By Davida Spaine-Solomon
Freetown, 30th August, 2026 – Sierra Leoneans with eligible United Kingdom ancestry are among citizens of 22 African countries who can apply for the UK’s Ancestry Visa – a five-year immigration route that allows qualifying Commonwealth citizens to live and work in the UK, with a pathway to permanent settlement.
The development, highlighted by the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs (MTCA), could strengthen links between Sierra Leone and its diaspora and create opportunities for greater engagement in heritage tourism, cultural initiatives and investment in the country’s tourism sector.
Under the UK Ancestry Visa scheme, applicants must be Commonwealth citizens aged 17 or above and prove that at least one grandparent was born in the UK, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man. Applicants must also demonstrate that they are financially independent and intend to work in the UK.
According to the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs in a Facebook post today, successful applicants are permitted to work, including through self-employment and voluntary activities, and may qualify to apply for indefinite leave to remain after five years of continuous residence, subject to meeting the relevant requirements.
For Sierra Leone, the scheme could provide an avenue for deeper diaspora engagement, particularly among those with ancestral links to Britain. Tourism stakeholders believe stronger connections between Sierra Leoneans in the UK and communities at home could encourage investment in heritage tourism and cultural projects.
Increased movement between the two countries could also strengthen cultural ties and boost international visibility for Sierra Leone’s tourism attractions, including historic sites such as Bunce Island and major cultural events like the One Nation Reggae Festival.
Tourism officials argued that Sierra Leoneans who establish themselves in the UK could serve as informal cultural ambassadors, helping to promote the country as a tourism destination and potentially attracting visitors, investment and partnerships in the hospitality and cultural sectors.
However, awareness of the Ancestry Visa and its requirements remains a concern. Stakeholders are urging the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs to work with diaspora organisations and networks to raise awareness of the opportunity and explore ways to convert stronger diaspora links into tourism and cultural investment.
As Sierra Leone seeks to broaden its economy beyond traditional sectors, such as mining and agriculture, stakeholders say stronger engagement with the diaspora could help position the country’s cultural heritage and tourism assets as important drivers of economic growth.
