Ghana’s Ambassador to the United States of America, Victor Emmanuel Smith, has clarified that the recent United States decision to pause certain visa processes does not affect non-immigrant visas for Ghanaians, including student, exchange and tourist visas.
The clarification follows widespread uncertainty after reports that nationals of Ghana, Nigeria and 73 other countries would be affected by an indefinite pause on some US visa categories beginning January 21, 2026.
In a Facebook post on Thursday, January 15, Ambassador Smith explained that the directive applies strictly to immigrant visas, that is those that lead to permanent residency or green cards, and does not affect non-immigrant visas.
“State Department confirms B1–B2 visas, student visas and exchange visas will continue,” he shared.
Visas not affected by the suspension
(1) Visitor Visas (B1/B2)
These include visas for short-term business and tourism:
B1 (Business): For activities such as attending conferences, negotiating contracts or consulting with business partners.
B2 (Tourism): For leisure travel, visiting family or friends, and medical treatment.
Combined B1/B2: Allows both business and leisure travel on the same trip.
Visitors are typically granted stays of up to six months per visit, subject to approval by US Customs and Border Protection officers.
(2) Student Visas (F and M)
These visas apply to individuals pursuing full-time studies in the United States:
F-1: For academic programmes at universities, colleges, high schools or language institutions.
M-1: For vocational or non-academic programmes.
Applicants must be admitted to a Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified institution before applying.
(3) Exchange Visitor Visas (J)
The J-1 visa remains valid for approved exchange programmes, including au pairs, interns, researchers, professors, physicians and teachers.
Applicants must be sponsored by authorised organisations and registered under the SEVIS system.
Individuals already holding valid US visas issued before the effective date of the suspension are also not affected.
The suspension applies exclusively to immigrant visas, which are issued to persons seeking permanent residency in the United States.
The US State Department has indicated that the pause is part of a broader review of screening procedures under public charge provisions, aimed at limiting the entry of individuals deemed likely to rely on public welfare systems, preventing fraud and addressing high overstay rates.
Full list of 75 countries affected:
Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Bhutan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Burma, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Colombia, Cote d’Ivoire, Cuba, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, The Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyz Republic, Laos, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, North Macedonia, Pakistan, Republic of the Congo, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, and Yemen
