Ghana has rolled out a new electronic visa (e-Visa) system designed to speed up entry approvals and modernise border management, while offering visa-free processing fees for African travellers.
At the launch in Accra on Monday, May 25, 2026, President John Dramani Mahama announced that all African passport holders travelling to Ghana for business or tourism will now apply exclusively through the new online platform.
“Effective immediately, all holders of African passports travelling to Ghana for business or tourism will apply for visas exclusively via the new online e-Visa platform, and they will pay no visa fee,” the President said.
The new system introduces a 48-hour processing window for eligible applications.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa explained that applicants who submit complete documentation will receive decisions within two days.
“You will know within 48 hours whether your visa has been approved or not,” he said.
Under the policy, African passport holders are exempt from visa fees, while applicants from outside Africa will pay US$260.
Officials say the reform is part of Ghana’s broader Pan-African agenda and coincides with Africa Day celebrations.
Although the system simplifies entry, travellers must still complete online applications and pass security screening. It currently applies only to business and tourist visas.
Certain categories remain unchanged, including diplomatic passport holders, countries with visa waiver agreements, and student or family visa applicants. Ghana maintains about 50 such bilateral agreements.
Mr Ablakwa said the system meets International Civil Aviation Organisation standards and includes biometric verification and fraud prevention tools. The Cabinet approved the project through a joint proposal from key ministries.
The platform is being delivered through a public-private partnership with Rock Africa, which financed its development and will recover costs through service fees.
“Taxpayers have not been burdened,” Ablakwa said, also rejecting claims of a cancelled contract or potential judgment debt, insisting no previous e-visa platform agreement existed.
Minister for the Interior Muntaka Mohammed Mubarak said the system strengthens border security by allowing authorities to assess risks before passengers travel.
“Before a traveler even boards a plane, we already know who is coming,” he said.
He added that the digital system will reduce manual paperwork and allow immigration officers to focus more on intelligence and enforcement duties.
Transport Minister Joseph Bukari Nikpe said the e-Visa platform has been linked with airline passenger data systems introduced in 2025, enabling authorities to screen travellers before departure to Ghana.
