UK Spouse Visa checklist for UK Sponsor and Sierra Leonean national applicant written by UK Immigration Lawyer Mr Saleh Begh

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1. Your nationality and residence : British (United Kingdom)

2. Your partner nationality and residence : Sierra Leonean (Sierra Leone)

The information and document checklist below is for you, if you are a British citizen (or holding UK permanent residence) and your partner is a Sierra Leonean national.
Sierra-Leone  Freetown , Kenema , Bo , Koidu , Makeni , Lunsar , Port Loko , Kabala , Kambia , Magburaka
You currently reside in United Kingdom whereas your partner resides in Sierra Leone .

Full UK Spouse Visa Guide - Sierra Leone .

UK Spouse Visa Sierra Leone Checklist Contents

UK Spouse Visa Key Considerations for Family Visa from Sierra Leone
UK Partner Visa from Freetown, Sierra Leone
Checklist for UK Family Visa (British and Sierra Leonean)
UK Home Office Approved TB Medical Centres in Sierra Leone
UK Home Office Approved English Tests Centres in Sierra Leone

UK Spouse Visa Key requirements

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The Immigration Rules state that :
  • you both must be over the age of 18;
  • you must have met each other in person and be legally married, unless you are applying as an unmarried partner [alternatively] apply for a UK Marriage Visa or a UK Fiancée visa both have different requirements. | );
  • you both must intend to live together permanently in the UK (not Sierra Leone) ;
  • you must have enough income to support yourselves and any dependants without claiming public funds (unless of course, you receive PIP / DLA / CA .. [Read more]);
  • the sponsor must hold and evidence British / ILR / EUSS / Refugee status documents.
  • they must have suitable accommodation for you and any dependent children;
  • and you must satisfy the English language requirements and have a medical certificate for TB (where required).

    UK family Visa

    Now let's look into the various aspects of the requirements listed above when you are British and your partner is Sierra Leonean and you reside in United Kingdom and your partner resides in Sierra Leone. Since your partner is a Sierra Leonean national, they would need UK immigration status documents to live and work in the UK. If you are not yet British but have Indefinite leave to remain (ILR), Permanent Residency (EEA PR) or Refugee status, then your partner can join you on the Partner route and enter or remain in the UK legally.

    We note that your partner is a visa national (Sierra Leonean) for UK travel purposes. This means they would normally need to obtain a visa from the British Embassy or UK Visa office / Commercial partner office (VFS Global), prior to their travel to the UK.

    UK Spouse Visa Documents Checklist - Freetown - Sierra Leone

    Wafi Solicitors
    16 Upper Woburn Pl
    London WC1H 0AF, UK
    00442071935178
    saleh@wafi.co.uk

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    UK Spouse Visa Checklist April 2026
    Freetown - Sierra Leone

    Key Forms / Documents
    Online application form ;
    Online application checklist ;
    VFS Global Appointment document and QR code ;
    Statutory Declaration by sponsor ;

    Identity
    Sierra Leonean Passport (All Pages);
    Copy of UK Sponsor Passport (Data page) ;
    Copy of Sponsor (ILR / Refugee status document (if not British) ;
    English test centres
    Approved A1 English test certificate from test centre in Freetown - Sierra Leone
    Approved English Test Centres in Sierra Leone

    Tuberculosis Testing Centres
    Approved TB medical test certificate from test centre in Sierra Leone
    Approved TB Test Centres in Sierra Leone

    UK Visa Application Centres in Sierra Leone
    VFS Global Office Sierra Leone has application centres in Freetown .

    UK Spouse Visa Application Checklist (Sample April 2026 - Isatu and Abu)

    1. Visa applicant, Isatu’s Sierra Leonean passport (SI7976983) Submitted at VFS Global office in Freetown, Sierra Leone;
    2. Copy of Isatu’s online Application form (UAN 1212-0001-7698-5600);
    3. Copy of UK sponsor, Abu’s British Passport (Number: 145005600) or Abu’s Sierra Leonean passport plus his UK status documents (eVisa);
    4. Duly Completed Isatu's online Application Checklist (GWF06983600);

    Financial (Sponsor, Abu who is British and Employed)
    5. Abu’s Statutory Declaration and Sponsorship undertaking form SU07 ;
    6. Letter from Abu’s employer dated in April 2026;
    7. Offer letter and Employment Contract document for Abu ;
    8. Abu’s Payslips (Monthly – Sept 2025* to April 2026);
    9. Abu’s Bank Statements (1 Sept 2025* to 1 April 2026).
    * Abu may need 12 months (From April 2025) instead of 6 where Abu's monthly gross pay varies and is less than the required monthly amount, currently £2,416.67 (£29,000 / 12) for each and every month during the previous 6 months prior to application date.

    Financial (Sponsor, Abu has Savings or receives exempted State Benefits)
    If Abu is not employed but has the required savings or Abu receives PIP, CA or Disability benefits he would provide (instead of items 6 to 8 above) evidence of benefit award and needs to meet the maintaince route requirements. In the case of savings, Abu would need to provide evidence of source of savings and minimum balance held during the previous 6 months. Isatu’s savings can also be used. Her funds would need to be converted from Sierra Leone Leone to British pounds.

    Accommodation (Adequate for the British Sierra Leonean couple plus any children)
    10. Abu’s Tenancy Agreement or Ownership evidence (if owning) ;
    11. Landlord / Estate Agents consent letter or housing report (owning) for Abu's flat ;
    12. Abu’s Council tax statement and other UK residence evidence.

    English & TB Certificates (Both tests are required for Sierra Leonean nationals.)
    13. Approved A1 English test certificate from test centre in Freetown - Sierra Leone
    Approved English Test Centres in Sierra Leone
    14. Approved TB medical test certificate from test centre in Sierra Leone
    Approved TB Test Centres in Sierra Leone

    Relationship (Genuine subsisting and durable between Abu and Isatu)
    15. Abu and Isatu's original Marriage Certificate with translation (if married) and joint residence evidence (where unmarried but living together for 2 years plus) ;
    16. Copy of Sierra Leone / UK visit stamps, entry & exit plus flights bookings for Abu and Isatu;
    17. Telephone and Whatsapp chat log records between Abu and Isatu;
    18. Screenshots of conversations by Whatsapp between Abu and Isatu;
    19. Various Funds Remittance Receipts sent to Isatu in Sierra Leone by Abu ;
    20. Selection of Sierra Leonean wedding and other personal photographs of Abu and Isatu.
    21. if Abu and Isatu are not married but only engaged - evidence of Abu's venue booking and other commitments for marriage in the UK awaiting Isatu's arrival ;
    22. if Abu previously married - Abu's Divorce certificate or Widower - Death certificate (issued in the UK or Sierra Leone ). Same for Isatu if applicable.

    Children and other ties (British or Sierra Leonean and where applicable)
    23. Child, Mariatu's birth certificate, copy of Mariatu's passport and other evidence of family ties and Abu and Isatu's parental responsibility for the child.

    Non-English documents (from Sierra Leone)
    24. English translation of Abu and Isatu's Marriage / divorce certificate.

    Criminal record and immigration history (In Sierra Leone and the UK - Applicant only)
    25. Documents relating to Isatu's good character and immigration history and mitigation (if Isatu's previous visa was refused or was an UK over-stayer).
    26. Isatu's financial standing and settlement of NHS and other debts.

    Complicated situation or unsure about what to include?
    Wafi Solicitors can guide you through the process with ease and get the positive outcome you seek first time. | |

    Wafi Solicitors – All Rights Reserved. No part of this document may be copied or reproduced without prior written permission.

    No liability accepted for accuracy, completeness, or reliability of data provided.
    Abu, Isatu, Alhassan, Mariatu and other names used above do not relate to any actual persons. They are used for illustration purposes only.

    Tuberculosis tests for UK spouse visa applicants

    Your partner is at a location (Sierra Leone ) where Tuberculosis (TB) medical testing is required for UK Visas (longer than 6 months, such as Spouse Visa). If they are the applicant they will need to consider taking the test. Please note that TB test certificate is only valid for up to 6 months. Approved TB Test Centres in Sierra Leone .This is test is required for UK Family visas when you are resident in Sierra Leone.

    UK Home Office Approved TB Test centres in Sierra Leone

    Click here for UK Government TB testing in Sierra Leone Website
    (opens in a new window)
    Approved TB Test Centres in Sierra Leone

    A1 level English test required

    Your partner is a Sierra Leonean national and thus not exempt from the English language requirements for a Spouse / Partner visa, they would need to take the A1 / A2 (extension) or provide other English language evidence.

    If you are already in the UK (on a different visa or for visa extension application) You can take a SELT with the providers mentioned above or with Trinity College London. Click here for UK Spouse Visa English test centres in the UK

    Did you know Freetown, Sierra Leone is 5,600 KM (3,480 miles) from London, England. Flight time to London is 7 Hours. Sierra Leone has a population of 7,976,983 (2021) and they use Sierra Leonean leone. One British pound is equal to 23924.5 Sierra Leone Leone.


    UK Spouse Visa British and Sierra Leonean Freetown , Kenema , Bo , Koidu , Makeni , Lunsar , Port Loko , Kabala , Kambia , MagburakaUK Spouse Visa British and Sierra Leonean Freetown , Kenema , Bo , Koidu , Makeni , Lunsar , Port Loko , Kabala , Kambia , Magburaka
    Please remember that all UK Family Visa applications are now done online and your UK Visa Application Centre for Sierra Leone, VFS Global Office could be in a different city. You may need to plan ahead and travel for your tests and visa appointments. These are the large cities in Sierra Leone Freetown , Kenema , Bo , Koidu , Makeni , Lunsar , Port Loko , Kabala , Kambia , Magburaka. Only a few cities will have a VFS Global Office UK Spouse Visa Application Centre (Sierra Leone)

    UK Spouse Visa Fees April 2026

    UK spouse Visa Application fees is £1,938
    You will pay $2,395 United States Dollars or a little more for your application.
    View live fees UK Spouse Visa fees for Sierra-Leone now !

    Please get in touch ( UK 00442071935178 or email saleh@wafi.co.uk ) for more specific information, free 5 minute consultation is offered or leave a question or comment below and we will get in touch (dont forget to include your contact number ).

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    About the author

    Saleh Begh is a Solicitor (English Attorney) with 15 years experience in UK Immigration and Family law. He routinely deals with complicated Immigration and family law matters. Read more about Saleh Begh For guidance, options and tips contact us | |

    Heading to the UK, which is your nearest Sierra Leonean Airport?

    Is it Freetown, (Lungi Airport) . Which city do you live in, is it? Freetown , Kenema , Bo , Koidu , Makeni , Lunsar , Port Loko , Kabala , Kambia , Magburaka or somewhere else. We can help you with your UK Spouse Visa from Sierra Leone

    Did you know that the following cities in Sierra Leone had large populations - Freetown ( 1272145 )