Ghana waives fees for African travelers in new e-visa rollout

Ghana e-visa system speeds entry for tourists and business travelers

Ghana waives fees for African travelers in new e-visa rollout

Ghana’s e-visa system is live through the official portal, letting eligible travelers apply online for tourism, business and short stays without visiting an embassy. The system covers more than 190 countries and gives approved applicants an email authorization to present on arrival.

Processing is set at 24 to 72 hours for ETAs and 3 to 5 business days for tourist and business visas. The portal also links screening to security databases, including API-PNR checks, the government said.

Who gets the biggest lift

African nationals are set to see the largest change. Starting May 25, they can access fee-free e-visas, replacing the old visa-on-arrival charges of about $150 to $200.

Non-Africans pay $260 in total fees, with no hidden charges, according to the portal. ETAs are valid for up to 30 days and single entry, while tourist and business e-visas can run up to 90 days with single or multiple entry options.

How to apply and what to watch

Applicants must create an account, submit passport and travel details, pay any required fee and wait for the email approval. Travelers need a passport with at least 6 months left and should keep the reference number to track status.

Approved documents are accepted at airports and border posts. Longer stays still need extensions through the Ghana Immigration Service, so remote workers and nomads shouldn't treat a tourist visa as a work permit.

Read our full Ghana guide for the complete picture.