Sierra Leone Launches Gold-Backed Life-Time Residency Program

Sierra Leone launched a permanent residency program on December 1, offering lifetime residency rights in exchange for gold investments.

The “GO-FOR-GOLD” program requires investors to purchase physical gold that remains in government vaults for five years.

Sierra Leone approached Stephen Barnes and the Hong Kong Visa Centre to design, create, launch, and manage the program.

“We wanted to create something fundamentally different from existing investment migration programs,” explains Barnes, who brings three decades of industry experience. “The goal was to build a program around Sierra Leone’s natural strengths.”

The program offers three all-inclusive packages, with fees fully refundable if an application is refused for any reason:

• Single applicant: $65,000 plus one kilogram of gold
• Nuclear family: $75,000 plus one kilogram of gold
• Extended family: $100,000 plus two kilograms of gold

The program utilizes 99.99% gold bullion, fully certified to LBMA Good Delivery List Standard and secured by the Central Bank of Sierra Leone.

The gold purchase requirements will adjust downward as gold prices increase over time.

All successful applicants automatically become members of the GFG Club, a network connecting permanent residency stakeholders with Sierra Leone’s business leaders.

“The GFG Club represents our commitment to long-term engagement,” Barnes explains. “Members not only gain preferential access to gold purchases but join a community of investors and entrepreneurs actively participating in Sierra Leone’s growth story.”

Barnes emphasizes the potential for future developments: “We’re particularly excited about phase two of the program, which will include an expedited pathway to naturalization. We’ll reveal more details about this opportunity in the coming weeks.”

The application process remains straightforward, requiring only passport copies and digital photographs, plus marriage and birth certificates for family applications.

“We’ve designed this as a fully remote process,” Barnes notes. “Applicants can complete everything from their home country, including accessing our full range of professional services – from company incorporation to banking solutions, both within Sierra Leone and offshore.”

“Naturally, robust due diligence will be undertaken prior to approval,” says Barnes, but emphasizes that this process “will not be intrusive nor delay the time to application finalization.”

Key program features include:

• 40-day approval process
• No in-country residence requirement
• GFG Club membership
• Option to purchase up to 19 additional kilograms of gold at a discounted rate over five years, available in one-kilogram increments
• No national taxation consequences
• Tax residency certification available
• Banking facilities outside Common Reporting Standard (CRS) framework

“Sierra Leone’s government has been exceptionally collaborative,” Barnes notes. “They understood our vision for an innovative program that would stand apart in the investment migration landscape.”

Hon. Alusine Kanneh, Chief Immigration Officer of Sierra Leone, offered the following statement:

“For over two decades, Sierra Leone has been forging a path defined by resilience and purpose. Under President Julius Maada Wonie Bio’s leadership, initiatives like the GO-FOR-GOLD investment for permanent residence program are unlocking the wealth of our land, strengthening our common law heritage, and channeling the collective ambition of our people.

“Immigration stands as the threshold to our future, and we embrace those who see Africa’s promise and recognize Sierra Leone’s pivotal role within it.

“Sierra Leone is not merely evolving but transforming—redefining what it means to be a modern, inclusive, and forward-thinking nation. By fostering global partnerships, empowering local communities, and embracing innovation, we are positioning ourselves as a leader in Africa’s economic and cultural renaissance.

“Together, we invite the world to join us in this journey, to invest not only in our resources but in the boundless potential of our people and the shared vision of a prosperous, united continent.”

The program requires a $2,000 due diligence fee for authorized partners, refundable upon their first successful client submission. Each approved application earns partners a $12,000 commission. The government has opened the door for authorized partner applications through the official website.

Sierra Leone maintains membership in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), availing wider residency opportunities amongst the 15 member countries.

Applications open December 7.