Sierra Leone will restructure its citizenship‑by‑investment program on 1 October 2026, adding two new routes for applicants without dependents and raising the fee for its Heritage (ancestry‑based) option.
New Solo Entrepreneur route
- Fee: US $95,000 for the main applicant plus a US $5,000 due‑diligence charge (total $100,000).
- Eligibility: Single applicant only; no dependents may be added.
- Purpose: Provides a lower‑cost alternative to the existing US $140,000 Fast‑Track route for solo investors who do not qualify for the ancestry‑based program.
Enterprise Citizenship (two unrelated applicants)
- Fee: US $80,000 per applicant, with a shared US $5,000 due‑diligence fee (combined total $165,000).
- Eligibility: Exactly two unrelated main applicants; no dependents allowed.
- Additional cost: An extra US $1,000 may be required for a separate notarial session.
- Background: Replaces the 2025 two‑partner structure that charged US $85,000 per applicant.
Heritage Citizenship (ancestry‑based)
- Fee increase: Main applicant fee rises from US $100,000 to US $120,000; due‑diligence fee remains US $5,000 (total $125,000 before DNA testing or document‑preparation costs).
- Requirements: Proof of African ancestry via DNA testing.
- Dependent fees (unchanged):
- Spouse, minor children, parents, grandparents – US $10,000 each.
- Adult children and siblings under 30 – US $20,000 each.
- Example: A family of four (main applicant, spouse, two minor children) would cost roughly US $155,000 including due diligence, versus US $175,000 under Fast‑Track.
Fast‑Track Citizenship (no ancestry requirement)
- Fee: US $140,000 for the main applicant; same dependent fees as Heritage.
- Use case: Allows inclusion of family members without ancestry proof.
Plus One (formerly “+1 Business Partner”)
- Fee: US $30,000 to add one unrelated adult to a Heritage or Fast‑Track application.
- Note: Company incorporation, previously bundled with citizenship, becomes optional.
Summary of fee structures (including standard due‑diligence)
| Route | Main applicant fee | Due‑diligence | Total for single applicant |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solo Entrepreneur | US $95,000 | US $5,000 | US $100,000 |
| Heritage (single) | US $120,000 | US $5,000 | US $125,000 |
| Fast‑Track (single) | US $140,000 | US $5,000 | US $145,000 |
| Enterprise (pair) | US $80,000 each | US $5,000 shared | US $165,000 total |
Context and objectives
- The GO‑FOR‑GOLD initiative began as a gold‑backed permanent‑residency scheme in December 2024, added accelerated citizenship pathways in January 2025, and expanded later that year to include more relatives and business partners.
- Program architect Stephen Barnes cites a target of about 4,000 families over five years, aiming to attract entrepreneurs, investors, and business activity to Sierra Leone. These goals are stated by the program’s designers and have not been independently verified.
Practical considerations for applicants
- Solo investors should compare the Solo Entrepreneur fee (US $100,000 total) with the Fast‑Track fee (US $145,000 total) and factor in any external costs such as legal or processing fees.
- Business partners can choose Enterprise Citizenship (US $165,000 for two) rather than filing two separate Solo applications, saving US $30,000 compared with two Fast‑Track routes.
- Families with African ancestry may still find Heritage Citizenship cheaper than Fast‑Track, despite the $20,000 increase for the main applicant.
- Applicants needing to add an unrelated adult can use the Plus One option for an additional US $30,000, regardless of the primary route chosen.
The October 2026 changes segment Sierra Leone’s citizenship‑by‑investment offerings more sharply by applicant profile—solo investors, business partners, families, or those adding an unrelated partner—each with distinct fee structures and eligibility criteria.
Source article: outboundinvestment.com
