The move follows months of high-level diplomatic engagement and comes after Ghana agreed to accept deported nationals from the United States, paving the way for renewed visa privileges.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Friday, the U.S. Embassy in Accra stated:
“The U.S. Embassy is pleased to announce that the maximum validity periods for all categories of nonimmigrant visas for Ghanaians have been restored to their previous lengths. The maximum validity allowed for the B1/B2 visitor visa is again five years, multiple entry. The maximum validity for the F1 student visa is again four years, multiple entry.”
Ghana’s Foreign Minister, Samuel Ablakwa, welcomed the development, noting that it came after months of high-level diplomatic engagement.
He said the reversal was communicated to him by U.S. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, Allison Hooker, during a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.
“This good news was directly communicated to me in the margins of the UN General Assembly. I am really pleased that months of high-level diplomatic negotiations have led to a successful outcome,” Mr Ablakwa said.
Background
In July 2025, Washington imposed restrictions on Ghana and several other countries, limiting non-diplomatic visas to single-entry, three-month permits.
The U.S. State Department cited high rates of visa overstays, particularly among students, as justification and described the measures as part of its global visa reciprocity framework, aimed at aligning the treatment of foreign nationals with how American citizens are treated abroad.
Underlying Factors
Two months after the restrictions were introduced, Ghana received 14 deportees from Nigeria and other West African countries, joining Eswatini, Rwanda, and South Sudan on the list of African nations cooperating on deportations.
Analysts say the U.S. decision to restore the five-year visa deal may be linked to Ghana’s agreement to accept deported nationals, highlighting the diplomatic trade-offs involved.
President John Mahama defended the move, citing the ECOWAS protocol on free movement, which allows regional nationals to enter Ghana without visas.
“We agreed with Washington that West African nationals were acceptable because all our fellow West African nationals don’t need a visa to come to our country,” he said.
Positive Reception
The visa restoration has been widely welcomed in Ghana. Students pursuing long-term academic programmes in the United States, business travellers, and families stand to benefit from reduced administrative hurdles and lower costs.
Officials in Accra hailed the development as a sign of stronger and healthier Ghana–U.S. relations, underscoring the value of sustained diplomatic engagement.
