Rules of entry and stay
Citizens of 14 countries are exempt from the visa regime with Liberia: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Cote d'Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo.
What documents are required to enter Liberia?
To enter Liberia, it is necessary to have official travel documents, especially the passport of the country of origin, documents issued by international organizations such as the UN, ECOWAS and the AU.
For all other countries of the world, a visa is required for entry. It can be obtained by contacting the Liberian embassy or consulate nearest you, or upon arrival.
What types of Liberian visas are available for application?
The main types of visas that the government of Liberia issues to foreigners are:
- Liberia tourist visa for foreigners traveling for tourism, visits or other non-business purposes;
- Liberian business visa for foreigners traveling to do business in Liberia;
- Diplomatic/official visa to Liberia for foreigners traveling for government, diplomatic or official purposes.
In addition, depending on the length of stay, there are:
- Liberia single-entry visa for up to three months;
- Liberia multiple-entry visa for up to 1, 2 or 3 years.
If the purpose of your trip is not listed above, it does not mean that you cannot visit Liberia. These are just the most common types of visas.
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What documents do I need to apply for a visa to Liberia?
When applying for a visa to Liberia, you will need the following documents:
- A passport that is valid for at least another six months and has at least one blank page.
- Two passport size photographs with the following requirements:
– They must be recent (taken within the last six months)
– Dimensions: 2 x 2 inches
– White background
– The photo must be taken full-face, all facial features must be fully visible
– A headdress is permitted only for religious purposes and when it does not cover the face.
- Completed and signed application form for a visa to Liberia.
- Confirmation of the availability of sufficient funds to pay for your stay (via bank statements). Or, alternatively, a letter of invitation or confirmation of sponsorship.
- Medical insurance for the duration of the stay.
- Confirmation of travel arrangements such as flight ticket and travel itinerary.
- Proof of residency in Liberia, such as a hotel reservation.
- Yellow fever vaccination certificate.
Minors will additionally need: a notarized power of attorney from their parents or guardians.
All these documents will be needed to obtain a tourist visa to Liberia.
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How long does it take to get a visa to Liberia?
The processing time for a visa to Liberia depends on the embassy or consulate that is processing your application. However, you should wait at least 5-10 working days from the moment the embassy or consulate receives your application.
You should apply for a visa a few weeks before your trip, but no later than three months.
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Visa on arrival to Liberia
Visa on arrival (VoA) is issued at the port of entry into Liberia.
You can enter Liberia only with a valid visa on arrival approval letter. A visa on arrival is issued to visitors who may not be able to obtain a visa at Liberian missions or embassies in their countries of residence due to the absence of a Liberian mission or an urgent need to fulfill business or work activities in Liberia.
Who is eligible for a visa on arrival in Liberia:
- Business people who travel often
- Managers of transnational companies
- Members of government delegations
- UN pass owners
- African Union pass owners
- ECOWAS Laissez-Passer owners
- Owners of any other official travel documents from recognized international organizations intending to visit Liberia.
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How to apply for a visa on arrival
Step 1: Get your Visa on Arrival Approval Letter (VoA)
An approval letter can be obtained in two ways: apply by email, in person or through a representative or relative in Liberia.
Applying by email
The applicant/representative writes a letter of application to the Commissioner General of the Liberian Immigration Service stating why they want a VoA. The letter should be sent to the email address:
[email protected] with the following information:
- Applicant's name with indication of citizenship
- Applicant's passport number
- The purpose of the visit
- Probable date of visit
- Probable point of arrival
- Flight route
- Address in Liberia or hotel reservation.
Attach the following documents to the letter:
- A copy of the passport data page
- A copy of the airline's return ticket reservation.
Once approved, a letter will be sent to your email with a copy to be sent to the airline listed on your application and the immigration point of entry.
Apply through your representative in Liberia
1. Contact your representative (business partners, company representative, etc.) in Liberia.
2. The representative submits a formal request for visa approval on arrival on your behalf by writing a letter of application to the Commissioner-General of Immigration stating the following:
- The name of the applicant with an indication of citizenship,
- Passport number of the visitor
- The purpose of the visit
- Probable date of visit
- Probable point of arrival
- Probably the airline
- Flight route
- Address in Liberia
- Visitor's email address
- Accepting responsibility for immigration.
3. To confirm the application, the representative attaches the following documents:
- A copy of the visitor's passport data page
- A copy of the airline's return ticket reservation.
After your representative receives the approval letter (printed copy), copies of this document will be sent to the airline specified in the application and the immigration point of entry.
Step 2: Pay for your visa on arrival
Payment can be made at the point of arrival subject to presentation of a VoA approval letter. MasterCard, Visa and American Express are accepted.
Step 3: Arrival at the point of entry and immigration control
Upon arrival at the port of entry, approach the counter marked "Visa on Arrival" to issue an entry visa. At the port of entry, present the following documents in printed form:
- Visa approval letter on arrival, valid for 14 days from the date of issue
- Confirmation of payment
- A valid passport with a validity period of at least six months
- A valid return ticket
- Two recent passport size photos.
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Processing time for a visa to Liberia
The request should be processed and a confirmation letter sent in case of a positive response within 48 hours (2 business days).
You can read more about the visa on arrival in Liberia at the
link on the website of the Immigration Service of Liberia.
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Can I extend my visa to Liberia?
You can extend your visa to Liberia for an additional 30 days at an Immigration office in Liberia before your current visa expires.
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How much does a visa to Liberia cost?
The cost of a visa to Liberia depends on the validity period of your visa:
- Liberia single entry visa: $70 – $75
- Liberia multiple entry visa (1 year): $100 – $150
- Liberia multiple entry visa (2 years): $200 – $250
- Liberia multiple entry visa (3 years): $300 – $350.
Some embassies and consulates offer express processing, but the fee for this service will be higher.
Documents required to enter Liberia with pets:
1. Microchip for pets
In Liberia, your pet is not required to be identified by a microchip. But it is recommended that your pet still has a microchip and your registered contact information as a means of identification in case your pet gets lost.
If the pet does not have a registered microchip, make sure it has identification tags and the owner's contact information.
2. Vaccinations
Your pet must be vaccinated against rabies no earlier than 3 months before traveling in Liberia and no more than 12 months in advance.
3. Rabies titer test
A rabies titer test is not required for entry into Liberia.
4. Health certificate
It is necessary to have a Veterinary Certificate for animals for entry into Liberia, completed shortly before travel.
5. Import permit
You will need a special permit from the Ministry of Agriculture to import a pet into Liberia.