Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa is the Minister of Foreign Affairs
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has responded to the recent visa restrictions issued by the United States on July 9, 2025.
The US has revised its visa reciprocity policy for Ghana, significantly reducing both the validity period and the number of entries permitted for most non-immigrant visa types.
Under the updated guidelines from the US Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs, Ghanaian nationals applying for business and tourism visas (B-class) will now be issued single-entry visas valid for just three months.
This marks a departure from previous policies that allowed multiple entries over a period ranging from one to five years.
According to the ministry, the concerns by Ghanaian travellers have been duly acknowledged, expressing “its firm solidarity with all those inconvenienced.”
The ministry said the present limitations imposed by the United States vary substantially from the prior reciprocal arrangements that Ghana has had with the United States.
“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.
“It is worth highlighting that from January 2025 to date, forty thousand six hundred and forty-eight (40,648) visas have been issued by Ghana’s missions in Washington D.C and New York. Out of this, twenty-eight thousand, six hundred and twenty-six (28,626) are multiple-entry visas to Ghana,” the statement by the ministry on July 11, 2025, noted.
It further noted that bilateral arrangements between Ghana and the US stipulate that US passport holders are entitled to a maximum visa validity of five (5) years, and in most instances, five (5) year multiple entry visas are issued upon request.
Some applicants, however, apply for single-entry visas owing largely to the limited validity of their passports.
The statement clarified that contrary to narratives, Ghana has issued, on average, “an impressive 70.42% of multiple long-term visas to US passport holders, consistent with our bilateral arrangements.
“Besides the maximum five (5) year multiple visas, Ghana also issues multiple entry (6) months, one (1) year, two (2) years, three (3) years and four (4) years visas based on various considerations.”
The ministry added that the sector minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has engaged its counterparts in the US regarding issues of concern to both countries.
“Those discussions reached significant outcomes and set a clear pathway for further fruitful engagements. The 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 Government of President John Dramani Mahama will continue to prioritise Ghana’s relations with the United States and is resolved to work on all areas of cooperation for the mutual benefit of both countries,” it concluded.
Government of Ghana’s response to US visa restrictions: pic.twitter.com/9uQhLvtvOD
— Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa (@S_OkudzetoAblak) July 11, 2025
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