SLIS Orders Airlines to Verify Work and Residency Permits Before Boarding Passengers

The Sierra Leone Immigration Service (SLIS) has introduced a stringent new directive targeting international airline carriers operating out of Freetown International Airport in Lungi, in a move aimed at strengthening immigration compliance and border security.

Under the new directive, airlines are now required to act as an initial checkpoint for verifying the residency and work authorization status of all non-citizen passengers before boarding.

According to an official memorandum signed by Harry Cowan, Head of the SLIS Lungi Unit, all international carriers must ensure that passengers present valid Resident Permit Cards and Work Permit Cards prior to departure processing.

The policy applies to airlines including Ethiopian Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Air Sierra Leone, Kenya Airways, Air Peace, Royal Air Maroc, and ASKY Airlines.

The SLIS warned that any airline found in violation of the directive will face a mandatory fine of $3,000 per non-compliant flight.

In addition, the directive stipulates that passengers found with non-authentic or invalid permits will not be allowed to travel, and their luggage must be offloaded immediately, regardless of the stage of flight processing.

Airline staff have been instructed to conduct thorough document verification at the check-in counter before baggage is accepted for processing.

The measure forms part of a broader national security strategy being implemented in collaboration with the Office of National Security (ONS), aimed at ensuring that all foreign nationals residing in Sierra Leone are properly documented and in compliance with immigration laws.

The SLIS has also advised all non-citizen travelers to carry their original permit documentation at all times to avoid travel delays, penalties, or possible denial of boarding.