Liberia

U.S. Embassy Monrovia

502 Benson Street
Monrovia, Liberia
Telephone: (+231)77-677-7000
Emergency after-hours telephone: (+231)77-677-7000
Fax: (+231)77-677-7370
Email: ACSMonrovia@state.gov

Please visit the Embassy's COVID-19 page for more information on entry/ exit requirements related to COVID-19 in Liberia. 

Requirements for Entry:

• Passport with one blank page
• Visa obtained before arrival
• World Health Organization (WHO) card with yellow fever vaccination

If you do not obtain a Liberian visa prior to arrival, you may be deported immediately. Visit the Embassy of Liberia website for the most current visa information.

Sums in excess of $10,000 USD must be reported at the port of entry, and no more than $7,500 USD in foreign currency banknotes can be moved out of the country at one time. Larger sums must be transferred via bank drafts or other financial instruments.

Expect strict enforcement of border controls, and occasional border crossing closings, by Liberian, Ivorian, Sierra Leonean, and Guinean authorities. Corruption has been reported at many border locations and you may be asked for money prior to crossing the border. Some travelers have found that asking for official signed receipts for the payment of any unexpected “fines” can deter requests for bribes.

The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of Liberia.

Find information on dual nationality, prevention of international child abduction and customs regulations on our websites.

Liberia's police force has limited resources. The Liberia National Police have a strong presence in Monrovia, but less of a presence outside of the capital city. The police can be both a source of assistance and a source of problems for visitors. Travelers may be detained by police officers soliciting bribes. You are encouraged to carry a photocopy of your passport with you at all times as proof of identity and citizenship. If detained or arrested, you should ask to contact the U.S. Embassy immediately.

You should be aware of your surroundings at all times and use caution when moving around, especially at night. Travel outside of Monrovia after dark is strongly discouraged, as roads are in poor condition and there are few public street lights. U.S. government employees are prohibited from traveling outside the capital or between counties after dark (with the exception of travel to and from Roberts International Airport).

Avoid crowds, political rallies, and street demonstrations, and maintain security awareness.

Crime: Crimes of opportunity, such as residential burglary or armed robbery (typically using a knife or machete) have affected U.S. citizens and are more common at night. Criminal activity has been reported in both urban and rural areas, including public beaches. The Liberia National Police have limited capacity to respond to crime events.

The local equivalent to the “911” emergency line in Liberia is also 911. However, emergency services are not provided reliably or consistently. Also, there is no landline telephone service in Liberia, and cellular phone communication is subject to occasional disruptions in service. A call to 911 in Liberia may go unanswered, and you should employ other resources to obtain emergency assistance.

Corruption: Corruption is rampant. Poorly paid government officials and private company employees may ask for “fees” for doing their job, and travelers may be inconvenienced for not paying bribes. Requesting official signed receipts for the payment of any unexpected “fines” or “fees” can sometimes deter such improper behavior.

Demonstrations occur frequently. They may take place in response to political or economic issues, on politically significant holidays, and during international events. 

• Even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly become violent. While infrequent, the police may use tear gas.
• Avoid areas around protests and demonstrations. 
• Check local media for updates and traffic advisories.

Scams: Internet romance and financial scams occur in Liberia. Scams are often initiated through Internet postings/profiles or by unsolicited emails and letters. See the Department of State and the FBI pages for information on scams.

Victims of Crime: U.S. citizen victims of sexual assault should seek medical assistance as needed and contact the U.S. Embassy as soon as possible. 

Report crimes to the local police in person or at 911 and contact the U.S. Embassy at + (231) 77-677-7000.

Remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting the crime.

We can:

• help you find appropriate medical care
• assist you in reporting a crime to the police
• contact relatives or friends, with your written consent
• explain the local criminal justice process in general terms
• provide a list of local attorneys
• provide our information on victim’s compensation programs in the U.S.
• provide an emergency loan for repatriation to the United States and/or limited medical support in cases of destitution
• help you find accommodation and arrange flights home
• replace a stolen or lost passport

Domestic Violence: U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence may contact the Embassy for assistance.

Tourism: No formal tourism industry infrastructure is in place. Tourists are considered to be participating in activities at their own risk. Emergency response and subsequent appropriate medical treatment is not available in-country. U.S. citizens are strongly encouraged to purchase medical evacuation insurance as many medical procedures are not available in Liberia. See our webpage for more information on insurance providers for overseas coverage.

Criminal Penalties: You are subject to local laws. If you violate local laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Penalties for possessing, using, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Liberia are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines.

Furthermore, some crimes are also prosecutable in the U.S., regardless of local law. For examples, see our website on crimes against minors abroad and the Department of Justice website.

Arrest Notification: If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Embassy immediately. See our webpage for further information.

Photographs: Photographing military installations, air and sea ports, and important government buildings is prohibited. You should not take photographs of sites or activities that may be considered sensitive, as police may confiscate the camera.

Infrastructure: Lodging, fuel, transportation, utilities, and telephone services are not consistently available, especially outside of Monrovia. Hotel rooms can be difficult to find without an advance reservation. There is no working landline telephone system in Liberia. You should rent or purchase a local cellular phone. Commercial air courier service is available.

Financial Issues: The Liberian dollar is the official currency; however, the U.S. dollar is accepted as legal tender. Liberian dollars are preferred for smaller purchases, especially outside of Monrovia. Wire transfers may be limited and subject to fees if you do not have a Liberian bank account. ATMs are not widely available. Due to a cash shortage in Liberia’s banking sector, it is difficult to obtain adequate cash supplies – both Liberian and U.S. dollars – from ATMs and banks. Traveler's checks and credit cards are not regularly accepted, except at some major hotels in Monrovia. There have been some reports of financial information being compromised even at hotels where credit cards are routinely accepted; always keep your credit card in sight.

Swimming Hazards:

Do not swim alone or after dark and do not walk on any beach after dark. Travelers should seek out and heed posted warnings and refrain from bathing at unmarked, unpatrolled beaches.

Do not swim in the Atlantic Ocean if you are unfamiliar with swimming in water where very strong rip currents occur. Riptides can occur anywhere on the coast. The Liberia Weather Service does not provide information on where and when these tides form, and there are no lifeguards posted on beaches. In some areas, the water may be contaminated with sewage.

Avoid use of alcohol or mind-altering drugs while engaging in water sports. Avoid water where sewage contamination or algae are present. Avoid any exposure (rafting, swimming, or wading) in water known to be infected with schistosomiasis (bilharzia).

Scuba dive only with personnel certified by the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) or the National Associated of Underwater Instructors (NAUI); use equipment only from PADI- or NAUI-certified dive operators. Follow established timetables for air travel after diving. The time from the end of the dive until the boarding of an aircraft is generally between 12 and 24 hours, depending on the type of dive.

Decline water transportation in vessels without personal flotation devices or life jackets.

Wear appropriate footwear when walking, wading, or swimming to avoid injury and exposure to parasites and poisonous plants and animals.

Risk from jellyfish exists, including highly venomous Portuguese man-of-war. Travelers wading, launching boats, or fishing are especially at risk. Risk from coral, stonefish, and sea urchins exists.

Sit on a towel, blanket, or piece of clothing if a chair or hammock is not available because sand may be contaminated in areas frequented by animals. Thoroughly shake out all fabrics after use.

Avoid eating amberjack, bonito, mackerel, mahi-mahi, or tuna due to risk of scombroid poisoning. Low risk of ciguatera poisoning exists in coastal areas and is presumed to have widespread distribution. Travelers should also avoid consumption of reef fish such as amberjack, barracuda, grouper, and snapper. The toxin remains even when these fish are well cooked.

Faith-Based Travelers: See our following webpages for details:

• Faith-Based Travel Information
• International Religious Freedom Report – see country reports
• Human Rights Report – see country reports
• Hajj Fact Sheet for Travelers
• Best Practices for Volunteering Abroad

LGBTI Travelers: Consensual same-sex sexual relations are criminalized in Liberia. Voluntary sodomy is a first-degree misdemeanor with penalties ranging up to one year in prison.

See our LGBTI Travel Information page and section 6 of our Human Rights report for further details.

Travelers with Disabilities: The law in Liberia prohibits discrimination against persons with disabilities, and the law is enforced to the extent possible. Social acceptance of persons with disabilities in public is reported as comparable to the United States due to the visibility of people who are living with injuries sustained in the civil wars or from polio. Expect accessibility to be limited or nonexistent in public transportation, lodging, communication/information, and general infrastructure.

Individuals may be able to purchase second-hand equipment from street markets. Durable medical equipment stores do not exist in Liberia; therefore, anyone who needs equipment or devices should bring them to Liberia. Liberia does not provide hearing aids or repair of hearing aids. Services such as sign language are very limited and only available in Monrovia. Additionally, Liberia does not have an agency that trains or staffs personal assistants for those with disabilities. Individuals needing a personal care assistant would need to hire and train the personal care assistant.

Students: See our Students Abroad page and FBI travel tips.

Women Travelers: Rape is a crime in Liberia punishable by up to life in prison. However, the Liberian government does not effectively enforce the law, and rape is a serious and pervasive problem. Domestic violence also remains a serious problem despite being punishable by up to six months in prison.

Female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) is not specifically against the law in Liberia and is often performed during initiation into the Sande secret societies.

See our travel tips for Women Travelers.

Please visit the Embassy's COVID-19 page for more information on COVID-19 in Liberia.

Hospitals and medical facilities in Liberia are poorly equipped and are incapable of providing many services. Emergency services comparable to those in the United States or Europe are non-existent, and the blood supply is unreliable and unsafe for transfusion. For serious medical problems, you should consider traveling to the United States, Europe, or South Africa for treatment. Within Liberia, medicines are scarce, often beyond expiration dates, possibly counterfeit, and generally unavailable in most areas.

Malaria and yellow fever are prevalent throughout the country. Yellow fever immunization is required to enter Liberia and recommended for all residents. Chemoprophylaxis (anti-malarial medication) is recommended for all travelers, even for short stays. 

You should:

• Carry and use insect repellents containing either 20 percent DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus or IR3535. 
• Treat clothing and tents with permethrin.
• Sleep in screened or air-conditioned rooms under insecticide-impregnated mosquito nets.
• Emergency services are absent or are unreliable in most areas. Some medical facilities in Monrovia do have ambulances but they use these vehicles primarily for patient transport. Emergency services such as those in the United States do not exist in Liberia.
• Ambulances are not equipped with state-of-the-art medical equipment.
• Ambulances are not staffed with trained paramedics and often have little or no medical equipment.
• Injured or seriously ill travelers may prefer to take a taxi or private vehicle to the nearest major hospital rather than wait for an ambulance.

We do not pay medical bills. Be aware that U.S. Medicare does not apply overseas.

Medical Insurance: Make sure your health insurance plan provides coverage overseas. Most care providers overseas only accept cash payments. See our webpage for more information on insurance providers for overseas coverage. 

We strongly recommend supplemental insurance to cover medical evacuation.

If traveling with prescription medication, check with the government of Liberia to ensure the medication is legal in Liberia. Always, carry your prescription medication in original packaging with your doctor’s prescription. 

The following diseases and medical hazards are prevalent:

• Malaria
• Yellow Fever
• Typhoid
• Hepatitis A, B, and C
• Rabies
• Diarrheal Illnesses
• Tuberculosis
• Schistosomiasis
• Onchocerciasis
• Lassa Fever
• Rickettsial Infections
• Snake Bites
• Sexually Transmitted Infections

Vaccinations: Be up-to-date on all vaccinations recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Further health information:

• World Health Organization
• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Air Quality: Visit AirNow Department of State for information on air quality at U.S. Embassies and Consulates.

The U.S. Embassy maintains a list of doctors and hospitals. We do not endorse or recommend any specific medical provider or clinic.

Road Conditions and Safety: Expect time-consuming detours around the many bridges and roads damaged by war, neglect, or the heavy annual rains occurring between May and November. Traffic accidents are frequent and often result in injury or loss of life. Approach intersections with extreme caution. Potholes and poor road surfaces are common. Vehicles are often overloaded with people and goods, and make frequent stops without signaling. Drivers overtake on the right and left lanes. Many vehicles operate with threadbare tires, and blowouts are frequent.

Traffic Laws: Drivers in Liberia are expected to hold either a Liberian or an international driver’s license; a driver’s license from your home country will not be sufficient. At the same time, traffic laws are either nonexistent or not enforced. You are required to pull off the road to make way for high-speed car convoys carrying government officials. Be aware that mob violence is not uncommon if you are involved in a traffic accident. If you are involved in an accident, unless it is physically unsafe to remain in your vehicle, it is often safest to stay in your locked car and call for assistance immediately.

Public Transportation: Public taxis are poorly maintained and usually overloaded. Taxis have been occasionally targeted for robbery. If you must travel as a passenger, it is best to ask a trusted friend to drive you in his or her personal vehicle and to travel with all doors locked and all windows rolled up. Public buses are crowded and may make you vulnerable to pick-pockets or robbers. Three-wheeled “kekes” (motorized rickshaws) are extremely dangerous and should be avoided.

For more information, please visit our Road Safety page. Visit the website of Liberia’s national tourist office and national authority responsible for road safety.

Aviation Safety Oversight: As there is no direct commercial air service to the United States by carriers registered in Liberia, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed the government of Liberia’s Civil Aviation Authority for compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards. Further information may be found on the FAA’s safety assessment page.

Maritime Travel: Mariners planning travel to Liberia should also check for U.S. maritime advisories and alerts. Information may also be posted to the U.S. Coast Guard homeport website, and the NGA broadcast warnings website.