Former presidential staffer Dennis Miracles Aboagye has called on the government to respond swiftly to the United States’ new visa policy, warning of economic and diplomatic implications.
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The U.S. Department of State recently updated its visa policy for Ghana, limiting most non-immigrant visas, including B1/B2 (business and tourism) and F-1 (student) visas, to single entry and valid for only three months.
Previously, Ghanaians were often granted multiple-entry visas valid for up to five years.
According to Aboagye, the policy change will place an economic burden on Ghanaians, especially business travelers and students who frequently travel to the U.S.
“This 3-month single-entry visa thing has an economic burden and implications on Ghanaians. Wake up and fix it. This is diplomacy, not propaganda,” he said in a Facebook post.
Policy Details
- B1/B2 visas are now valid for 3 months, single entry only.
- F-1 student visas are limited to 3 months, despite longer academic durations.
- A-class visas for diplomats and officials remain multiple-entry (24–60 months).
- K1/K2 fiancé visas are single-entry and valid for 6 months.
- K3/K4 spouse visas remain multiple-entry and valid for 24 months.
The U.S. says the changes are part of its visa reciprocity policy, which aligns visa terms with those that host countries offer American citizens. Nigeria was subjected to a similar revision recently.
“If Ghana wants a five-year multiple-entry visa for its citizens, it must offer the same to Americans. This has nothing to do with sovereignty. It’s common sense,” Aboagye added.
He also criticized the government’s silence and attempts to downplay the issue, urging leaders to address the imbalance diplomatically and transparently.
The changes are expected to increase application costs and delays, affecting students, business professionals, and frequent travelers the most.
Background
This development follows Ghana’s decision to abstain from a recent UN Human Rights Council vote, which some observers speculate may have influenced U.S. diplomatic posture. However, the U.S. has not officially linked the visa change to any specific incident.
