Government Of Ghana's Response To US Visa Restrictions

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs takes note of the recent publication by the US Government on the revision of the reciprocity schedule for a considerable number of African countries including Ghana, reducing the B1/B2 visa validity from 5 years multiple entry to 3 months single entry. 

The Ministry acknowledges the legitimate concerns of Ghanaian travellers to the United States - for professional, business, educational, touristic, medical and family purposes •and expresses its firm solidarity with all those inconvenienced.

Ghana recognizes the sovereign right of every country to determine its visa regime, but notes that the present limitations imposed by the United States varies substantially the prior reciprocal arrangements that Ghana has kept with the United States.

While the Government of Ghana studies the current developments more closely and considers its options, Government remains committed to working expeditiously with its longstanding partner, the US Government.

We hope for an early resolution of the concerns that have led to the revision of the schedule which have been confirmed to be overstays, including by ensuring that the conduct of applicants align with the visa application procedures and requirements of the United States.

It is worth highlighting that from January, 2025 to date, Forty Thousand Six Hundred and Forty-Eight (40,648) visas have been issued by Ghana's missions in Washington D.C and New York. Out of this, Twenty-Eight Thousand, Six Hundred and Twenty Six (28,626) are multiple entry visas to Ghana. Consistent with our bilateral arrangements, US passport holders are entitled to a maximum visa validity of Five (5) years, and in most instances, five (5) year multiple entry visas are issued upon request. Some applicants, however, apply for single entry visas owing largely to limited validity of their passports.

The official statistics clearly demonstrate that contrary to false narratives, Ghana has issued, on average, an impressive 70.42% of multiple long-term visas to US passport holders, consistent with our bilateral arrangements. Besides the maximum five (5) year multiple visas, Ghana also issues multiple entry (6) months, One (1) year, Two (2) years, Three (3) years and Four (4) years visas based on various considerations.

The Government of President John Dramani Mahama will continue to prioritise Ghana's relations with the United States and is resolved in working on all areas of cooperation for the mutual benefit of both countries.

To this end, as part of efforts to consolidate bilateral relations, Honourable Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa (MP), Minister for Foreign Affairs, last week, led a team of high-level officials to discuss with their counterparts in the United States, issues of concern to both countries.

Those discussions reached significant outcomes and set a clear pathway for further fruitful engagements. Government will, at its highest levels, sustain best efforts in strengthening relations with the United States in a manner that further enhances people to people relations in the mutual interest of both countries.

10th July, 2025.

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