The U.S. government has implemented a new regulation that would result in a $250 fee for Ghanaians seeking U.S. non-immigrant visas.
Known as a visa integrity surcharge, the cost is applicable to a number of visa categories, such as work, student, exchange, and tourist visas.
Without accounting for other expenditures like travel, paperwork, and appointment-related fees, this new fee brings the average Ghanaian applicant’s U.S. visa application closer to $500.
All non-immigrant visa holders from Ghana and other nations not covered by the U.S. Visa Waiver Program will be subject to the recently announced $250 visa integrity cost, according to a report by Independent.co.uk. This covers visitors, students, and temporary workers.
Travelers who use ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization), which is primarily available to nationals of nations like the UK, Australia, Japan, and Singapore and entitles them to short-term, visa-free travel to the United States, will not be charged the price.
The total financial burden has been increased by the U.S. from $6 to $24 in addition to standard visa payments. Form I-94 is necessary for tracking arrivals and departures.
Section 10007 of a larger immigration reform statute includes the additional $250 fee. Under no circumstances is it reducible or waivable.
Only if visa holders closely adhere to U.S. immigration laws, such as leaving the country within five days of their visa expiring or obtaining lawful permanent status while there, may they be eligible for a refund.
The fee is immediately forfeited for any infraction, including working without authorization.
Nearly 11 million non-immigrant visas were granted in 2024, according to a U.S. government study, with much of those visas going to African Americans, Asians, and Latin Americans—the populations currently most affected by the new price.
The additional price makes an already costly and tedious process even more difficult for Ghanaian travelers, especially tourists, students, and temporary workers.
This is on top of the hefty cost of applying for a visa, the necessary medical examinations, and the airfare.
The majority of Ghanaians are granted three-month single-entry visas, which require them to pay the entire cost again if they need to return after leaving.
Regarding the new policy and its possible effects on visa services at the U.S. Embassy in Accra, the Foreign Affairs Ministry has not yet provided a statement.