The Government has confirmed plans to launch a national electronic visa (e‑Visa) platform in 2026, as part of a broad push to modernise Ghana’s passport and visa services, facilitate trade, and enhance tourism. The announcement was made by President John Dramani Mahama during his 2026 State of the Nation Address to Parliament.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs implemented a five‑day visa processing service across Ghana’s Missions abroad. Concomitantly, significant progress has been made in the design and procurement phases of a national electronic visa (e‑Visa) platform, with a targeted rollout planned for 2026,” the President said.
The e‑Visa platform will allow foreign nationals to apply online, upload supporting documents, pay fees electronically, and receive entry approval without visiting a Ghanaian diplomatic mission in person. The system is expected to speed up visa processing, attract tourists and investors, and improve Ghana’s competitiveness as a travel destination.
Visa Waivers Expand Mobility
President Mahama also highlighted that Ghana has signed visa waiver agreements with 11 countries, a move aimed at facilitating people-to-people exchanges, trade, and investment. Visa waiver agreements enable citizens of partner countries to enter Ghana without pre-obtained visas, promoting tourism, business travel, and diaspora engagement.
“Ghana has also secured new visa waiver agreements with 11 countries to facilitate people‑to‑people exchanges, trade, and investment,” he stated.
Passport Services Strengthened
Alongside the e‑Visa rollout, the Government has expanded passport services nationwide. Seven new Passport Application Centres have been opened in the Upper East, Oti, Ahafo, Bono East, North East, Savannah, and Western North regions, ensuring that all sixteen regional capitals now host passport centres.
The President explained that to tackle previous delays, the ministry set up a 24-hour passport production system at its headquarters, which cleared a backlog of over 40,000 applications. Consequently, Ghana’s passport services now operate without any backlog, ensuring all passports are delivered within 15 working days nationwide.
He further noted that Ghanaian citizens now benefit from five‑day visa processing across Missions abroad, streamlining international travel for business, tourism, and education.
Strengthening Global Engagement
These reforms form part of a wider strategy under the Government’s Reset Agenda to modernise foreign affairs and diaspora policy, strengthen bilateral and multilateral relations, and make Ghana an accessible hub for trade and tourism in Africa.
Together, the e‑Visa platform, faster visa and passport processing, and new visa waivers are expected to boost trade, attract investment, expand tourism, and strengthen links with the diaspora, positioning Ghana as a modern, digitally-enabled nation ready to engage globally.
