Last verified: 2026-06-09 · reflects the 25 May 2026 eVisa changes
Ghana entry requirements in 2026: visa, eVisa and the free African ETA
Ghana's entry rules changed on 25 May 2026, when the official eVisa portal launched with new fees and a fee waiver for African passports. Most pages online still describe the old system. This guide reflects the current rules, verified against the Ghana Immigration Service and the official portal.
Check your requirements
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Don't see your country? Check the official portal at evisa.immigration.gov.gh.
The three ways into Ghana
No visa needed
You can enter Ghana without a visa for the allowed stay. You still need a passport valid for 6+ months and a yellow fever certificate.
- Check your passport is valid for at least 6 months beyond arrival with one blank page
- Carry your yellow fever certificate (ICVP); Port Health checks it before immigration
- Book your flight and accommodation; immigration may ask for onward/return travel details
Free online application (African passports)
Since 25 May 2026, African (AU) passport holders pay no visa fees. You still apply online before travelling (the portal calls this lane an ETA) and undergo screening. This is not visa-free entry: apply before you fly.
- Apply at evisa.immigration.gov.gh (free for African passport holders)
- Standard processing is up to 96 hours, so apply at least a week before travel
- Carry your approval, a passport valid 6+ months, and your yellow fever certificate
eVisa required
Apply online at the official portal before travelling. Single entry costs $260 (standard, up to 96 hours), $338 (48 hours priority) or $442 (5 hours express). Multiple entry: $468 / $608 / $796.
- Apply at evisa.immigration.gov.gh, the only official channel since 25 May 2026
- Upload your passport biodata page and a passport photo; passport must be valid 6+ months
- Choose a processing speed (standard up to 96 hours; paid 48-hour and 5-hour tiers)
- Carry your eVisa approval and yellow fever certificate when you fly
Ghana eVisa fees (since 25 May 2026)
Fees on the official portal, in US dollars. African (AU) passport holders pay no visa fees.
| Processing speed | Single entry | Multiple entry |
|---|---|---|
| Standard: up to 96 hours (about 3–5 business days) | $260 | $468 |
| Priority: 48 hours | $338 | $608 |
| Express: 5 hours | $442 | $796 |
Heads-up: some Ghanaian embassy websites still publish the pre-portal fee schedule. The eVisa portal is the authoritative price list. These fees have drawn public criticism, so they may yet be revised.
Travelling in December?
Ghana has waived visa-on-arrival pre-approval during 'December in GH' for three consecutive years (roughly 1 December – mid-January, announced each November). If you're travelling in December, check the current year's waiver before applying.
Visa on arrival is NOT a routine option: outside the December window it is an Emergency Entry Visa requiring pre-approval from the Ghana Immigration Service, arranged in advance by a Ghana-based host or organisation.
Health, passport and arrival essentials
- Yellow fever certificate
- Ghana legally requires a yellow fever vaccination certificate (ICVP) from all travellers aged 9 months and older, issued at least 10 days before arrival. Certificates are valid for life (WHO 2016 rule: revaccination cannot be demanded). Port Health officials check it at the airport before immigration.
- Passport validity
- Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your arrival date, with at least one blank page.
- The airport
- You'll land at Accra International Airport (renamed from Kotoka International Airport in February 2026; the IATA code is still ACC). See our Accra airport arrival guide for SIM cards, cash and pickup tips.
- Money on arrival
- Declare amounts over US$10,000 on arrival. Ghana uses the cedi (GHS); cards work in malls and hotels but markets, taxis and many tours are cash-first.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa to travel to Ghana?
It depends on your passport. ECOWAS nationals and several other nationalities (including South Africa, Kenya, Morocco, Jamaica, and Trinidad & Tobago) enter visa-free. All other African (AU) passport holders apply online for free since 25 May 2026. Everyone else needs an eVisa from the official portal, evisa.immigration.gov.gh.
How much does a Ghana visa cost in 2026?
Since the official eVisa portal launched on 25 May 2026, a single-entry eVisa costs $260 with standard processing (up to 96 hours), $338 with 48 hours priority, or $442 with 5 hours express. Multiple entry costs $468 / $608 / $796. African (AU) passport holders pay no visa fees. Note: some embassy websites still show older, lower fees. The portal is authoritative.
How long does it take to get a Ghana visa?
Standard eVisa processing is up to 96 hours (about 3–5 business days). Paid faster tiers: 48 hours priority and 5 hours express. Apply at least a week before travel to be safe.
Does Ghana have visa on arrival?
Not as a routine option. Visa on arrival is an Emergency Entry Visa requiring pre-approval from the Ghana Immigration Service, arranged in advance by a Ghana-based host. The exception: Ghana has waived this requirement during 'December in GH' (roughly 1 December to mid-January) for three years running. Check each November for the current year's announcement.
Do I need a yellow fever vaccination for Ghana?
Yes. All travellers aged 9 months and older must carry a yellow fever certificate (ICVP), issued at least 10 days before arrival. It's valid for life, and Port Health officials check it at Accra International Airport before immigration.
What changed on 25 May 2026?
Ghana launched its first official eVisa portal (evisa.immigration.gov.gh), replacing manual embassy processing for most travellers, raised eVisa fees for non-African nationals (single entry from around $100 at embassies to $260 standard), and made visa applications free for all African (AU) passport holders.
Requirements by nationality
Sorted your entry? Now the fun part.
Book food tours, culture and nightlife experiences with verified local hosts in Accra, Cape Coast and beyond.
Explore experiences in GhanaBefore you book
GuideX is a travel-experiences marketplace, not a visa service, and this page is not legal advice. Entry requirements change frequently (nine material changes in the last two years), so always confirm with the official Ghana eVisa portal or your nearest Ghanaian mission before booking travel. Airlines verify documents against IATA Timatic at check-in; a visa or ETA does not guarantee entry, which remains at the discretion of the Ghana Immigration Service.