US slashes Ghana visa plan from 5-year multiple entries to 3-month single entry

Ghanaians seeking to travel to the United States for business, tourism, study, or other non-immigrant purposes will now face stricter visa conditions following a sweeping revision of U.S. visa reciprocity arrangements for Ghana.

In a significant shift, the U.S. Department of State has reduced the validity period and entry privileges for most visa categories issued to Ghanaian nationals.

The majority of applicants will now be granted single-entry visas valid for just three months, a major departure from the previous standard that allowed multiple entries over one to five years.

Key Changes in Visa Policy

Under the updated rules published in the U.S. Visa Reciprocity and Civil Documents by Country report, the B1/B2 visa category — typically issued for business and tourism — will now allow just one entry into the United States and expire after 90 days.

Previously, many Ghanaian travelers enjoyed long-term access under this category with multiple re-entries over several years.

Student visa holders (F-1), who often require flexibility for academic schedules, internships, and holidays back home, are also affected.

F-1 visas will now expire three months after issuance and allow only a single entry — an adjustment that could significantly complicate educational planning and travel logistics for Ghanaian students enrolled in U.S. institutions.

However, diplomatic and official visa holders, classified under “A” visas, remain exempt from the new restrictions.

These individuals will continue to receive multiple-entry visas valid between two to five years, in recognition of their government or diplomatic status.

Other categories like the K1 (fiancé/fiancée of a U.S. citizen) and K2 (dependent children of K1 holders) retain their six-month single-entry validity, while the K3 and K4 (spouses and dependents of U.S. citizens) will receive multiple-entry visas valid for 24 months.

Impact and Rationale

The policy revision appears to be part of a broader U.S. global framework based on visa reciprocity, a principle under which the United States adjusts its visa terms to match the treatment American citizens receive when visiting other nations.

While the U.S. government has not provided a detailed explanation for the abrupt change in Ghana’s case, foreign policy experts suggest it may be linked to a range of factors — including bilateral diplomatic considerations, enforcement of immigration compliance, or security-related assessments.

A similar move was recently enacted against Nigerian travelers, signaling a shift in U.S. visa policy in West Africa.

The impact for Ghanaians, however, is immediate and substantial.

Frequent travelers — especially businesspeople, academics, artists, and the Ghanaian diaspora — may now need to reapply for a new visa for every trip, incurring more fees, delays, and bureaucratic hurdles.

Education advocates have also warned that the new rules could discourage prospective Ghanaian students from choosing U.S. universities due to the inflexibility of the entry permits and risk of academic disruption should they need to leave the country mid-program.

A Setback in U.S.–Ghana Relations?

The revision marks a setback in what has historically been a strong bilateral relationship between Ghana and the United States.

Ghana is one of the U.S.’s key partners in West Africa, with decades of cooperation in development, education, security, and diplomacy.

The Ghanaian government has yet to issue an official response to the new visa conditions.

However, calls are already mounting for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to engage with the U.S. Embassy in Accra and negotiate for a reversal or moderation of the policy — particularly for categories that affect students, business travellers, and professionals.

Looking Ahead

The new guidelines, which take immediate effect, are expected to significantly reshape travel plans for thousands of Ghanaians.

Travel consultants have urged applicants to plan well in advance and ensure their itineraries are fully aligned with the three-month limit, as overstaying could lead to future ineligibility or bans.

In the meantime, observers say this development should serve as a wake-up call for Ghanaian foreign policy authorities to reassess the country’s reciprocal visa policies toward U.S. citizens and seek a balanced, fairer arrangement that protects the mobility rights of Ghanaian nationals.