Ghana Issues 70% Long-Term Visas to US Nationals Amid US Visa Restrictions

Ghana Issues 70% Long-Term Visas to US Nationals Amid US Visa Restrictions

The Government of Ghana has firmly responded to recent US visa restrictions, revealing that over 70% of US passport holders who apply for Ghanaian visas receive long-term multiple entry visas — a testament to the country’s commitment to its bilateral arrangements with the United States.

This comes on the back of a recent decision by the US Government to revise its visa reciprocity schedule, reducing the validity of B1/B2 visas issued to Ghanaians from five years multiple entry to just three months single entry. Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs acknowledged the inconvenience this has caused to Ghanaian travellers — especially those travelling for business, education, tourism, and medical purposes — and expressed solidarity with affected citizens.

In a press statement issued by the Ministry, the Government emphasized that Ghana has always acted in good faith regarding visa arrangements with the United States. Since January 2025, Ghana has issued over 40,000 visas to US nationals through its missions in Washington D.C. and New York. Of these, 28,626 — representing approximately 70.42% — were long-term multiple entry visas, with validity periods ranging from six months to five years, depending on the application and passport validity.

“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,” the Ministry stated.

The Foreign Affairs Ministry further noted that Ghana’s visa policy allows US citizens to obtain single or multiple entry visas for six months, one, two, three, or five years — subject to various considerations. The government reiterated its commitment to fostering strong diplomatic and people-to-people relations with the US and signaled its openness to resolving the current impasse.

The Ministry confirmed that Foreign Affairs Minister Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa recently led a high-level delegation to the United States to engage with counterparts on the matter. “Those discussions reached significant outcomes and set a clear pathway for further fruitful engagements,” the statement said.

Ghana also underscored the sovereign right of every country to determine its visa policy but stressed that the new US measures are not in line with previous reciprocal terms.

Despite the ongoing concerns, the Ghanaian government affirmed its willingness to continue constructive dialogue with the US to address issues such as visa overstays and compliance with visa application procedures, which were cited by the US as contributing factors for the restrictions.

The Ministry concluded by assuring citizens that government, at its highest levels, will sustain efforts to protect their interests while enhancing cooperation with the US in a mutually beneficial manner.