Ghana launches $260 e-Visa and free ETA for African travelers on May 25

Ghana shifts to a fully digital entry system on May 25

Ghana moves to an all-online visa regime starting May 25, with the Ghana Immigration Service routing travelers through a single e-Visa portal for short stays. The system splits applicants into three buckets by nationality: visa-free, Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) or e-Visa.

The ETA covers single-entry stays of up to 30 days at no government fee, with processing in 24 to 72 hours. Tourist and business e-Visas both allow stays of up to 90 days and carry a total fee of $260. The portal is already live ahead of the formal Africa Day rollout, though the Ghana Immigration Service hasn't yet rewritten its general visa policy pages to match every announced concession.

Who gets the free track

African passport holders are the headline beneficiaries. Officials have said citizens of all African countries will receive fee-free digital entry from May 25, either through the ETA channel or as gratis e-Visas, formalizing fee-free access for non-ECOWAS Africans who previously paid for visas on arrival or at missions.

Non-African nationals still pay the $260 tourist or business e-Visa fee for stays up to 90 days. Long-term expats, including remote workers planning to base in Accra beyond three months, aren't covered by the portal and still need separate residence or work permits through the Ghana Immigration Service.

Airlines will check for a valid ETA, e-Visa or visa-free status at boarding. Travelers present the emailed PDF alongside their passport at the port of entry.

Applying through the portal

The Ghana e-Visa portal walks applicants through five steps:

• Check eligibility using the nationality tool
• Create an account with an email address
• Complete the application and upload a passport scan, photo and supporting documents such as accommodation proof or an invitation letter
• Pay the fee online, except for free ETAs
• Receive the e-Visa or ETA by email, typically within 24 to 72 hours

Because the rollout is phased, embassies and border officers may still reference older paper-based guidance during the transition. Keep printed confirmations and verify nationality-specific rules with the Ghana Immigration Service before booking.

Read our full Ghana guide for the complete picture and follow ongoing visa updates for changes after the May 25 launch.