Ghana has officially launched an electronic visa (e-Visa) application system, introducing a 48-hour processing period for business and tourist visa applications.
“Effective immediately, all holders of African passports travelling to Ghana for business or tourism will apply for visas exclusively via the new online e-Visa platform, and they will pay no visa fee,” President John Dramani Mahama stated at the launch ceremony on Monday.
The launch, held in Accra on Monday [May 25, 2026], is part of government efforts to modernise Ghana’s immigration and border management systems while promoting travel and trade across Africa.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, announced that applicants who submit all required documents through the platform will receive visa decisions within 48 hours.
“You will know within 48 hours whether your visa has been approved or not,” Mr Ablakwa said.
He also disclosed that applicants from outside Africa will pay a service fee of US$260, while African passport holders are fully exempt from visa fees under the new arrangement.
The policy aligns with Ghana’s Pan-African agenda and Africa Day celebrations.
African travellers will still be required to complete online applications and undergo security screening before entry. The e-visa system currently covers only business and tourist visas.
Diplomatic passport holders, nationals from countries with existing visa waiver agreements, and holders of student and family visas will continue under current arrangements. Mr Ablakwa noted that Ghana has about 50 visa waiver agreements that remain valid.
He added that the system complies with International Civil Aviation Organisation standards and includes biometric and fraud detection features.
According to him, Cabinet approved the initiative following a joint proposal from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Interior and Transport.
On financing, Mr Ablakwa said the platform operates under a public-private partnership with Rock Africa, which funded the setup cost and will recover investment through service charges.
“Taxpayers have not been burdened,” he said.
He further dismissed claims on social media alleging cancellation of a previous e-visa contract, insisting no such contract existed. According to him, only a machine-readable visa sticker agreement had been in place.
“There will be no judgement debt. No contract has been cancelled,” he said.
Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed Mubarak, described the initiative as a major reform in border management, saying it would enable authorities to detect risks before travellers arrive.
“Before a traveler even boards a plane, we already know who is coming. We assess the risks early, we identify threats early, and we act early,” he said.
He added that the system would reduce manual processing and allow immigration officers to focus on intelligence and enforcement.
Minister of Transport, Joseph Bukari Nikpe, said the e-visa platform has been integrated with the Advanced Passenger Information and Passenger Name Record systems introduced at Accra International Airport in August 2025, allowing pre-arrival screening of passengers.
