GENERAL INFORMATION ON GHANA’S VISAS

Ghana’s Visas are basically an authorization given to enable a person to travel and present himself/herself for entry into Ghana. It has to be noted that a Visa is not a guarantee of entry into Ghana since it is subject to regularization and the fulfillment of other conditions at the point of entry. The visa policy seeks to facilitate and regulate the entry of foreign nationals in order to determine their eligibility to enter the country under the Immigration laws before they set out.

Moreover, it is to effect a pre-entry check in order to identify and prevent from travelling to Ghana, people likely to pose a threat to national security and/ or to engage in activities that contravene the laws of the country.

There are two broad categories of Ghana Visas; those issued outside Ghana and those issued in Ghana. Visas issued in any of Ghana’s 56 Diplomatic Missions abroad cover single or multiple journeys for periods between six months to five years. Visas issued in Ghana, on the other hand, include Transit Visas, Emergency Entry Visas, Visas on Arrival and Re-Entry Visas.

Where a person appears before an Immigration officer and does not have a visa, an Emergency Entry Visa (EEV) or Visa on Arrival may be granted, subject to conditions as prescribed in the Regulations, and to other conditions that the Immigration officer may impose.

ECOWAS member states and other selected countries in Africa are exempted from obtaining a visa but may be granted entry subject to prescribed conditions. Similarly, holders of Diplomatic or Service Passports of selected countries, persons in direct airside transit, as well as holders of official passports of some specialized agencies are exempted from obtaining a visa.