Liberia Visa Application
Liberia, the first and oldest republic in Africa, has attracted a growing number of tourists, missionaries and other visitors the past few years.
The country has maintained strong ties to the United States since its founding in 1832 and maintains English as its official language. The country (originally known as Monrovia, a tribute to U.S. President James Monroe) began as a settlement established by the American Colonization Society for freed American slaves. Over the next 40 years, some 12,000 former slaves and free-born African-Americans voluntarily moved to the colony on the Atlantic Ocean in West Africa. In 1847, the country declared itself the Free and Independent Republic of Liberia with the city of Monrovia as its capital. The country modeled its government on the U.S. Constitution.
English-speaking American-Liberians have historically led the country despite only comprising five percent of the population (which is made up of 16 ethnic groups). While European countries colonized most of Africa through the early 1900s, Liberia maintained its independence. The country mostly centered around the Atlantic coast until efforts were made in the early twentieth century to open the interior region, building roads and (in 1951) a 43-mile railroad connecting Monrovia to the Borni Hills.
Liberia has primarily made news in recent years because of civil turmoil. In 1980, a military coup sparked years of government instability and two civil wars in which more than 250,000 people died (about eight percent of the total population). A peace agreement in 2003 led to democratic elections and a stable environment. (In 2006, Liberians chose Ellen Johnson Sirleaf as the first female elected head of state in Africa.) However, the Ebola virus epidemic in the mid-2010s further devastated an economy and society that had not yet recovered from decades of political instability. As a result, many of the visitors to Liberia in recent years have been missionaries and church groups helping the local population recover.
In recent years, the Liberian government and local tourism foundations have made a strong effort to restore the tourism industry. Monrovia on the Mesurado River is home to almost 20 percent of the country’s 4.7 million citizens. The city boasts the National Museum of Liberia (which traces the country’s history through art and tribal masks) and the bustling Waterside Market. Natural wonders include the 700-square-mile Sapo National Park, the East Nimba Nature Preserve and the Kpatawee Waterfalls. Some 350 miles of Atlantic shoreline offer the surfing beaches of Robertsport and access to plentiful deep-sea fishing.
Obtaining a Visa
Americans planning to visit Liberia need to obtain a Liberia visa before leaving the United States, as they are not issued upon arrival. The government maintains an embassy in Washington, D.C. (http://www.liberianembassyus.org/index.php?page=consular), as well as consulates in Atlanta (http://liberianconsulatega.com) and New York City (http://liberiaconsulate-ny.com). You can mail your application and supporting documentation to the consulate on your own; use a professional agent such as Visa Supply; or appear in person at one of the three offices. However, if you want to apply at the consulate in Atlanta or New York, you first need to make an appointment.
Visa requirements include a U.S. passport valid for at least another six months; a completed, signed application; two passport-style photographs; proof of travel arrangements; and a copy of your Yellow Book (International Certifications of Immunization). Per World Health Organization (WHO) regulations, anyone entering Liberia must have proof of vaccination against yellow fever. If you are traveling with a minor, you must supply a notarized letter from the child’s parent or legal guardian.
It typically takes 10 business days to process the application, so the embassy suggests applying at least two weeks ahead of your departure date. However, Visa Supply suggests allowing at least a month, in case of slow mail delivery or other delays. Fees begin at $130 for a single, one- to three-month visa, with additional charges for expedited processing.
Liberia Visa Application
Here are the application forms for the three different consulates:
Washington DC Application Form
New York City Application Form
The Liberian government stresses that incomplete applications will not be processed and are returned at the applicant’s expense, and fees will not be refunded. To ensure accuracy and quick turnaround, Visa Supply can also hand-carry your documents to the embassy in Washington on your behalf. To learn more about obtaining a Liberia visa or for help filing your application, you can schedule a free telephone consultation through our website.
