The Government of Ghana has formally responded to the United States’ recent revision of its visa reciprocity schedule, which affects several African countries, including Ghana.
The change reduces the validity of B1/B2 visas for Ghanaian applicants from a five-year multiple entry to just a three-month single entry.
In a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Government acknowledged the concerns of Ghanaian travellers to the U.S. for professional, business, educational, touristic, medical, and family reasons.
The Ministry expressed “firm solidarity with all those inconvenienced.”
“Ghana recognizes the sovereign right of every country to determine its visa regime,” the statement read, “but notes that the present limitations imposed by the United States vary substantially from the prior reciprocal arrangements that Ghana has kept with the United States.”
The Ministry noted that the Government is currently studying the developments and considering its options. However, it emphasized Ghana’s commitment to continued collaboration with the U.S.
“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 aligns with the visa application procedures and requirements of the United States,” the statement said.
Highlighting recent figures, the Ministry revealed that from January 2025 to date, Ghana’s diplomatic missions in Washington D.C. and New York have issued a total of 40,648 visas. Of these, 28,626 were multiple-entry visas to Ghana.
According to the Ministry, U.S. passport holders are entitled to a maximum visa validity of five years, and in most cases, five-year multiple-entry visas are issued upon request. However, some applicants opt for single-entry visas due to limited validity in their passports.
The Ministry also refuted what it called “false narratives,” pointing to official data showing that Ghana has issued an average of 70.42% of multiple long-term visas to U.S. citizens, in line with the country’s bilateral agreements.
In addition to five-year visas, Ghana offers multiple-entry visas with six-month, one-year, two-year, three-year, and four-year validity periods, based on various considerations.
The Government of President John Dramani Mahama reaffirmed its commitment to prioritizing relations with the United States and working toward cooperation.
As part of efforts to strengthen bilateral ties, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa (MP), led a delegation of senior officials to the United States last week.
The Ministry stated that the talks “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,” the statement indicated.
