Change to Opening Hours for New Applications.

Due to staff shortages we have changed our opening hours for new applications. We apologise for any inconvenience caused. We will accept applications for those who have travelled to the UK previously between 0830 to 0930, Monday to Thursday. All other applications are accepted between 0930 and 1030, Monday to Thursday. The office is closed to the public on Fridays, weekends and public holidays.

For general enquiries please telephone 076541383 (local) or 00 232 76 541383 (international) between 14:00 and 16:00, or e-mail us at freetown.visa.enquiries@fco.gov.uk. Please note that the telephone line for general enquiries is only operational between 14:00 and 16:00.

All visa applications must be submitted on-line.

From 30 June 2008, highly skilled migrants wanting to come to the UK to work should apply under a new Points Based System.

Read more in the Visas Section.

The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has launched a new blogging platform.

This is a new platform for UK Ministers to engage in a dialogue about international affairs and the work of the FCO. To begin with there will be six bloggers including Foreign Secretary David Miliband, and Europe Minister Jim Murphy, as well as staff from throughout the organisation. The FCO has also launched a new YouTube video channel and Flickr photo account.