Ghana introduces 5-day deadline for visa decisions – Minister

• Posted on May 22, 2025May 22, 2025
• by Nana Kwesi Coomson
• Comment

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration has introduced a new visa policy under which all applications to travel to Ghana will be processed within five working days.

The announcement was made by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, in a Facebook post on Tuesday, May 21, 2025.

He stated that the measure takes immediate effect and is intended to address longstanding delays in visa processing, which often took between four to six weeks.

“We have put in place adequate measures at our diplomatic missions to drastically cut down the visa processing time from the troubling average of four to six weeks to our new five-day directive,” Mr Ablakwa wrote.

He explained that the shorter processing period does not guarantee automatic approval.

Rather, applicants will receive a decision, either approval or denial, within five working days of submitting their request.

“A decision will be made within five working days as to whether one is eligible for a Ghanaian visa or not,” he added.

The move, according to Mr Ablakwa, is in line with President John Dramani Mahama’s pledge in his January 7, 2025 inaugural address that “Ghana is opened for business.”

He said the Ministry is working to give practical meaning to that declaration by removing unnecessary delays and making consular services more responsive.

“As Foreign Minister, I want to make Ghana a more attractive destination for investors and tourists by removing the bureaucratic hurdles that have discouraged many over the years,” Mr Ablakwa stated.

The new visa policy is expected to support government efforts to boost tourism, business travel, and international engagement, especially at a time when the country is actively seeking foreign partnerships.

“Ghana is truly open for business. Come enjoy the Black Star experience,” Mr Ablakwa added.