News

Ghanaians To Pay Extra $250 For U.S. Visa Under New Policy

Published

1 year ago

July 21, 2025

Ghanaians applying for U.S. non-immigrant visas will now face an additional $250 fee, following a new policy introduced by the United States government.

The fee, described as a visa integrity surcharge, applies to various categories including tourist, student, exchange, and work visas.

This new charge pushes the total cost of a typical U.S. visa application for Ghanaians closer to $500, excluding other expenses such as travel, documentation, and appointment-related costs.

According to a report by Independent.co.uk, which confirms that the recently announced $250 visa integrity fee will apply to all non-immigrant visa holders from Ghana and other countries not part of the U.S. Visa Waiver Program. This includes tourists, students, and temporary workers.

The fee will not apply to travellers using ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorisation) — an option available mainly to citizens of countries like the UK, Australia, Japan, and Singapore, who qualify for visa-free short-term travel to the U.S.

In addition to regular visa fees, the U.S. has also increased the Form I-94 fee — required for tracking arrivals and departures — from $6 to $24, adding to the overall cost burden.

The new $250 charge is part of Section 10007 of a broader immigration reform law. It is non-waivable and non-reducible under any circumstances.

However, it may be refunded only if visa holders strictly comply with U.S. immigration rules — such as departing the country within five days after their visa expires or securing lawful permanent residency during their stay.

Any violation, including working without authorisation, automatically leads to forfeiture of the fee.

While the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has said the systems to collect the fee are not yet in place, it confirmed that the fee will be enforced within the current fiscal year.

A spokesperson noted that implementing the charge “requires cross-agency coordination” and is part of broader efforts to “restore integrity to the U.S. immigration system.”

The fee will be reviewed and adjusted annually based on inflation.

Travellers from over 40 visa-waiver countries — including Germany, Japan, and the UK — will not be required to pay the new $250 fee for short stays under 90 days.

However, the cost of applying for an ESTA is set to almost double, increasing from $21 to $40.

A U.S. government report revealed that nearly 11 million non-immigrant visas were issued in 2024, with a large number going to Africans, Asians, and Latin Americans — the groups now hit hardest by the new charge.

For Ghanaian travellers — particularly students, tourists, and temporary workers — the new fee adds another layer of cost to an already expensive and stressful process.

This comes on top of high visa application fees, required medical exams, and flight expenses.

Most Ghanaians are issued three-month single-entry visas, meaning they must pay the full fee again if they leave and need to return.

The Foreign Affairs Ministry has not yet commented on the new policy or its potential impact on visa services at the U.S. Embassy in Accra.

myjoyonline.com

Education

Over 10 Students Arrested Over Okuapeman-Mount Sinai SHS Clash

Published

2 days ago

September 3, 2026

AladdynKing

More than 10 students have been apprehended in connection with the clashes between Okuapeman Senior High School and Mount Sinai Senior High School in the Akuapem North Municipality of the Eastern Region.

The arrests follow reprisal attacks between students of the two schools, which resulted in the burning and destruction of several structures on both campuses in the early hours of Wednesday, September 2, 2026.

Speaking on Eyewitness News on Wednesday, September 2, Eastern Regional Police Commander, DCOP Joseph Owusu-Bempah, said some of the students fled their schools when the police arrived. Still, he warned that their absence would not prevent the police from arresting them.

“We have apprehended them. And there are more,” he said, adding that the police are compiling a comprehensive list of all persons involved in the violence.

He disclosed that the investigation had also uncovered information suggesting that some teachers may have encouraged students to attack their counterparts.

According to him, the police have obtained the names of teachers allegedly linked to the incident and will take action against them if investigations establish their involvement.

“We have the names of the teachers. They have nowhere to go. At the appropriate time, we will arrest all of them, and their names will be published,” DCOP Owusu-Bempah warned.

DCOP Owusu-Bempah assured the public that anyone found to have participated in the violence would be dealt with in accordance with the law, while urging students to return to school and cooperate with the investigation.

He also appealed against any interference in the police process, warning that such actions could undermine efforts to restore calm and ensure accountability.

At Okuapeman SHS, six students were injured and taken to hospital following the incident. The school’s Headmaster said four of the students had since been treated and discharged, while two remained on admission as of Wednesday.

The exact trigger for the clashes remains unclear, but the police have begun investigations to establish what led to the confrontation and identify all those responsible.

citinewsroom.com

Education

GES Releases National Harmonised Prospectus For 2026/27 SHS Admissions

Published

2 days ago

September 3, 2026

AladdynKing

The Ghana Education Service (GES) has announced the release of the National Harmonised Prospectus for prospective Senior High School (SHS) and Senior High Technical School (SHTS) students for the 2026/2027 academic year.

The prospectus is intended to guide parents and students on the essential items required for enrolment, covering both boarding and day students.

GES has urged parents and students preparing for the next stage of their education to carefully review the prospectus and make the necessary preparations ahead of the commencement of the new academic year.

Schools and other relevant stakeholders have also been directed to adhere to the requirements outlined in the prospectus to ensure a smooth, consistent and standardised admission process nationwide.

The release of the prospectus comes ahead of the announcement of school placements and is expected to help newly admitted students and their parents adequately prepare for enrolment once placements are released.

Parents and prospective students are therefore encouraged to familiarise themselves with the approved requirements to avoid challenges during the admission process.

Below is the list of items outlined in the prospectus that parents and guardians are required to acquire for their wards: