The British High Commission in Freetown has distanced itself from comments published by the Global Times newspaper alleging that UK diplomats had raised concerns over what were described as “frivolous” visa applications by senior Sierra Leone government officials.
The report claimed that the High Commission had expressed concern over requests for UK visas for twenty-three Sierra Leoneans expected to attend a Town Hall meeting in the English city of Leicester between 27 May and 3 June 2026.
According to the article, an unnamed senior UK diplomat allegedly warned that such applications could affect bilateral relations between Sierra Leone and the United Kingdom.
The publication also quoted what it described as a “senior Western diplomatic source” in Freetown as saying that the use of diplomatic channels to secure visas on “frivolous grounds” could erode privileged access to visas.
The report further alleged that the visa processing company handling UK applications in Sierra Leone had been overwhelmed by a surge in questionable requests.
However, in a statement issued afterward, the British High Commission said it was “surprised” by the publication and stressed that it had never been contacted by the newspaper for comment.
“At no point has the Global Times approached the British High Commission on this matter,” the statement said.
The High Commission reaffirmed the importance of UK-Sierra Leone relations and noted that travel between the two countries remains a key part of that partnership, including through the recent introduction of e-visas intended to streamline applications for Sierra Leoneans travelling to the UK.
It added that all visa applications are assessed individually and in accordance with UK immigration rules.
“The UK visa system is designed to facilitate legitimate travel while maintaining the integrity of our borders,” the statement said.
The mission also said it welcomes applications from Sierra Leone and remains committed to a “fair, consistent and professional process.”
