Ministry of Information and Civic Education issued a press release on May 25, 2026, announcing that the Government of Sierra Leone would commence a nationwide verification exercise for foreign nationals residing and employed across the country starting June 1, 2026. 

The Ministry reported that the exercise was intended to strengthen national security, enhance migration management, and ensure full compliance with national labour and immigration legislation. 

It stated that the verification process would specifically target residence permits, work permits, and non-national identity cards held by foreign nationals. 

The Government indicated that the exercise would be carried out by a joint task force, which would include representatives from the Sierra Leone Immigration Department, the Ministry of Employment, Labour and Social Security, the Unified Permit Secretariat, the National Civil Registration Authority (NCRA), and members of the security sector. 

The Ministry clarified that this task force would conduct inspections at various locations, including workplaces, business premises, institutions, project sites, and residential areas where foreign nationals might be working or residing.