The following category of foreigners will not require visas ECOWAS Citizens

• The Republic of Benin
• The Republic of Guinea
• Burkina Faso
• The Republic of Cote D’Ivoire
• The Republic of Mali
• The Federal Republic of Nigeria
• The Republic of Togo
• Sierra Leone
• The Republic of Senegal
• The Republic of Niger
• The Republic of Liberia
• The Republic of Cape Verde
• The Republic of Guinea Bissau
• The Republic of Gambia

Nationals of the following commonwealth Countries, East an d Southern African Countries

• Botswana
• Lesotho
• Malawi
• Swaziland
• Tanzania
• Uganda
• Zimbabwe
• Egypt
• Kenya
• Singapore
• Trinidad and Tobago

Holders of Diplomatic Passport/Service Passport of the following countries (for a period not exceeding 3 months)

• Brazil
• Cuba
• Germany
• Iran
• Hong Kong

Holders of Official Passport of African Union, Regional Economic Communities in Africa, United Nation and its Specialized Agencies

• The World Bank
• Africa Development Bank
• IMF
• WFP

Permitted activities include undertaking business meetings and conferences. It may also cover short training programs, installation, and urgent repair of equipment for very brief periods.

Traditionally, there are two main types of work permits available in Ghana namely:

• Short Term work permit valid for six months
• Long term work permits valid for one year (renewable)

Foreign nationals wishing to work in Ghana may obtain a work permit upon application to the Ghana Immigration Service under the Ministry of Interior. Companies registered under the Ghana Investment Promotion Center (GIPC) regime may be eligible to obtain automatic immigrant quotas from the GIPC. There may be a need for companies in various sectors to additionally comply with regulations of their sectors with respect to obtaining work permits. These sectors include the Petroleum Commission, Minerals Commission, Ghana Free Zones Authority, National Communication Authority among others.

The main qualifying criterion for this visa is the unavailability of a Ghanaian consulate at the country of departure. In addition, in cases where it becomes practically impossible due to the urgency of a trip to visit the nearest Ghanaian consulate, an applicant may request for an EV. The application is made in-country to the Comptroller General of Immigration.

Except for members of the African Union (AU), who do not require preapproval prior to travel, all other nationals are required to obtain the in-country approval prior to departure from the country of origin. The EV would be issued in the passports of the travelers once they arrive at the port of entry ion Ghana.

Yes, the law provides for pecuniary fines and in certain circumstances a person may be deported.

This document is required to be filed annually by the company detailing the foreign employees in their employment as at the beginning of each year