Who needs a visa
Citizens of ECOWAS member states, Nigeria, Côte d'Ivoire, Togo, Senegal and neighbours, enter visa-free. Most other nationalities, including UK, US, Canadian, EU, Australian and many Asian passport holders, need a visa before travel. Ghana runs an eVisa portal at evisa.immigration.gov.gh, and Ghanaian embassies also process applications.
- Check the official Ghana Immigration Service site (gis.gov.gh) and the eVisa portal directly, not a third-party 'visa service' that adds a markup.
- Start at least three to four weeks before travel; embassy processing slows down badly in the December rush.
Visa on arrival; read the fine print
Visa on arrival exists, but it is not simply a matter of turning up and paying. You normally need a pre-approval letter from Ghana Immigration Service, usually arranged through a host, company or licensed travel agency, and the airline must be satisfied you hold it before you board. It is generally aimed at emergency or business cases rather than routine tourism, and the fees and process change, so confirm the current position before you rely on it.
- If someone promises 'visa on arrival for a fee' over WhatsApp, verify with GIS directly before sending money.
- African Union passport holders often qualify for visa on arrival; confirm the rule for your specific nationality.
Passport, length of stay and extensions
Your passport should have at least six months' validity and blank pages. Tourist visas are typically issued for single or multiple entry with a permitted stay of up to around 60 days, but the exact terms are printed on your visa; read them. Overstaying is treated seriously and can mean fines, detention or a ban, so extend at GIS before your permitted stay runs out.
- Photograph your passport bio page, visa and entry stamp, and keep the images in the cloud.
- Keep any arrival card or entry stamp you receive. You may need it to extend your stay or to exit.
Ports of entry
Kotoka International Airport (ACC) in Accra is the main gateway, with Kumasi (KMS) and Tamale (TML) taking some international traffic. Land borders with Togo, Côte d'Ivoire and Burkina Faso are open, but processes and opening hours vary and can change at short notice.
- Flying into Accra and connecting domestically is usually easier than a long overland crossing.
- If you are crossing by land, ask your transport operator which border post they use and what the current hours are.
Rules, fees and opening hours change. Confirm anything that matters before you rely on it.