The United States has introduced a significant change to its visa policy for Ghanaian citizens, reducing the validity of most non-immigrant, non-diplomatic visas to a single-entry permit lasting just three months.
The new rule, effective as of July 8, 2025, marks a sharp departure from the previous policy, which allowed Ghanaians to obtain multiple-entry visas valid for up to five years for business (B-1), tourism (B-2), or combined B-1/B-2 purposes.
The U.S announced the policy shift, citing the principle of visa reciprocity, which aligns U.S. visa terms with those offered to American citizens by other countries.
The decision follows a global visa reciprocity review, assessing factors such as secure travel documents, visa overstay rates, and information-sharing practices to ensure public safety.
According to the U.S. Department of State, Ghana’s visa policies for Americans, which include shorter validity periods and single-entry restrictions, prompted the adjustment.
For Ghanaians, the change means more frequent visa applications, potentially increasing both costs and administrative burdens, particularly for business travelers and those visiting family in the United States.
The policy shift comes amid broader U.S. efforts to address visa overstay concerns. Ghana’s Foreign Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, recently acknowledged that 21 percent of Ghanaians on U.S. student visas and 7 percent of those on tourist visas have overstayed their permitted durations, contributing to Ghana’s inclusion on a list of 36 countries facing U.S. visa restrictions.
The U.S. Embassy clarified that visas issued before July 8, 2025, will retain their original terms, offering some relief to current visa holders. However, the new rule has sparked frustration among Ghanaians, with some taking to social media to express their concerns.
The U.S. Embassy noted that visa reciprocity is a dynamic process, subject to ongoing review, and could be adjusted in the future based on improvements in Ghana’s immigration enforcement and documentation processes.
This news article was summarised with the use of AI and edited by human reviewers
