Travel and Visa Info for Ghana - B A L | Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP

At a Glance

Capital	Accra
Language	English (official)
Population	31,073,000
GDP Total	$65.5 billion
GDP Per Capita	$2,201.60

Assessing Travel and Visa Obligations

When traveling to Ghana, your nationality and the types of activities you will conduct during your trip will determine whether you may travel lawfully as a business visitor or if you require work authorization. Please seek advice from your immigration counsel if you are uncertain about the specific types of activities that constitute business or work.

Traveling for Business

What types of activities may I engage in as a business visitor?

As a business visitor to Ghana, you may engage in the activities below. While this list is not exhaustive and other activities could qualify as business, you may:

» Attend business meetings
» Negotiate contracts
» Participate in short training programs and rotational training
» Attend a trade show, conference, or seminar convention

If I qualify as a business visitor, do I need a visa for Ghana?

Most foreign nationals, including nationals of the United States and European countries, are required to obtain a visa if they intend to conduct business activities in Ghana. In most cases, foreign nationals must obtain a Business (B1) Visa from a Ghanaian Embassy or Consulate prior to travel.

Nationals of countries belonging to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), various commonwealth countries, and East and Central African countries are eligible for a visa waiver and are not required to obtain a visa in order to perform business activities in Ghana. Please consult with your immigration counsel prior to travel to determine your eligibility for a visa waiver.

Nationals of African Union member states who are not eligible for a visa exemption may obtain a Visa on Arrival (VOA) for business purposes. Additional eligibility restrictions and pre-approval requirements may apply. Please consult with your immigration counsel prior to travel for an individual assessment to determine your eligibility for a VOA.

Working in Ghana

What types of activities require work authorization?

The activities below, whether paid or unpaid, generally constitute work under Ghanaian law. This list is not exhaustive, and many other professional activities are considered work in Ghana, even if conducted for a short duration.

» Auditing
» Installation
» Repairs

If I am traveling to Ghana for work, what type of work authorization do I need?

The requirements for work authorization depend on your qualifications, on the nature and duration of your work, and on whether your employer has an entity in Ghana. The most common types of work authorization for Ghana are:

» Rotator Permit (short-term work authorization for the oil and gas industry)
» Work Permit (long-term work authorization) subcategories:
- Standard
- Automatic (Expatriate) Quota
- Discretionary Quota
- Oil and Gas
- Immigrant Quota
- Minerals Commission
- Free Zones

Is it possible to be exempted from work authorization requirements?

There are no exemptions from work authorization requirements in Ghana.

What else should I know?

Inevitably, the legal and strategic considerations impacting visa selection, as well as visa waiver and work authorization eligibility, entail the careful consideration of many factors. We recommend that you consult with your immigration counsel before taking any course of action.

Copyright © 2021 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. Government immigration agencies often change their policies and practices without notice; please consult an immigration professional for up-to-date information. This document does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship. BAL maintains comprehensive immigration information and processing specifics for our clients.

News and Events

17 Sep 20

Ghana

At a Glance

What types of activities may I engage in as a business visitor?

If I qualify as a business visitor, do I need a visa for Ghana?

What types of activities require work authorization?

If I am traveling to Ghana for work, what type of work authorization do I need?

Is it possible to be exempted from work authorization requirements?

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At a Glance

Ghana

At a Glance

What types of activities may I engage in as a business visitor?

If I qualify as a business visitor, do I need a visa for Ghana?

What types of activities require work authorization?

If I am traveling to Ghana for work, what type of work authorization do I need?

Is it possible to be exempted from work authorization requirements?

News and Events

At a Glance

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