After Nigerian clampdown, US slashes visa duration for Ghanaian applicants

The United States government has announced a significant revision to its visa reciprocity policy for Ghana, restricting the duration and number of entries allowed under most non-immigrant visa categories.

• The U.S. government revised its visa reciprocity policy for Ghana, limiting most non-immigrant visa categories.
• Diplomatic and special visas retain longer multi-entry validity between 24 to 60 months.
• Most applicants now receive single-entry visas valid for three months under the new directive.

According to the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs, the new directive affects a wide range of visa classifications, with most Ghanaian applicants now limited to single-entry visas valid for a period of just three months.

Diplomatic and special visas retain long validity

Under the revised framework, holders of A-class visas, typically reserved for diplomats and government officials , will continue to receive multiple-entry visas, valid for between 24 and 60 months.

Similarly, K1 visas, issued to foreign-citizen fiancés or fiancées of U.S. citizens, and K2 visas, granted to their unmarried dependent children under 21, remain valid for six months but allow only one entry into the United States.

K3 and K4 visas, for spouses of U.S. citizens and their dependent children respectively, will still be issued as multiple-entry visas with a two-year (24-month) validity period.

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Student and tourist visas now limited

The updated rules significantly impact applicants for B-class visas, which cover tourism and business visits. These applicants will now receive only single-entry visas, valid for a maximum of three months.

Student visa applicants have also been affected. F-1 visa holders , typically students enrolled in full-time academic programmes in the U.S., will now be issued visas valid for a single entry and expiring after just three months. This represents a departure from previous arrangements, where such visas often permitted multiple entries and longer stays, typically ranging from one to five years.

The revised policy is part of the U.S. government's broader global reciprocity framework, under which visa conditions are matched with those extended to American citizens by other nations.

This latest move follows a similar revision recently applied to Nigerian nationals and may reflect ongoing diplomatic recalibrations or updated U.S. national security and immigration enforcement priorities. However, no formal explanation has yet been provided by American authorities specific to Ghana.

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Impact on frequent travellers and students

The change means that Ghanaians who frequently travel to the United States, for education, business engagements, or tourism , may now need to reapply for a visa ahead of each trip. This could lead to increased financial and administrative burdens, including higher visa processing costs and longer wait times.

Prospective travellers are advised to consult the U.S. Embassy’s official website or liaise with authorised immigration consultants to better understand how these new visa requirements may affect their travel plans.

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