US Lifts Visa Restrictions on Ghana After Deportee Agreement

The United States has lifted visa restrictions previously imposed on Ghana, restoring eligibility for five-year, multiple-entry visas for Ghanaian citizens.

The decision follows months of diplomatic engagement between Accra and Washington and Ghana’s recent acceptance of deportees from the U.S. and other West African countries.

Ghana’s Foreign Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, confirmed the development after a meeting with U.S. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, Allison Hooker, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly. He described the move as a “significant breakthrough” in U.S.–Ghana relations and said it would once again grant Ghanaians access to long-term, multiple-entry visas alongside other enhanced consular privileges.

The restrictions, introduced by the U.S. in July 2025, had limited Ghanaian travelers to single-entry, three-month visas. Washington cited concerns over overstays and difficulties in deporting undocumented migrants.

The change had sparked widespread frustration among business travelers, students, and the Ghanaian diaspora.

Diplomatic sources suggest that Ghana’s decision to cooperate with U.S. deportation requests played a key role in reversing the policy. Reports indicate that at least 14 deportees from West Africa were flown into Accra earlier in September as part of the agreement.

The U.S. Embassy in Accra has acknowledged the announcement, though a detailed statement from Washington is still expected. Ghanaian officials, meanwhile, have hailed the development as a relief for citizens who rely on regular travel to the United States for education, business, and family visits.

Analysts say the reversal highlights the delicate balance between U.S. migration policy and bilateral relations with African partners. While Ghana has regained favorable visa terms, observers caution that continued compliance with U.S. deportation agreements may remain central to keeping the restored privileges.

The decision is expected to boost travel, trade, and people-to-people ties between Ghana and the U.S., as both countries look to deepen cooperation in security, economic, and cultural spheres.