Post a comment 
The U.S. Embassy in Freetown has announced that the Kentucky Consular Center (KCC) has commenced scheduling Diversity Visa (DV) interviews for eligible candidates in Sierra Leone, with interviews slated through September 30, 2025.
This development comes as Sierra Leonean nationals remain subject to U.S. visa restrictions, a situation that has caused confusion among applicants.
Despite the scheduling of interviews, the Embassy clarified that Sierra Leonean nationals are currently ineligible to receive a Diversity Visa due to these ongoing restrictions.
In a statement, the Embassy reminded applicants, “While visa restrictions remain, Sierra Leone nationals cannot receive a DV, and that the approval of any DV is dependent in part on receiving the results of any medical exams, which can take up to 8 weeks to arrive.”
Partial visa restrictions were imposed on Sierra Leonean nationals on June 4, 2025, by the Trump administration. These restrictions effectively prevent winners of the 2026 Diversity Visa Lottery from entering the United States, impacting many who had hoped for resettlement.
The situation presents a challenging reality for aspiring Sierra Leoneans seeking opportunities in the United States, as the ability to interview does not equate to eligibility for visa issuance under the current restrictions.
