The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) is an agency of the government of Ghana under the Ministry of the Interior. The GIS regulates the examination and authorization of applications for visas, entry, and residence permits in Ghana. Control of foreign nationals in Ghana, Facilitation of Ghanaian passport application processing, border control and management, Refugee registration, protection and management. The service advises on and ensures the effective implementation of all laws and regulations about immigration and related issues. Call or WhatsApp our Specialist for immediate assistance. 0539802748.

History

Prior to Ghana's independence from Britain, the service was known as the Immigration and Passport Unit, and was under the auspices of the Colonial Police Force of the British-ruled Gold Coast. The unit was headed by Nevile C. Hill. After the country gained independence in 1957, the expansion of the Ghanaian economy increased the number of foreign businessmen trading in the country. Because of Ghana's lead in the emancipation of the

African continent Africa is the world's second-largest and second-most populous continent after Asia. At about 30.3 million km2 (11.7 million square miles) including adjacent islands, it covers 20% of Earth's land area and 6% of its total surfac ...

from colonial rule, the number of tourists visiting the country, particularly from neighbouring African states, also increased. To control this influx, a

Cabinet Cabinet or The Cabinet may refer to: Furniture * Cabinetry, a box-shaped piece of furniture with doors and/or drawers * Display cabinet, a piece of furniture with one or more transparent glass sheets or transparent polycarbonate sheets * Filin ...

decision in 1960 moved the Immigration and Passport Unit to the

Ministry of the Interior An interior ministry or ministry of the interior (also called ministry of home affairs or ministry of internal affairs) is a government department that is responsible for domestic policy, public security and law enforcement. In some states, the ...

as a department. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs took over the issuing of passports after the change. Three years after the Immigration Service was moved to the Ministry of Interior, the Aliens Act 1963 (Act 160) was enacted to give legal backing to immigration operations. The Ghana Immigration Service was established in 1989 under PNDC Law 226.

Functions

The Immigration Service is charged with handling all the needs that relate to the country's dealings with non-citizens. The functions of the service are: # to create conducive environments, through the establishment of regulatory frameworks that facilitate the entry, residence and employment of foreigners in Ghana # to promote socio-cultural and economic development, by drawing a tangent between the promotion of

tourism Tourism is travel for pleasure, and the Commerce, commercial activity of providing and supporting such travel. World Tourism Organization, UN Tourism defines tourism more generally, in terms which go "beyond the common perception of tourism as ...

foreign direct investment A foreign direct investment (FDI) is an ownership stake in a company, made by a foreign investor, company, or government from another country. More specifically, it describes a controlling ownership an asset in one country by an entity based i ...

s, international business and technological transfer without compromising on

national security National security, or national defence (national defense in American English), is the security and Defence (military), defence of a sovereign state, including its Citizenship, citizens, economy, and institutions, which is regarded as a duty of ...

Getting a passport

The issuance of a Ghanaian passport is done by the ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration and not by the Ghana Immigration Service. The Ghana Immigration Service only plays a role in the passport application process. Acquiring a Ghanaian passport is a six-step process: # Purchase a passport application form from an approved point of sale (some local banks) # Complete the form correctly and submit it together with relevant documents to a Passport Application Center AC # Take digital photographs and biometric data-finger-prints # Receive a submission receipt, with passport collection date # When the passport is issued, it is sent to PAC where applicants can collect their passports by presenting their submission receipt and undergoing a final biometric check. This comes at a fee of GH¢100.00 (US$70.00) for the express service or GH¢50.00 (US$35.00) for regular service. However, it is difficult to acquire a passport in the period assigned to the application form due to reasons such as shortage of passport booklets and break-down of passport printers. Shortage of passport application forms is also a hindrance to easy acquisition of the Ghanaian passport.

Peace for Visa

2024 U.S. Visa Restrictions for Peace

On Monday, October 28, the United States announced a new visa restriction policy aimed at individuals deemed responsible for undermining democracy in Ghana, ahead of the country’s December presidential and parliamentary elections.

U.S. Secretary of State The United States secretary of state (SecState) is a member of the executive branch of the federal government of the United States and the head of the U.S. Department of State. The secretary of state serves as the principal advisor to the p ...

Antony Blinken Antony John Blinken (born April 16, 1962) is an American lawyer and diplomat who served as the 71st United States secretary of state from 2021 to 2025. He previously served as Deputy National Security Advisor, deputy national security advisor ...

emphasized that the policy targets specific individuals and is not directed at the Ghanaian people or the government of Ghana.

References