Ghana’s e-Visa is no longer restricted to airports

Ghana’s new e-visa application form is now offering up to 48 entry points, including land borders and ports. These figures come from field checks conducted on September 25, 2020, though no official announcement has been confirmed yet.

what the official portal says

The portal evisa.immigration.gov.gh, operated by Ghana's Immigration Service alongside the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, states that once an e-visa is approved, it is sent by email and can be presented digitally or printed at any entry point in Ghana. The homepage also mentions that it is valid at all international airports and land borders in the country. The document includes a QR code that border agents scan to verify its authenticity, and the portal provides an online verification system.

The portal was launched on May 25, 2020, as explained in our article on Ghana’s e-Visa launch. As of the time of writing, neither the Immigration Service nor the Ministry has published an official list of eligible entry points nor an announcement about this expansion.

the 48 entry points available on the form

The application form now lists 48 entry points, up from the 7 airports previously tested. The choices are made within the form, accessible after creating an account.

The breakdown from the checks conducted on September 25, 2020, shows:

• 7 airports: Accra, Kumasi, Tamale, Takoradi, Sunyani, Wa, and Ho ;

• 37 land border crossings, including Aflao and Akanu on the Togo side, Elubo on the Ivory Coast side, and Paga in the north ;

• 4 maritime or river points: ports of Tema and Takoradi, as well as the docks of Jaway and Ellanda.

According to these checks, the change applies to all e-visas, including tourist (B2), business (B1), and electronic travel authorization (ETA) for African passport holders.

Official e-visa guidelines at all entry points

The candidate guide published on the portal (applicant-guide.html) outlines rules that are not specific to any entry point.

An e-visa allows for a single entry and is valid for 90 days from its issuance date, though travelers must enter within 60 days as determined by the border officer’s discretion. The guide also notes that approval of the visa does not guarantee entry, subject to border authorities' discretion.

a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required to enter Ghana and may be checked upon arrival. Travelers without this certificate may be redirected to Ghana’s airport health services for the applicable procedure, including vaccination. At land border crossings, the guide does not specify how this procedure is organized.

Fees and processing times for ghanas e-visa

Fees are the same for all nationalities and depend on processing speed:

• standard processing (96 hours): 60 USD ;

• priority processing (48 hours): 60 USD ;

• express processing (5 hours): 60 USD.

A request cannot be modified or withdrawn after submission, and fees are generally non-refundable. The portal sets a timeframe of 3 days to respond to requests for additional information via the applicant dashboard.

When to use e-visa, eta, or visa-free entry

The portal distinguishes between three scenarios. nationals from ECOWAS and AES member countries enter visa-free. holders of African passports, including those from ECOWAS countries or countries with bilateral exemption agreements with Ghana, use the electronic travel authorization (ETA). All other travelers apply for an e-Visa, either tourist (B2) or business (B1).

The guide recommends travelers double-check their eligibility status via the portal’s verification tool before applying or traveling.