US Revises Visa Reciprocity Policy for Ghana, Restricts Entry Duration and Frequency

The United States government has revised its visa reciprocity policy for Ghana, significantly restricting the validity and number of entries permitted under most non-immigrant visa categories.

According to the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs, the new measures will reduce visa flexibility for many Ghanaian applicants:

• Diplomatic and Official (A-Class) Visas: Holders will retain multiple-entry privileges with validity periods ranging from 24 to 60 months.
• K1 Visa (Fiancé/Fiancée of U.S. Citizen): Limited to single entry, valid for six months.
• K2 Visa (Child of K1 Holder): Also single entry, valid for six months.
• K3 Visa (Spouse of U.S. Citizen) and K4 Visa (Child of K3 Holder): Both retain multiple-entry status with 24-month validity.

Stricter Rules for Business, Tourism, and Student Visas

Under the updated policy, Ghanaians applying for B-Class visas (for business or tourism) will now only be granted single-entry visas valid for just three months.

Similarly, F-1 student visa applicants, who typically study in the U.S. under full-time academic programs, will be limited to single-entry visas expiring after three months.

This is a significant departure from previous arrangements where many Ghanaian travellers qualified for multiple-entry visas with durations ranging from one to five years.

Part of Wider U.S. Visa Policy Changes

The changes fall under the U.S. Visa Reciprocity framework, under which the U.S. aligns its visa terms with what other countries offer American travellers. A similar policy revision was recently implemented for Nigeria.

Although no specific public explanation has been given for Ghana’s inclusion in this shift, such moves often stem from factors including:

• Diplomatic relations
• Immigration overstay concerns
• National security reviews

Implications for Ghanaian Travellers

The new visa restrictions mean that Ghanaian citizens will need to apply for fresh visas for each trip to the U.S. for tourism, business, or education, potentially increasing costs, wait times, and logistical hurdles for frequent travellers.

The development comes amid broader concerns about visa overstay rates and migration trends from Ghana, with prior U.S. government warnings highlighting these issues.

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