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Sierra Leoneans holding U.S. visas issued prior to the recent travel restrictions will not have their documents revoked, according to Quinn Lorenz, the Consular Chief at the U.S. Embassy in Freetown.
Speaking in an interview with Truth Media, Lorenz clarified the status of travelers caught between the previous policy and the new restrictions that took effect on January 1, 2026.
However, Lorenz emphasized that possession of a valid U.S. visa does not guarantee entry. Final admission decisions will be made by U.S. Customs and Border Protection upon arrival.
He noted that travelers should ensure they meet all entry requirements and comply with any updated regulations before attempting to travel.
Effective January 1, 2026, the US government has imposed a full suspension of entry for Sierra Leonean nationals. This drastic measure follows Presidential Proclamation 10998, signed by President Trump on December 16, 2025, which moved Sierra Leone from a list of countries facing partial restrictions to the “full ban” category.
Under the new directive, the suspension applies to both immigrant visas (for those seeking to move permanently) and nonimmigrant visas (for tourists, students, and business travelers).
The White House stated that Sierra Leone has “demonstrated, persistent, and severe deficiencies” in its identity-management protocols and information-sharing practices, which the administration deems a threat to US national security.
The proclamation groups Sierra Leone with other nations subject to total travel bans, including Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, and Syria. Previously, Sierra Leone had faced only partial restrictions, but the administration determined that the country’s cooperation on vetting and deportations remained insufficient.
