Ghana is moving closer to the launch of its new electronic visa application system. Just days before the announced rollout, scheduled for May 25, 2026, according to Ghanaian authorities, the official e-Visa application portal is now accessible online.
Identified by VisasNews, the platform, available at evisa.immigration.gov.gh, offers a first concrete look at how the future system will work. The website is presented as an official platform operated by the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS), in collaboration with Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The portal is designed to allow travelers to check their eligibility, create an account, complete an application, upload supporting documents, pay visa fees, and track the status of their file online. Once approved, the e-Visa will be sent by email and may be presented, either digitally or in printed form, upon arrival in Ghana.
The launch of the portal marks an important step in a reform that Accra has been announcing for several months. Ghana’s foreign minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, confirmed in late April that the Cabinet had approved the new e-Visa policy, with the launch expected on May 25, 2026.
Several visa types and fees listed
The new portal is not limited to tourism or business travel. The platform points to a more comprehensive system intended to cover several travel purposes.
Among the categories listed are tourist visas, business visas, family visit visas, work visas (for both short- and long-term), transit visas, student visas, as well as diplomatic, official, and service visa categories.
One of the main takeaways from the portal is the cost of the e-Visa. The fees currently displayed are relatively high, especially for urgent applications and multiple-entry visas.
For a single-entry e-Visa, the listed fees are:
- $260 for standard processing within 72 hours;
- $338 for priority processing within 48 hours;
- $442 for express processing within five hours.
For a multiple-entry e-Visa, the listed fees are:
- $468 for standard processing within 72 hours;
- $608 for priority processing within 48 hours;
- $796 for express processing within five hours.
At this stage, these rates would place Ghana’s e-Visa among the most expensive electronic authorizations on the continent for travelers who require a visa. They will, however, need to be monitored closely when the official launch takes place, to confirm whether they remain unchanged.
What documents are required to apply for Ghana’s e-Visa?
For a tourist application, the portal notably requires the passport biodata page, a passport-style photo, proof of accommodation, and a round-trip airline ticket. Travel insurance, a yellow fever vaccination certificate, and possible additional supporting documents may also be required depending on the application.
For business travel, the supporting documents are more extensive. Applicants will need to provide the biodata page of their passport, a passport-style photo, an invitation letter issued from Ghana, a mission letter, proof of financial means, and a return or onward ticket. Company registration documents may also be requested.
These requirements confirm that the move to an electronic visa will not eliminate the need to prepare a complete application file. Travelers will still need to gather their supporting documents before submitting their request online.
Toward a free ETA for African travelers
The launch of the portal is also expected to come with a specific measure for African nationals. Ghanaian authorities have announced that, from May 25, 2026, African travelers would be able to benefit from a free electronic visa.
After reviewing the new portal, however, this measure appears to be moving toward an electronic travel authorization, or ETA, rather than a full electronic visa. This approach aligns with the idea of easier access to Ghana for African citizens, while still maintaining a digital pre-travel formality.
“ECOWAS, African Union & Caribbean nationals qualify for a free Electronic Travel Authorisation,” Ghana’s e-Visa portal states.
The distinction matters. The announced free access therefore does not mean entry without any formality. Travelers from the countries concerned will still need to apply online and obtain authorization before traveling, unless they already fall under an existing visa-exemption regime.
The full launch of the portal will be needed to confirm the precise list of eligible nationalities, the documents required for this ETA, and its period of validity.
