The U.S. Embassy Freetown has discontinued issuing all immigrant visas for Sierra Leonean citizens and nationals applying in Freetown, with limited exceptions, as of September 11, 2020. This action was taken pursuant to section 243(d) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). 

Applicants who are applying for an immigrant visa for their adopted child should work directly with Embassy Freetown’s consular section to request the waiver. To qualify for an exception to the order, the consular officer must determine that the applicant’s entry would not pose a threat to the national security or public safety of the United States and that the applicant’s entry would be in the national interest of the United States. Further, the Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs must determine that not issuing a visa at this time would cause the applicant exceptional hardship.  

More information can be found at the U.S. Embassy Freetown website: Immigrant Visas | U.S. Embassy in Sierra Leone.