Post a comment 
Sierra Leone’s Immigration Department is moving to digitize passport services and extend access abroad under a 14-month reform plan presented to the government.
The strategy, submitted to the Minister of Internal Affairs, Morie Lengor Esq., sets out measures to modernize service delivery, strengthen accountability and improve institutional performance, officials said.
Chief Immigration Officer Dr Moses Tiffa Baio outlined the plan on Monday, August 31, 2026, at the department’s headquarters on Gloucester Street. He said key priorities include revising immigration laws, introducing an online passport application system and expanding services for Sierra Leoneans living overseas.
Baio said policy and Cabinet papers for proposed amendments to the Immigration Act have already been submitted for consideration. However, work on implementing regulations and rolling out diaspora passport services has not yet started.
Under the timeline, drafting of regulations is expected to begin by September 20, with presidential assent to the legislation anticipated by November. Authorities plan to gazette the regulations in December, alongside the nationwide rollout of online passport applications.
The department said the transition to digital processing is intended to cut delays associated with paper-based systems. To support access, it is partnering with Africell to provide free Wi-Fi, document-scanning services and application assistance at selected service centres.
Officials also plan to introduce passport application services through Sierra Leone’s embassies and diplomatic missions, targeting citizens in the United Kingdom, United States, Europe, Africa, Australia and parts of Asia. The initiative is expected to launch by March 2027.
Responding to the presentation, the Minister of Internal Affairs, Morie Lengor Esq., said he has been engaging with immigration officials on operational reforms. He urged the department to ensure timely submission of required documents and stressed that effective coordination will be critical to delivering the plan.
Lengor also welcomed progress made under Baio’s leadership and called on the department to sustain efforts to modernize passport services and strengthen immigration administration nationwide.
