Ghana Immigration and Visas

The legislation governing immigration in Ghana is the Immigration Act of 2000 and Immigration Regulations of 2001.

The main agency responsible for entry, employment and residence in Ghana is the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS). In addition, several other agencies have an active role in Ghana’s immigration system such as the Petroleum Commission (PC) in respect of companies active in the Petroleum industry, the Minerals Commission (MC) in respect of companies active in Mining, the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) for other companies with non-Ghanaian participation, the Free Zones Board (GFBZ) for companies registered as Free Zones companies and the National Communication Authority (NCA). These agencies are involved in various ways such as the issuance of immigrant quotas and recommendation and authorisation processes of companies looking at employing foreigners within their firms.

When you wish to work in Ghana as a foreigner on a long term basis a long term work permit has to be applied for. The three step process described above is applicable as well. A long term work permit is issued for a period of 12 months and is renewable.

Automatic quotas can be issued to fully or partially owned foreign employers with investments made into Ghana. Depending on the invested capital the Ghana investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) can grant a work permit quota regulating the number of expats that can be employed. The employer has to be registered with the GIPC first.

A residence permit has to be applied for after obtaining a work permit. This permit allows the foreigner to ‘reside’ in Ghana. Among required documents that will have to be provided with the application is a valid work permit, a medical report, police clearance report from home country, a passport copy of the applicant etc. The processing time for a residence permit is approximately three to four weeks.

Spouses and other dependant family members may apply for a residence permit along with the main applicant in order to receive authorisation to reside in Ghana.

Foreigners of 6 years or older who reside in Ghana for 90 days or longer cumulatively have to apply for a Non-Citizens Ghanean ID card.

This is a special work permit category created for foreigners working the oil and gas industry. A rotator permit can be issued for up to 6 months while a long term permit is valid for 6 to 12 months.

Note that citizens from any ECOWAS (West African) countries can apply for a special ECOWAS work permit . The process is significantly easier than for any other nationals.

Ghanaian Immigration laws define a dependant to include a spouse and a child. A marriage certificate and birth certificate usually evidence this respectively. In order to be eligible for a dependent residence permit the applicant must reside with the main applicant in Ghana. This permit does not allow the dependent to work. Where work is expected, a dependent must obtain a work permit.
Ghana does not recognise same-sex marriages and such partners would not qualify as dependents.