President John Dramani Mahama has officially launched Ghana’s first fully digital e-visa portal, a move designed to simplify travel procedures and eliminate the need for in-person embassy visits.
The launch took place at the Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City Accra on Africa Day and was attended by government officials, diplomats, tourism stakeholders, and investors.
“Effective today, all holders of African passports travelling to Ghana for business will apply for a visa exclusively through the new online platform, and they will pay no visa fee,” the President said.
“The previous visa-on-arrival system is hereby discontinued and replaced with this new visa regime,” he added.
President Mahama said the initiative forms part of a broader continental integration vision aimed at reconnecting Africans and the diaspora with Ghana.
“Our long-term vision is even broader. We envisage a future, which is not too far, of a time where all people of African descent can travel to Ghana without paying any visa fee as they reconnect with their ancestry,” he stated.
“I have therefore directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of the Interior to work out the modalities required to advance this vision,” he added.
For travellers outside Africa, visa fees range from approximately:
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$260 for standard single-entry visas
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Up to $796 for urgent multiple-entry applications
Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa in his speech, described the new platform as Ghana’s “warm digital handshake with the world”.
The e-Visa system was developed through collaboration between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of the Interior, and the Ministry of Transport.
How the e-Visa system works
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Ghana e-Visa Portal
The application process is fully online and follows five (5) main steps:
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Check eligibility based on nationality
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Create an account using an email address
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Complete travel details and upload supporting documents
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Submit the application online
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Receive the approved e-Visa by email
Travellers can present the visa either digitally or as a printed copy upon arrival in Ghana.
The system removes the need for most applicants to visit embassies or consulates physically.
Visa categories available
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The platform currently supports several visa categories, including:
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Tourist visas
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Business visas
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Family visit visas
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Student visas
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Transit visas
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Work visas
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Diplomatic and official visas
Security measures remain in place
Government says the e-Visa system is fully integrated with Ghana’s Advanced Passenger Information (API) and Passenger Name Record (PNR) systems, as well as international crime databases.
This allows authorities to conduct background checks before travellers board flights to Ghana.