The Government of Ghana has officially responded to the recent decision by the United States to revise its visa reciprocity schedule, reducing the validity of B1/B2 visas for Ghanaian applicants from five years multiple entry to a three-month single entry.
In a press release issued on Thursday, July 10, 2025, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed concern over the development and affirmed its solidarity with Ghanaian travelers who may be affected by the new restrictions.
The Ministry acknowledged the sovereign right of the United States to determine its visa regime but noted that the changes represent a significant departure from existing reciprocal arrangements between the two countries.
“The Ministry acknowledges the legitimate concerns of Ghanaian travelers to the United States for professional, business, educational, touristic, medical, and family purposes and expresses its firm solidarity with all those inconvenienced,” the statement said.
The Government assured that it is studying the matter closely while exploring appropriate diplomatic options. It also reiterated its commitment to working collaboratively with the United States to resolve the underlying issues, which the US has attributed to overstays by some Ghanaian nationals.
To provide context and counter perceived misinformation, the Ministry disclosed that from January 2025 to date, Ghana’s missions in Washington, D.C., and New York have issued a total of 40,648 visas, of which 28,626 were multiple-entry visas granted to US passport holders.
This, according to the Ministry, reflects Ghana’s consistent adherence to the spirit of reciprocity in its visa policy.
“Contrary to false narratives, Ghana has issued, on average, an impressive 70.42% of multiple long-term visas to US passport holders, consistent with our bilateral arrangements,” the statement noted.
The Ministry further highlighted that Ghana offers visa validity ranging from six months to five years, depending on specific conditions and the applicant’s request.
Reaffirming its commitment to strong bilateral ties, the Government underscored its intention to maintain cooperation with the US on all fronts.
It cited recent high-level diplomatic engagements led by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, in Washington, D.C., as a step towards resolving concerns and deepening mutual cooperation.
“Those discussions reached significant outcomes and set a clear pathway for further fruitful engagements,” the release stated.
The Government concluded by reaffirming President John Dramani Mahama’s commitment to strengthening Ghana-US relations and enhancing people-to-people connections for the mutual benefit of both nations.
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