Ghana sets $1,293 work permit fee for non-ECOWAS nomads under L.I. 2228

Ghana's revised fee schedule under L.I. 2228

Ghana Immigration Service set its current permit and penalty rates on May 15, 2025, under L.I. 2228 and that schedule remains the operative reference through 2026. Fees are split into three tiers: Ghanaians with foreign passports, ECOWAS nationals and other nationals.

Headline figures for non-ECOWAS applicants include:

• Work permit residence (companies): $1,293
• Immigrant quota residence: $647
• Indefinite residence permit: $18,000
• Multiple re-entry permit: $194
• Single re-entry permit: $100
• Visitor permit extension: GH¢65 per month
• Expired visitor permit penalty: GH¢300 per month
• Expired residence permit penalty: GH¢300 per month

Sector-specific rotator permits run $647 for up to six months and $1,000 for six to 12 months.

Who pays what

Non-ECOWAS expats and remote workers carry the heaviest costs. Digital nomads without an African or ECOWAS passport fall into the "other nationals" tier, meaning a GH¢65 monthly visitor extension and steep overstay math if they miss a renewal date.

ECOWAS passport holders pay roughly a third of non-ECOWAS rates across most residence categories. Students get subsidized fees at GH¢259 for an "other nationals" residence permit. Dependants of permit holders pay GH¢388.

Three 2026 dates reshape access for specific groups:

• Feb. 11, 2026: Diaspora citizenship vetting resumes at the W.E.B. Du Bois Centre.
• March 5, 2026: First swearing-in batch for approved applicants, with a GH¢25,000 fee due after approval.
• May 25, 2026: Ghana's national e-visa platform launches and African nationals enter visa-fee-free though they still must apply through the platform.

What applicants should budget and track

Long-stay visitors relying on visitor permit extensions should set calendar reminders well before expiry. The penalty jump from GH¢65 extension to GH¢300 overstay per month compounds quickly.

Expats on work permits should confirm whether their employer covers the $1,293 company work permit residence fee or whether it comes out of pocket. Frequent travelers holding residence status need to decide between the $100 single or $194 multiple re-entry permit before departure, since both attach to existing residence rather than replacing it.

Consular visa fees charged by Ghanaian embassies abroad sit outside the GIS schedule and apply before arrival.

Read our full Ghana guide for the complete picture on permits, costs and timelines.