FREETOWN – The United States has released its list of countries eligible for the 2025 Visa Waiver Program, once again excluding all 54 African nations, including Sierra Leone.
The program grants visa-free entry to the U.S. for short visits, benefiting 40 nations across Europe, Asia, and parts of the Middle East. This year, Romania was newly added, while the United Kingdom remains excluded but eligible under special conditions.
For African countries, the omission is not new, but highlights ongoing barriers to securing easier U.S. travel access. The U.S. government has long cited concerns over immigration violations, fraud, and security risks as reasons for maintaining strict visa requirements for African nations.
Under President Donald Trump’s administration, immigration policies have become even stricter, with increased deportations and tightened border controls disproportionately affecting African and Latin American immigrants. Thousands of undocumented Africans in the U.S. now face a higher risk of removal under these renewed crackdowns.
Sierra Leone, like many other African nations, faces high visa rejection rates. Experts point to factors such as economic instability, high numbers of visa overstays, and limited diplomatic influence as reasons for the continued exclusion.
The Visa Waiver Program allows travelers from eligible nations to visit the U.S. for up to 90 days without a visa, provided they obtain prior approval through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). While intended to boost tourism and business ties, the program’s exclusion of African nations continues to raise concerns about the fairness of U.S. immigration policies and its diplomatic stance toward the continent.
For now, Sierra Leoneans seeking entry into the U.S. must continue navigating the lengthy and often difficult visa application process.