Ghana cuts visa processing time to 5 days as part of the “Ghana is open for business” agenda

Ghana has introduced a new visa policy that will allow applications to be processed in just five working days, instead of the previous four to six weeks. The change is part of efforts by the current government to make the country more appealing to tourists and investors.

The announcement was made by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, in a Facebook post on May 21, 2025.

“Visa applications to travel to Ghana will now be processed within a maximum of 5 working days. This new visa policy takes immediate effect,” the Minister stated.

He explained that the Ministry has already put in place systems at Ghana’s embassies and high commissions across the world to support this new timeline.

“We have put in place adequate measures at our diplomatic missions to drastically cut down the visa processing time from the troubling average of 4 to 6 weeks to our new 5-day directive.”

This move follows President John Dramani Mahama’s pledge during his January 7, 2025, inauguration speech, where he declared that “Ghana is open for business.” Mr. Ablakwa said this new visa policy is a practical step towards fulfilling that promise.

“On 7th January, 2025 President Mahama declared in his inaugural address that ‘Ghana is opened for business’ and we at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are determined to offer practical meaning through expedited consular facilitation and policy coherence to fully achieve the President’s vision.”

The Minister also expressed his personal commitment to making Ghana a more attractive destination by reducing unnecessary delays.

“As Foreign Minister, I am committed to positioning Ghana as the preferred destination for investors and tourists by making Ghana strongly competitive and eliminating bureaucratic bottlenecks.”

However, he cautioned that the new five-day window only applies to how quickly a decision is made, not whether a visa will be granted.

“I must however add that this 5-day visa processing policy does not by any stretch of imagination mean automatic visa approval; a decision will be made within 5 working days as to whether one is eligible for a Ghanaian visa or not.”

In closing, he encouraged people to visit: “Ghana is truly open for business,” Mr. Okudzeto Ablakwa declared, adding, “Come enjoy the Black Star experience.