Sierra Leone’s GO‑FOR‑GOLD citizenship program has added two lower‑cost investor routes that take effect on 1 October 2026, reducing the contribution for solo applicants from $140,000 to $95,000.
Solo Entrepreneur route
- Main contribution: $95,000
- Due‑diligence fee: $5,000 (total $100,000)
- Dependants: Not permitted
- DNA testing: Not required
- Business incorporation: Optional
The option targets individual entrepreneurs, mobile professionals and investors who do not need to include family members in the application.
Enterprise Citizenship route
- Applicants: Exactly two unrelated adults applying together
- Contribution per applicant: $80,000
- Shared due‑diligence fee: $5,000 (combined total $165,000, or $82,500 per person before other charges)
- Dependants: Not permitted
This joint‑application route is aimed at business partners or co‑investors who wish to share application costs.
Fast‑Track Citizenship (existing family‑inclusive route)
- Main contribution: $140,000
- Due‑diligence fee: $5,000 (covers up to five people)
- Dependent fees: $10,000 per spouse, minor child or parent; $20,000 per adult dependent (adult child under 30, sibling)
Fast‑Track remains the only option that allows dependants to be included in a single application.
Heritage Citizenship
- Eligibility: Applicants who can prove African ancestry through DNA testing.
- Contribution (effective 1 Oct 2026): $120,000 (up from $100,000).
Other options
- Gold‑backed permanent residency: A residency‑based pathway with separate eligibility and financial requirements, distinct from immediate citizenship.
Practical considerations
- Total cost: The quoted contributions do not include additional administrative, legal or third‑party due‑diligence fees; applicants should obtain a full cost breakdown before proceeding.
- Family inclusion: Only the Fast‑Track route permits dependants; the Solo Entrepreneur and Enterprise routes are limited to applicants without family members.
- Residency requirement: The program allows remote applications; there is no mandatory physical relocation to Sierra Leone.
- Passport benefits: Citizenship provides a Sierra Leone passport and ECOWAS regional mobility, but visa‑free access varies by destination and does not automatically confer tax advantages.
Comparison with other citizenship‑by‑investment programs
- For families seeking a comparable cost structure, Vanuatu citizenship is cited at $165,000 for 1–4 people, positioning Sierra Leone’s Fast‑Track as a higher‑priced family option relative to its new individual routes.
Prospective investors should weigh the lower individual contribution of the Solo Entrepreneur route against the need for family inclusion, the joint‑cost sharing of Enterprise Citizenship, and the broader family coverage of Fast‑Track, while accounting for all ancillary fees and the specific benefits of a Sierra Leone passport.
Source article: apexcapital.one
