Ghana tourist visa application, requirements, price, and processing time

The Ghana tourist visa is available for tourists who wish to visit Ghana for vacation and sightseeing. Obtaining a visa from the Ghana High Commission in your country is easy as long as you have the visa requirements.

Traveling To Ghana

Ghana is a beautiful country of friendly people who are welcoming of visitors. The former British colony is located in West Africa and is one of the 4 Anglophone countries in the region. She shares common borders with three countries. Ivory Coast to the west, Togo to the East, Burkina Faso to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the south. Formerly called the Gold Coast because of its gold riches, Ghana remains one of the top tourist destinations in West Africa.

Every year, particularly towards the end of the year, thousands of tourists visit the country to enjoy the side attractions on offer. The capital city of Accra hosts a lot of visitors who come for holidays because of its proximity to the beaches. However, other regions are tourist hotspots as well, such as the Elimina Castle in Cape Coast, Central Region, and the Mountainous Resort Towns in the Eastern Region, where their weather is calm all year round.

The food is good, and above all, the country is safe and secure, especially in the cities where nightlife is at a premium.

Who Needs A Tourist Visa To Enter Ghana?

Foreigners who are not from an ECOWAS country or a visa exempt country will need a tourist visa to enter Ghana as tourists. The good news is that the government has improved the Ghana visa application process at their embassies over the last few years to make the system more efficient. As more visitors visit and tourism revenue grows, the system will only get better.

Ghana Tourist Visa Document Requirements

Here are the documents that will be requested of you at the Ghana High Commission to obtain a single entry visa or multiple entry visa.

Completed Application Form: The visa applicant will need to complete a visa application form.  The form must contain your personal information. Endeavor to provide only valid information; otherwise, your application will be rejected.

Valid Passport: You need a valid passport to apply for this visa.  The passport should have at least 2 blank pages for stamps and be valid for at least 6 months, counting from the day of your arrival.

Vaccination Certificate: The authorities only allow vaccinated visitors into the country. Visitors either show a Covid vaccination certificate or a negative COVID-19 PCR test result taken at least 72 hours before arriving in the country. Also, visitors from some selected countries are expected to be vaccinated against yellow Fever before they can be allowed into Ghana. They must also show a certificate to that effect.

Proof of funds: You need to show proof of funds. A bank statement for the last six months with sufficient funds to cover your travel and living expenses during your stay is required.

Proof of accommodation: If you plan to stay with a friend or family, provide their contact address. Otherwise, provide a copy of the hotel reservation.

Cover Letter:  The cover letter should clearly indicate your visit's purpose as clearly as possible. Be honest with your declaration so you don’t encounter any issues with immigration officers at the airport or border.

Medical Insurance: Visitors are expected to have medical issued by a reputable Insurance company. The insurance policy should provide sufficient coverage in case the visitor falls ill or is involved in an accident during their stay.

Return Flight Reservation: A copy of your return flight reserved ticket back to your country at the end of your visit.

How To Apply For A Ghana Tourist Visa?

Online application for tourist visas are not available for now, so you will have to visit the Ghana High Commission in your country to submit a physical application form. You will be invited for an interview, and if you meet all the requirements, the embassy will issue you the visa.

Important Things To Note

Kindly note that the Ghana tourist visa is not a work visa, so holders are not permitted to work while in the country. Any tourist caught working on a tourist visa will be fined or deported in the worst cases.  It is also an immigration crime to overstay your visa. Visitors are advised to leave Ghana on or before their visa expires. If you wish to stay for a little while longer, visit the immigration office closest to you at least 7 days before your visa expires to apply for an extension.

The Ghana tourist visa is suited for international tourists coming to Ghana for vacation and sightseeing. You can visit and spend time in the West African country and enjoy all the amazing side attractions.