Kwakye Ofosu (L) has refuted assertions that Ablakwa is responsible for the visa restrictions
The government has confirmed the reduction in both the validity period and the number of entries permitted for most non-immigrant visa types of the United States (US), including business and tourism visas (B-class), which will now be issued as single-entry visas valid for just 3 months, compared to the previous 5 years multiple-entry.
Speaking in an interview on Asempa FM on July 9, 2025, the Minister of State in charge of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, refuted assertions that the reduction had something to do with the actions of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.
He explained that the move by the US government is in relation to a previous warning to place Ghana and 35 other African countries on a visa ban list by the government.
He said that the new measures will only be in place for two months and were put in place because most Ghanaians, especially students, overstayed their visas, indicating that once the demands the US government has made are settled, they will be reversed.
“The reason for this is that our nationals travel to America and do not return upon the expiration of their visas, especially students.
“The American government has the policy that not less than 15% of foreign nationals from a particular country who come to their country for studies must return to their home countries. But as we speak, the American government says about 21% of students who travelled to the US for studies have overstayed their visas,” he said in the Twi dialect.
He added, “So, that is the reason we have been added to this list. And the American government has said it is for two months as they assess the steps we are taking to reduce this.”
Hon. Felix Kwakye Ofosu @FelixKwakyeOfo1 Minister in charge of Government Communication killing JANDAM on why America 🇺🇸 revises non immigrant B1/B2 visa validity for Ghanaians from 5 years, multiple entry to 3 months, single entry.#JandamEgu pic.twitter.com/gWFHPr2kLT
— Aristotlektv (@aristotledada) July 9, 2025
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.
The changes, published in the US Visa Reciprocity and Civil Documents Guide for Ghana, also affect students.
According to the guide, F-1 visa holders, typically full-time academic students, will now receive single-entry visas valid for only three months.
However, diplomats and government officials holding A-class visas will continue to receive multiple-entry visas with validity periods between 24 and 60 months, thereby maintaining their current privileges.
The policy also clarifies entry rules for the fiancé(e) and family visa categories. The K-1 visa, for foreign fiancé(e)s of US citizens, and the K-2 visa, for their unmarried children under 21, will remain single-entry visas valid for six months.
In contrast, the K-3 and K-4 visas, issued to foreign spouses of US citizens and their unmarried children, respectively, will continue to allow multiple entries for up to 24 months.
BAI/AE
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