Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has assured Parliament that the recent U.S. visa restrictions affecting Ghanaian travellers are temporary and expected to be lifted following ongoing diplomatic efforts.
Responding to questions in Parliament on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, Mr. Ablakwa disclosed that the U.S. Embassy in Accra has confirmed the new three-month single-entry visa policy is part of a broader move by the Trump administration targeting 36 countries over visa-related violations.
“With the assurances we received from the U.S. Embassy, the three-month single entry, which is a temporary measure for those 36 countries, is part of actions being taken by President Trump in response to various violations,” Ablakwa said. “In Ghana’s case, it relates to visa overstays. They claim 21 percent of our students who travelled in the past ten years have not returned.”
The revised U.S. visa policy drastically cuts the validity period for most Ghanaian non-immigrant visa applicants. Previously, applicants could secure multiple-entry visas valid for up to five years, particularly in the B-class (business and tourism) and F-class (student) categories. Under the new rules, these are now limited to a single entry and a validity of just three months.
Diplomats and government officials holding A-class visas remain unaffected and will continue to enjoy visa durations ranging between 24 and 60 months. However, the majority of Ghanaian travellers—students, businesspeople, and tourists—face stricter conditions.
The changes are particularly concerning for Ghanaian students on F-1 visas, who now risk academic disruptions, as reapplying for visas during studies may become necessary when travelling outside the U.S.
The U.S. Department of State has framed the move under its broader visa reciprocity policy, which seeks to align how U.S. citizens are treated abroad. Similar visa restrictions have recently been imposed on countries like Nigeria.
Mr. Ablakwa emphasized that the Ghanaian government is committed to resolving the situation through diplomatic channels.
“We are engaging. The goal is to demonstrate progress in addressing their concerns and have Ghana removed from this temporary sanctions list,” he stated.
