Liberia may not be in most people’s top travel destinations, but it is a country of beautiful, lush greenery, sandy white beaches, and beautiful culture. Liberia traces its roots to the 19th century when the first of the former slaves located there from America, so it is a country of historical significance as well.

This article is a guide to the Liberia visa, including who needs it, the requirements, application process, and other frequently asked questions.

Who Needs a Visa for Liberia?

Nationals of nearly every country in the world have to get a visa before they travel to Liberia, except those of the following countries:

• Benin
• Burkina Faso
• Cape Verde
• Côte d’Ivoire
• The Gambia
• Ghana
• Guinea
• Guinea-Bissau
• Mali
• Niger
• Nigeria
• Senegal
• Sierra Leone
• Togo

Additionally, diplomatic or service passport holders of the following countries do not require a visa for Liberia:

• China
• Kuwait (diplomatic passport holders only)
• South Africa
• Turkey (diplomatic passport holders only)
• Vietnam

What Types of Liberian Visas Are Available to Apply for?

The main types of visas that the Liberian government issues to foreign nationals are:

• Liberia Tourist Visa, for foreigners traveling for tourism, visits, or other non-business related purposes
• Liberia Business Visa, for foreigners traveling to conduct business in Liberia
• Liberia Diplomatic/Official Visa, for foreigners traveling for governmental, diplomatic, or official purposes

Additionally, depending on the duration of stay, there are also:

• Liberian single-entry visa for up to three months
• Liberian multiple-entry visa for up to 1, 2, or 3 years

Note: If your purpose of travel is not included above, it does not mean you cannot visit Liberia. Those are only the most commonly-issued visa types.

What Documents Do I Need for a Liberia Visa Application?

When applying for a Liberia visa, you will need the following documents:

• Your passport, which is valid for at least another six months, and which has at least one blank page
• Two passport-size pictures, with the following requirements:
  • They must be recent (taken within the last six months)
  • Dimensions: 2inch x 2inch
  • White background
  • You must be staring ahead, and all your features must be fully visible
  • Headgear allowed only for religious purposes, and when it does not cover the face 
• The completed and signed Liberia Visa Application Form
• Proof of sufficient financial means to cover your stay (through bank statements)
  • Or alternatively, a Letter of Invitation or Proof of Sponsorship, if applicable 
• Medical insurance for the duration of your stay
• Proof of travel arrangements, such as a flight ticket and travel itinerary
• Proof of accommodation in Liberia, such as a hotel reservation
• Certificate of Yellow Fever Vaccination
• If you’re traveling for business: A letter which explains the reason for your visit, information about your business contact, and is signed by the inviting company.
• If you have a Diplomatic and Official Passport: A Note Verbale
• For minors: A notarized letter of authorization from the parent or guardian

Note: The documents listed above may not apply for all countries as different diplomatic missions will have different requirements.

How Can I Get a Liberia Visa?

For the moment, in order to apply for a Liberia visa, you must contact one of the diplomatic missions of Liberia in your country or a neighboring country (Embassy or Consulate)*. The Liberia visa application process could be outlined as follows:

• Contact a Liberian Consulate or Embassy (see below) to learn about their working days, opening hours, and requirements regarding the submission of Liberian visa applications.
• Complete the Liberia visa application form and collect the required documents. Some diplomatic missions have uploaded the application form on their website, meaning you can simply download it, print it, and complete it. If that is not the case, you can pick up the visa application form at the Embassy or Consulate when you apply.
• Pay the Liberia visa fee.
• Submit the visa application and the required documents at the Liberian Embassy or Consulate. Depending on where you live, and the Embassy/Consulate in which you submit your application, you may have to appear in person or submit the application by mail.
• Attend the Liberia visa interview, if required.
• Wait for the visa to be processed. 
• Pick up your passport, with the visa affixed. Or, if you applied by mail, the diplomatic mission office will mail you back your documents.

*The Liberian government has announced the launch of an online visa application system starting from 2019, but it has not been implemented yet.

How Long Does it Take to Process a Liberia Visa?

The processing time for a Liberia visa depends on the Embassy or Consulate that’s handling your application. However, you should expect to wait at least between 5 – 10 business days from the time that the Embassy or Consulate receives your application, but it can take more.

Different factors may also affect the Liberia visa processing time, such as if you have any documents that need correcting or adding. As such, you should always apply a few weeks before you intend to travel, but no more than three months.

If the Embassy or Consulate you apply through offers express processing, they will process your visa within just 1-3 days, but the service fee will be higher.

Liberia Visa On Arrival

Can I Get a Liberia Visa On Arrival?

You can only get a Liberia Visa On Arrival if you are a citizen of Taiwan or you fulfill one of the following conditions:

• You cannot apply for a Liberia visa at one of the Liberian diplomatic missions, due to the absence of one in your country
• You have to travel to Liberia for an emergency meeting or other business obligation, and you fall under one of the following categories:
  • You are a frequent traveler for business purposes
  • You are the Executive of a Multi-national Company
  • You are a member of a Government Delegation
  • You hold a United Nations Laissez-Passer
  • You hold an African Union Laissez-Passer
  • You hold an ECOWAS Laissez-Passer
  • You hold any other official travel document issued by an International Organization

However, you cannot simply travel to Liberia and get the visa there. You must get an approval letter by email beforehand.

How to Apply for a Liberia Visa On Arrival?

To apply for a Liberia Visa On Arrival either you or a host/representative* in Liberia has to send a letter requesting the Visa On Arrival to The Commissioner General of the Liberia Immigration Service. You must send the letter via email, and it must hold the following information:

• Your name and nationality
• Your passport number
• The reason for your visit to Liberia
• The date of your visit
• The port of entry through which you will enter Liberia
• Flight itinerary
• Proof of accommodation in Liberia, such as the address where you will stay or a hotel reservation

You must also attach the following documents:

• Scanned copy of your passport’s personal information page
• Scanned copy of your return flight ticket

*If someone else is requesting the VOA on your behalf, in addition to the information above, they must also include your email address and the Acceptance of Immigration Responsibility on the request.

The request for the Visa On Arrival Approval Letter is processed within 2 working days.

After you receive the Liberia Visa On Arrival Approval Letter

If the Commissioner-General approves your request:

• They will notify you via email and you will receive the Visa On Arrival Approval Letter. They will also send a copy of it to the airline through which you will fly as well as the point of entry.
• You must pay for the Visa On Arrival online, through the service stated on the website of the Liberia Immigration Service or you can pay through your credit/debit card at the point of entry.
• Travel to Liberia and go through Immigration Clearance at the Port of Entry. You must have the following documents with you:
  • The Visa On Arrival Approval Letter
  • Proof of payment of the visa fee
  • Your passport, which is valid for at least six more months
  • A valid return flight ticket
  • Two passport-size pictures taken recently

Website of the Liberia Immigration Service: http://lis.gov.lr/

Can I get a Liberia Visa Online?

Although the Liberian government announced they would launch an electronic visa for Liberia back in 2018 (to be effective in 2019), the Liberia online visa is still not available. For the moment, you can only get a Liberian visa at a diplomatic mission or on arrival, as described above.

How Long is a Liberia Visa Valid?

The validity of a Liberian visa depends on the type of visa you receive. As such:

• Liberian single-entry visa: Valid for up to three months
• Liberian multiple-entry visa: Valid for up to 1, 2, or 3 years

Can I Extend a Liberia Visa?

You may be able to extend your Liberia visa for another 30 days at an Immigration Office in Liberia before your current visa expires.

How Much are the Liberia Visa Fees?

The visa fees for Liberia depend on the validity of your visa:

• Liberian single-entry visa: $70 – $75
• Liberian multiple-entry visa (1 year): $100 – $150
• Liberian multiple-entry visa (2 years): $200 – $250
• Liberian multiple-entry visa (3 years): $300 – $350

Some Embassies or Consulates offer express processing, which means they process your visa quicker, but the fees for the service will be higher.

Do I Need a visa to Transit in Liberia?

Whether you need a visa to transit in Liberia depends on your nationality as well as the duration of your transit. So, you do not need a Liberia transit visa if:

• You are from one of the visa-exempt countries listed above
• Your transit is for less than 48 hours and you have the flight ticket and visas for the next destination. However, you cannot leave the airport.

If your transit is for longer than 48 hours and you have to leave the airport, then you must get a Liberia Transit Visa from one of the Liberian diplomatic missions abroad.

Where Can I Find a Liberian Embassy or Consulate?

You can find diplomatic representation offices of Liberia in the following countries:

Liberian Embassies around the world

• Embassy of Liberia in Brussels, Belgium
• Embassy of Liberia in Yaounde, Cameroon 
• Embassy of Liberia in Beijing, China
• Embassy of Liberia in Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo
• Embassy of Liberia in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire
• Embassy of Liberia in Cairo, Egypt
• Embassy of Liberia in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
• Embassy of Liberia in Paris, France
• Embassy of Liberia in Berlin, Germany
• Embassy of Liberia in Accra, Ghana
• Embassy of Liberia in Conakry, Guinea
• Embassy of Liberia in Rome, Italy
• Embassy of Liberia in Tokyo, Japan
• Embassy of Liberia in Kuwait City, Kuwait
• Embassy of Liberia in Rabat, Morocco
• Embassy of Liberia in Abuja, Nigeria
• Embassy of Liberia in Doha, Qatar
• Embassy of Liberia in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
• Embassy of Liberia in Dakar, Senegal 
• Embassy of Liberia in Freetown, Sierra Leone
• Embassy of Liberia in Pretoria, South Africa
• Embassy of Liberia in London, The United Kingdom
• Embassy of Liberia in Washington, D.C., United States

Liberian consulates around the world

• Liberian Honorary Consulate General in Buenos Aires, Argentina
• Liberian Honorary Consulate General in Dhaka, Bangladesh
• Liberian Honorary Consulate in N’Djamena, Chad
• Liberian Honorary Consulate General in Willemstad, Curaçao
• Liberian Honorary Consulate General in Limassol, Cyprus
• Liberian Honorary Consulate in Libreville, Gabon
• Liberian Honorary Consulate in Banjul, Gambia
• Liberian Honorary Consulate in Tbilisi, Georgia
• Liberian Honorary Consulate in Bremen, Germany
• Liberian Honorary Consulate in Düsseldorf, Germany
• Liberian Honorary Consulate in Leipzig, Germany
• Liberian Honorary Consulate in Munich, Germany
• Liberian Honorary Consulate General in Athens, Greece
• Liberian Honorary Consulate in Thessaloniki, Greece
• Liberian Honorary Consulate in New Delhi, India
• Liberian Honorary Consulate in Tangier, Morocco
• Liberian Consulate in Lagos, Nigeria
• Liberian Honorary Consulate General in Oslo, Norway
• Liberian Honorary Consulate in Moscow, Russia
• Liberian Honorary Consulate General in Madrid, Spain
• Liberian Honorary Consulate in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
• Liberian Honorary Consulate in Kampala, Uganda
• Liberian Consulate General in Dubai, United Arab Emirates
• Liberian Consulate General in New York, United States
• Liberian Honorary Consulate in Tampa, United States

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