By: Kenneth Appiah Bani
The Government of Ghana has formally responded to the United States’ decision to significantly reduce the validity of B1/B2 visas for Ghanaian travelers from five years with multiple entries to three months with single entry.
In a press release issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the government acknowledged the legitimate concerns of Ghanaian citizens who rely on U.S. travel for professional, business, educational, tourism, and medical purposes. The Ministry expressed solidarity with all affected travelers and emphasized its commitment to engaging the U.S. Government in resolving the matter.
According to the statement, the U.S. move affects several African countries and represents a departure from longstanding reciprocal visa arrangements between Ghana and the United States. The Ghanaian government pointed out that the restrictions were largely due to concerns over visa overstays by some applicants.
The Ministry revealed that the Government of Ghana is studying the issue closely while exploring possible responses. Despite the setback, it assured the public of its resolve to work expeditiously with the U.S. Government to address the concerns that led to the change.
As part of efforts to resolve the matter diplomatically, Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa recently led a delegation of senior officials to engage their U.S. counterparts in Washington, D.C. These high-level talks reportedly yielded significant outcomes, setting the stage for further discussions aimed at restoring visa reciprocity.
In contrast to the new U.S. policy, Ghana continues to issue long-term multiple-entry visas to U.S. passport holders. From January to July 2025, over 40,000 visas were issued by Ghana’s missions in Washington, D.C. and New York, with 70.42% being multiple-entry visas.
Ghana grants U.S. citizens visa validity of up to five years, and other options including 6-month, 1-year, 2-year, 3-year, and 4-year multiple-entry visas, depending on various factors. The Ministry highlighted that this demonstrates Ghana’s adherence to bilateral visa arrangements and its goodwill in facilitating travel for American citizens.
The statement concluded with a reaffirmation of Ghana’s commitment to maintaining strong ties with the United States under the leadership of President John Dramani Mahama. The government pledged to pursue all diplomatic channels to ensure mutually beneficial people-to-people relations.
“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 Ministry stated
As developments unfold, Ghanaian travelers and stakeholders are encouraged to follow updates from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the U.S. Embassy.
