The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration has announced a major reform in Ghana’s visa processing system.
Under the new policy, all visa applications will be processed within five working days.
This directive takes immediate effect.
The announcement was made by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, in a statement published on his official Facebook page on Tuesday, May 21, 2025.
He explained that the decision is aimed at addressing long-standing delays in visa processing, which previously took between four to six weeks on average.
“We have put in place adequate measures at our diplomatic missions to drastically cut down the visa processing time from the troubling average of four to six weeks to our new five-day directive,” Mr Ablakwa stated.
He clarified that the new policy does not mean every applicant will automatically receive a visa. Rather, it ensures that each application will receive a final decision—either approval or denial—within five working days of submission.
“A decision will be made within five working days as to whether one is eligible for a Ghanaian visa or not,” he added.
According to the minister, this initiative fulfills a key commitment made by President John Dramani Mahama during his inaugural address on January 7, 2025, where he declared that Ghana is open for business.
Mr Ablakwa noted that the Ministry is committed to translating this vision into practical measures that remove unnecessary delays and improve the responsiveness of consular services.
“As Foreign Minister, I want to make Ghana a more attractive destination for investors and tourists by removing the bureaucratic hurdles that have discouraged many over the years,” he said.
The streamlined visa process is expected to support Ghana’s broader efforts to attract foreign investment, increase tourism, and deepen international engagement.
“Ghana is truly open for business. Come enjoy the Black Star experience,” Mr Ablakwa concluded.
