Select a visa category below to find the visa issuance fee, number of entries, and validity period for visas issued to applicants from this country*/area of authority.
Visa Classification: The type of nonimmigrant visa you are applying for.
Fee: The reciprocity fee, also known as the visa issuance fee, you must pay. This fee is in addition to the nonimmigrant visa application fee (MRV fee).
Number of Entries: The number of times you may seek entry into the United States with that visa. "M" means multiple times. If there is a number, such as "One", you may apply for entry one time with that visa.
Validity Period: This generally means the visa is valid, or can be used, from the date it is issued until the date it expires, for travel with that visa. If your Validity Period is 60 months, your visa will be valid for 60 months from the date it is issued.
| Visa Classification |
Fee | Number of Entries |
Validity Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| A-1 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| A-2 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| A-3 1 | None | Multiple | 24 Months |
| B-1 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| B-2 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| B-1/B-2 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| C-1 | None | Multiple | 24 Months |
| C-1/D | None | Multiple | 24 Months |
| C-2 | None | Multiple | 24 Months |
| C-3 | None | Multiple | 24 Months |
| CW-1 11 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
| CW-2 11 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
| D | None | Multiple | 24 Months |
| E-1 2 | No Treaty | N/A | N/A |
| E-2 2 | No Treaty | N/A | N/A |
| E-2C 12 | None | Multiple | 24 Months |
| F-1 | None | Multiple | 48 Months |
| F-2 | None | Multiple | 48 Months |
| G-1 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| G-2 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| G-3 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| G-4 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| G-5 1 | None | Multiple | 24 Months |
| H-1B | $755.00 | Multiple | 60 Months 3 |
| H-1C | None | Multiple | 60 Months 3 |
| H-2A | None | N/A | N/A3 |
| H-2B | None | N/A | N/A3 |
| H-2R | None | Multiple | 60 Months 3 |
| H-3 | None | Multiple | 60 Months 3 |
| H-4 | $755.00 | Multiple | 60 Months 3 |
| I | None | One | 3 Months |
| I | $175.00 | Multiple | 12 Months |
| J-1 4 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
| J-2 4 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
| K-1 | None | One | 6 Months |
| K-2 | None | One | 6 Months |
| K-3 | None | Multiple | 24 Months |
| K-4 | None | Multiple | 24 Months |
| L-1 | $1,355.00 | Multiple | 60 Months |
| L-2 | $1,355.00 | Multiple | 60 Months |
| M-1 | None | Multiple | 24 Months |
| M-2 | None | Multiple | 24 Months |
| N-8 | None | Multiple | 36 Months |
| N-9 | None | Multiple | 36 Months |
| NATO 1-7 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| O-1 | None | Multiple | 60 Months 3 |
| O-2 | None | Multiple | 60 Months 3 |
| O-3 | None | Multiple | 60 Months 3 |
| P-1 | None | Multiple | 60 Months 3 |
| P-2 | None | Multiple | 6 Months 3 |
| P-3 | None | Multiple | 6 Months 3 |
| P-4 | None | Multiple | 60 Months 3 |
| Q-1 6 | None | Multiple | 15 Months 3 |
| R-1 | $155.00 | Multiple | 24 Months |
| R-2 | $155.00 | Multiple | 24 Months |
| S-5 7 | None | One | 1 Month |
| S-6 7 | None | One | 1 Month |
| S-7 7 | None | One | 1 Month |
| T-1 9 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| T-2 | None | One | 6 Months |
| T-3 | None | One | 6 Months |
| T-4 | None | One | 6 Months |
| T-5 | None | One | 6 Months |
| T-6 | None | One | 6 Months |
| TD 5 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| U-1 | None | Multiple | 48 Months |
| U-2 | None | Multiple | 48 Months |
| U-3 | None | Multiple | 48 Months |
| U-4 | None | Multiple | 48 Months |
| U-5 | None | Multiple | 48 Months |
| V-1 | None | Multiple | 120 Months |
| V-2 | None | Multiple | 120 Months 8 |
| V-3 | None | Multiple | 120 Months 8 |
Although care has been taken to ensure the accuracy, completeness and reliability of the information provided, please contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you plan to apply if you believe this information is in error or if you have further questions.
The validity of A-3, G-5, and NATO 7 visas may not exceed the validity of the visa issued to the person who is employing the applicant. The "employer" would have one of the following visa classifications:
An E-1 and E-2 visa may be issued only to a principal alien who is a national of a country having a treaty, or its equivalent, with the United States. E-1 and E-2 visas may not be issued to a principal alien if he/she is a stateless resident or national of a country without a treaty. *When the spouse and children of an E-1 or E-2 principal alien are accorded derivative E-1 or E-2 status and are themselves a national of a country that does not have a treaty with the United States – the reciprocity schedule, including any reciprocity fees, of the principal alien’s country of nationality should be used. **Spouse and children of an E-1 or E-2 visa principal applicant, where the spouse and children are also nationals of a country that has a treaty with the United States – the reciprocity schedule, including any reciprocity fees, of the spouse and children’s country of nationality should be used.
*Example 1: John Doe is a national of Country A that has an E-1/E-2 treaty with the U.S. however his wife and child are nationals of Country B which has no treaty with the U.S. The wife and child would, therefore, be entitled to derivative status and receive the same reciprocity as John Doe, the principal visa holder.
**Example 2: Mike Doe is a national of Country Y that has an E-1/E-2 treaty with the U.S. however his wife and child are nationals of Country Z that also has a treaty with the U.S. The wife and child would, therefore, be entitled to derivative status and receive the reciprocity issued to nationals of Country Z.
The validity of H-1 through H-3, O-1 and O-2, P-1 through P-3, and Q visas may not exceed the period of validity of the approved petition or the number of months shown, whichever is less.
Under 8 CFR §214.2, H-2A and H-2B petitions may generally only be approved for nationals of countries that the Secretary of Homeland Security has designated as participating countries. The current list of eligible countries is available on USCIS's website for both H-2A and H-2B visas. Nationals of countries not on this list may be the beneficiary of an approved H-2A or H2-B petition in limited circumstances at the discretion of the Department of Homeland Security if specifically named on the petition.
Derivative H-4, L-2, O-3, and P-4 visas, issued to accompanying or following-to-join spouses and children, may not exceed the validity of the visa issued to the principal alien.
There is no reciprocity fee for the issuance of a J visa if the alien is a United States Government grantee or a participant in an exchange program sponsored by the United States Government.
Also, there is no reciprocity fee for visa issuance to an accompanying or following-to-join spouse or child (J-2) of an exchange visitor grantee or participant.
In addition, an applicant is eligible for an exemption from the MRV fee if he or she is participating in a State Department, USAID, or other federally funded educational and cultural exchange program (program serial numbers G-1, G-2, G-3 and G-7).
However, all other applicants with U.S. Government sponsorships, including other J-visa applicants, are subject to the MRV processing fee.
Under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), Canadian and Mexican nationals coming to engage in certain types of professional employment in the United States may be admitted in a special nonimmigrant category known as the "trade NAFTA" or "TN" category. Their dependents (spouse and children) accompanying or following to join them may be admitted in the "trade dependent" or "TD" category whether or not they possess Canadian or Mexican nationality. Except as noted below, the number of entries, fees and validity for non-Canadian or non-Mexican family members of a TN status holder seeking TD visas should be based on the reciprocity schedule of the TN principal alien.
Since Canadian nationals generally are exempt from visa requirement, a Canadian "TN' or "TD" alien does not require a visa to enter the United States. However, the non-Canadian national dependent of a Canadian "TN", unless otherwise exempt from the visa requirement, must obtain a "TD" visa before attempting to enter the United States. The standard reciprocity fee and validity period for all non-Canadian "TD"s is no fee, issued for multiple entries for a period of 36 months, or for the duration of the principal alien's visa and/or authorized period of stay, whichever is less. See 'NOTE' under Canadian reciprocity schedule regarding applicants of Iranian, Iraqi or Libyan nationality.
Mexican nationals are not visa-exempt. Therefore, all Mexican "TN"s and both Mexican and non-Mexican national "TD"s accompanying or following to join them who are not otherwise exempt from the visa requirement (e.g., the Canadian spouse of a Mexican national "TN") must obtain nonimmigrant visas.
Applicants of Iranian, Iraqi, Libyan, Somalian, Sudanese, Syrian or Yemeni nationality, who have a permanent resident or refugee status in Canada/Mexico, may not be accorded Canadian/Mexican reciprocity, even when applying in Canada/Mexico. The reciprocity fee and period for "TD" applicants from Libya is $10.00 for one entry over a period of 3 months. The Iranian and Iraqi "TD" is no fee with one entry over a period of 3 months.
Q-2 (principal) and Q-3 (dependent) visa categories are in existence as a result of the 'Irish Peace Process Cultural and Training Program Act of 1998'. However, because the Department anticipates that virtually all applicants for this special program will be either Irish or U.K. nationals, the Q-2 and Q-3 categories have been placed only in the reciprocity schedules for those two countries. Q-2 and Q-3 visas are available only at the Embassy in Dublin and the Consulate General in Belfast.
No S visa may be issued without first obtaining the Department's authorization.
V-2 and V-3 status is limited to persons who have not yet attained their 21st birthday. Accordingly, the period of validity of a V-2 or V-3 visa must be limited to expire on or before the applicant's twenty-first birthday.
Posts may not issue a T-1 visa. A T-1 applicant must be physically present in the United States, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands or a U.S. port of entry, where he/she will apply for an adjustment of status to that of a T-1. The following dependents of a T-1 visa holder, however, may be issued a T visa at a U.S. consular office abroad:
The validity of NATO-5 visas may not exceed the period of validity of the employment contract or 12 months, whichever is less.
The validity of CW-1 and CW-2 visas shall not exceed the maximum initial period of admission allowed by DHS (12 months) or the duration of the transition period ending December 31, 2014, whichever is shortest.
The validity of E-2C visas shall not exceed the maximum initial period of admission allowed by DHS (24 months) or the duration of the transition period ending December 31, 2014, whichever is shortest.
Available
Fees: Free if the child is registered within 12 months of its birth. After 12 months, the fee is GHC 20
Document Name: Certified copy of Entry in Register of Births
Issuing Authority: Registrar of Births and Deaths of Ghana
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Computer generated certificate on green A4-sized paper. Approx. 2cm square 3D holographic security sticker reading CONTROLLER AND ACCOUNTANT GENERAL.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Ag. Registrar of Births and Deaths or Principal Assistant Registrar of Births and Deaths. There are currently only four individuals with the authority to sign birth and death certificates.
Registration Criteria: Within the first 12 months of the birth, the parents should present a “weighing card” or “welfare centre card” which is provided at the child’s first well-baby visit with a medical practitioner. If 12 months or more have elapsed since the birth, the parents must present the weighing card, baptismal certificate and parents’ passports. Persons over 18 years of age must apply in person, present a valid voter ID card and passport as proof of identity, and must be accompanied by a witness who can attest to the applicant’s birth.
Procedure for Obtaining: Records of registrations more than one year old are deposited with the Office of the Registrar of Births and Deaths for Ghana, C/O Ministry of Local Government, P.O. Box M.270, Accra, Ghana. If the applicant resides outside of Ghana, the person applying must present a written authorization from the individual whose birth certificate is being requested. Persons under 18 years of age must have their parent or guardian obtain the certificate. Certificates are usually issued within 10 working days.
Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are available
Alternate Documents: Applicants who are over the age of 60 who have never registered their birth are not eligible to receive a birth certificate and should instead submit an affidavit sworn before a Commissioner of Oaths.
Exceptions: None
Comments: The majority of registrations are not made at the time of birth, and often no registration is made until an individual requires a birth certificate for immigration purposes. Registrations not made within one year of an individual's birth are not reliable evidence of identity or relationship, since any registration, but especially late registrations, may often be accomplished upon demand, with little or no supporting documentation required. Because of the prevalence of late registrations, secondary evidence of birth is often required. Common secondary evidence includes midwife's certificates of birth, “weighing cards” or welfare centre cards, and baptismal certificates. Ghana Health Service provides a Child Health Record (a green pamphlet), and Maternal Health Record (a pink pamphlet) to every infant and pregnant woman as a means of recording medical details of pregnancy and the first year of life. Some educational certificates, such as the WAEC (a.k.a. WASSCE) record the subject’s date of birth and can be verified by U.S. Embassy Accra.
Available
Fees: Free if the death is registered within seven days. After seven days the fee is GHC 30.
Document Name: Certified Copy of Entry in Register of Deaths
Issuing Authority: Registrar of Births and Deaths of Ghana
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: There is no special seal(s)/color/format
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Ag. Registrar of Births and Deaths or Principal Assistant Registrar of Births and Deaths. There are currently only four individuals with the authority to sign birth and death certificates.
Registration Criteria: A family member must apply in person and present an affidavit from the family head nominating him or her to apply for the certificate, and a certificate from the medical examiner or pathologist naming the medical cause of death. If the deceased died at home, a police report must also accompany the application.
Procedure for Obtaining: Death records that are more than one year old are deposited with the Office of the Registrar of Births and Deaths for Ghana, C/O Ministry of Local Government, P.O. Box M.270, Accra, Ghana. Certificates are usually issued within 14 working days.
Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are available
Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents
Exceptions: None
Comments: None
Available: For civil, customary, and Islamic (Mohammedan) marriages.
Fees:
Document Name:
Issuing Authority:
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format:
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Principal Registrar of Marriages
Registration Criteria:
Procedure for Obtaining: Either party to the marriage can request a certified copy of a marriage certificate in writing to the Principal Registrar of Marriages, C/O Registrar General's Office, P.O. Box 118, Accra, Ghana, or in person at the local Registrar’s office where the marriage was registered.
Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are available
Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents
Exceptions: None
Comments: Most marriages in Ghana are performed under customary law, and written records are kept only if the couple chooses to register the marriage with the local registrar. Many Ghanaians misconstrue the traditional marriage ceremony as an “engagement.” However, under Ghanaian marriage law, once a “bride price” has been paid, the traditional marriage becomes recognized and lawful.
Persons married under customary law who subsequently wish to marry under civil or ordinance law must obtain a civil marriage certificate which reflects the words "married under customary law" in the space provided for "condition." Polygamous marriage is permissible under Islamic marriage and customary marriage, but not under civil law. Proxy marriages are allowable in customary marriage only, and while the marriage certificate will not indicate that the marriage was concluded by a proxy, the parties to the marriage are required to submit a sworn affidavit to the Registrar General’s Office naming the parties to the marriage, their proxies, and the marriage particulars. The Registrar can verify whether a sworn affidavit was submitted for a marriage certificate where the marriage was concluded by a proxy. Same sex marriage is not recognized in Ghana. The City of Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) keeps an excellent web site with good information on marriage law in Ghana.
Available: For civil, customary, and Islamic (Mohammedan) marriages.
Fees: Depends on the court where the divorce was completed.
Document Name: Divorce Certificate or Decree of Dissolution
Issuing Authority: High Court, District Court, or Circuit Court that granted the divorce
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: The format varies depending on the local court that issues it. It may or may not be on official letterhead, and may or may not bear the stamp, seal, or watermark of the Ghana Judicial Service.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Registrar of the High Court, District Court, or Circuit Court
Registration Criteria: Civil, customary and Islamic marriages should be dissolved by a court of law under the Matrimonial Causes Act of 1971.
Procedure for Obtaining:
Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are not available
Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents
Exceptions: None
Comments: Affidavits or "statutory declarations" attesting to a divorce under customary law, even when duly sworn, do not constitute proper documentation of the dissolution of a Ghanaian customary marriage. Certificates of divorce issued by courts that are not in the jurisdiction of residence of the applicants should be considered suspicious.
Available
Fees: None at this time, though that may change in 2019.
Document Name: Adoption decree
Issuing Authority: High Court that granted the adoption. District courts cannot grant an adoption.
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: The format varies depending on the court that issues it. It may or may not be on official letterhead, and may or may not bear the stamps, watermark or seals of the Judicial Service.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Registrar of the High Court
Registration Criteria: Ghana is a Hague Convention Country. For inter-country adoptions, a new adoption order can only be granted upon completing the adoption steps required by the convention.
Procedure for Obtaining: The adoptive parents or adoptee may request certified copies of adoption decrees from the court which finalized the adoption order by contacting them directly. In many cases, an in-person request will probably be required.
Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are not available
Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents
Exceptions: None
Comments: None
Not yet available. The National Identification Authority of Ghana plans to national ID cards to every Ghanaian by June 2020, free of charge. This information will be updated in the future.
Available
Fees:
Document Name: Criminal Check
Issuing Authority: The Ghana Police Criminal Investigation Department
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Printed on gray security paper. Has the Ghana Police logo in the upper center and also a central watermark of the logo. The applicant’s picture is on the center right with a holographic seal affixing the picture to the document.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: There is no issuing authority personnel title
Registration Criteria: There is no registration criteria
Procedure for Obtaining:
Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are not available
Alternate Documents: None
Exceptions: None
Comments: Ghana police certificates are not an accurate representation of an individual’s law enforcement history in Ghana.
Available
Fees: Depends on the type of request and number of copies required, but usually between GHC 10-20 per page.
Document Name: Varies depending on issuing court
Issuing Authority: The high court or district court where the proceedings took place.
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: The document received from the court should have the water mark which reads JUDICIAL SERVICE written across the document in capital letters.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: There is no issuing authority personnel title
Registration Criteria: There is no registration criteria
Procedure for Obtaining: Requests for court documents should be made in person at the court where the proceedings took place.
Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are not available
Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents
Exceptions: None
Comments: None
Available
Fees: There are no fees
Document Name: Prison Record
Issuing Authority: Director General of Prisons
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: There is no special seal(s)/color/format
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Director General of Prisons
Registration Criteria: There is no registration criteria
Procedure for Obtaining: Requests for a prison record may be made in writing to the address listed below. Processing time varies, depending on the length of the sentence, how long ago and in what prison the sentence was served.
Director General of Prisons
PO Box 129
Accra
Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are not available
Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents
Exceptions: None
Comments: None
Available
Fees: There may be a fee for this service
Document Name: Military Records
Issuing Authority: Ministry of Defense
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: There is no special seal(s)/color/format
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Director of Personnel Administration
Registration Criteria: There is no registration criteria
Procedure for Obtaining: If a person has served in the Gold Coast or Ghana Armed Forces, requests are to be made to the Director of Personnel Administration, Ministry of Defense, Burma Camp, Accra, Ghana.
Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are not available
Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents
Exceptions: None
Comments: None
Types Available (Regular, Diplomatic, Official, etc.): Regular Passport
Fees: 50 Ghc for regular service (21 working days); 600Ghc for express service (up to 9 working days)
Document Name: Passport
Issuing Government Authority: Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Hunter green cover, inscribed in goldleaf with the ECOWAS emblem and the words "Republic of Ghana."
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: There is no issuing authority personnel title
Registration Criteria: There is no registration criteria
Procedure for Obtaining: All passport applicants must appear in person for biometrics collection and an interview with a passport adjudication official. Applicants in Accra should complete their application online, download their passport photo, and make an appointment using the online appointment system. For applicants outside Accra, the application can be completed by hand and submitted at any passport office without an appointment.
Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents
Exceptions: None
Comments:
Not applicable.
Post Title: U.S. Embassy in Ghana
Address:
Physical address:
No. 24, Fourth Circular Rd, Cantonments, Accra
GHANA
Ghana Mailing Address:
Consular Section
US Embassy in Ghana
P.O. Box GP 194
Accra, Ghana
Mailing Address from the United States:
Consular Section
US Dept. of State
2020 Accra Place
Washington, DC 20521-2020
Phone Numbers:
Email: consularaccra@state.gov
Comments / Additional Information: None
All categories for all of Ghana.
Although care has been taken to ensure the accuracy, completeness and reliability of the information provided, please contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you plan to apply if you believe this information is in error or if you have further questions.
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