New U.S. visa rules limit most Ghanaians to single-entry 3-month visas

By Praisebell Rosemond Larbi

The United States government has revised its visa reciprocity policy for Ghana, significantly changing the terms under which Ghanaians can obtain non-immigrant visas.

Under the new rules, most Ghanaian applicants will now only be issued single-entry visas valid for three months a major departure from previous years when multiple-entry visas with longer durations were common.

The changes were published in the U.S. Department of State’s Visa Reciprocity and Civil Documents by Country for Ghana and affect several major visa categories, including tourism (B1/B2), student (F), and exchange (J) visas.

Under the revised guidelines:
B-class visas (for tourism, business, or medical visits) will now be valid for one entry only and expire after 3 months.
F-1 student visas—typically issued for full-time academic programs—will also be limited to single-entry, 3-month validity.
J-1 exchange visitor visas will face the same restrictions, severely limiting flexibility for scholars and researchers.

However, certain categories have been spared:
A-class visas, primarily for diplomats and senior government officials, will continue to be multiple-entry visas valid for 24 to 60 months.
K-1 visas (for fiancés/fiancées of U.S. citizens) remain single-entry, valid for 6 months.
K-3 and K-4 visas, covering spouses and children of U.S. citizens, will continue to be multiple-entry, with 24-month validity.

The new policy has triggered growing calls for the Ghanaian government to engage U.S. officials diplomatically to seek review or clarification of the decision. Travel agencies, educational institutions, and diaspora groups are also urging the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to open channels for dialogue.

“This could impact tourism, academic exchange, and the business environment. We urge our government to act swiftly and engage U.S. authorities on this,” said a spokesperson for the Ghana National Chamber of Commerce.

As of now, all travelers are advised to verify the specific conditions attached to their visa category on the official U.S. consular website or through accredited travel advisory channels before making travel arrangements.