US tightens visa terms for Ghana with single-entry, 3-month limit

The new guidelines, updated on the U.S. State Department’s website, apply to several types of non-immigrant visas including those for business, tourism and studies.

These changes mark a major departure from the previous system where many Ghanaians and Nigerians could receive multiple-entry visas that lasted up to five years.

According to the update, only a few visa types will remain unaffected.

Diplomats and government officials from Ghana and Nigeria will still be eligible for longer-term visas ranging from two to five years.

Certain family-related visas like the K3 and K4, which cover spouses and children of U.S. citizens, will also retain multiple-entry status.

However, most others, including students on F-1 visas, will now receive only one-entry permits that expire after 90 days.

The U.S. government says these changes are part of its global reciprocity programme, where visa conditions for foreign nationals are matched to those their countries offer American travellers.

Nigerian nationals saw a similar shift earlier this year. In that case, a spokesperson for the U.S. Mission said it was part of “a routine adjustment based on visa reciprocity principles and security cooperation.”

So far, no official public statement has been issued specifically for Ghana, but analysts say such revisions usually reflect a combination of diplomatic considerations, security concerns, and immigration enforcement policies.

The move could have wide-reaching implications for Ghanaians and Nigerians hoping to travel to the U.S. for education, family visits or regular business.

Travellers will now need to reapply and pay the full visa fees for each new trip they make, significantly raising the cost and administrative burden.

In Ghana, many applicants are still trying to understand how the changes affect already-issued visas. U.S. consular officers say existing valid visas will remain in force until expiry, but all new applications will fall under the new system.