Ghana slashes visa application to 5 working days

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration has announced a major overhaul of Ghana’s visa application process, reducing the processing period to a maximum of five working days.

The new policy, which takes immediate effect, aims to make Ghana a more accessible and attractive destination for investors, tourists, and global partners.

Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, in a Facebook post on Wednesday, May 21, stressed that the move is part of efforts to eliminate bureaucratic delays that previously extended visa processing to an average of four to six weeks.

He clarified that the expedited timeline does not guarantee automatic approval. Instead, applicants will be notified of either approval or denial within the new timeframe.

The policy forms part of the Mahama administration’s broader vision to rebrand Ghana as a hub for commerce, tourism, and investment.

President John Dramani Mahama, in his January 7, 2025 inaugural address, declared that “Ghana is open for business”—a declaration the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is working to actualize through improved service delivery.

The post noted, “Ghana’s New Reset Visa Policy. Visa applications to travel to Ghana will now be processed within a maximum of 5 working days. This new visa policy takes immediate effect. We have put in place adequate measures at our diplomatic missions to drastically cut down the visa processing time from the troubling average of 4 to 6 weeks to our new 5-day directive. On 7th January 2025 — President Mahama declared in his inaugural address that “Ghana is opened for business” and we at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are determined to offer practical meaning through expedited consular facilitation and policy coherence to fully achieve the President’s vision.”

Ablakwa added, “As Foreign Minister, I am committed to positioning Ghana as the preferred destination for investors and tourists by making Ghana strongly competitive and eliminating bureaucratic bottlenecks. I must however add that this 5-day visa processing policy does not by any stretch of imagination mean automatic visa approval; a decision will be made within 5 working days as to whether one is eligible for a Ghanaian visa or not. Ghana is truly open for business. Come enjoy the Black Star experience.”