News

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

Published

11 months 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

Energy

See The Areas That Will Be Affected By Power Outages On June 4

Published

3 days ago

June 4, 2026

AladdynKing

The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has announced multiple power outages for Thursday, June 4, 2026, affecting communities in the Tema, Eastern, Central, and Western Regions, with a combination of planned and emergency maintenance exercises scheduled across the country.

In the Tema Area, a planned maintenance exercise will take place from 10:00 am to 4:00pm. The affected areas include the Sea Water Desalination Plant, Maranatha, Buade, Glow Lamp, Frimpongmaa Estates, Abrantie, Dan Adams, Coastal Estates, Basket, GCB Training School, Ataa Adama, Royal Ravico, Junction Mall, Regimanuel Estates, Parakuo Estates, Queensland International School, Kpoo Keke, Best Western Premier Hotel, Leisure Hours Hotel, and extensive parts of Nungua including Zongo, Township, Traditional Council, Polyclinic and Secondary School. Also affected are the Kpeshie Divisional Police Headquarters, Coco Beach, Main 1, Father’s Hotel, C5 and surrounding areas. The notice was originally issued on Monday, June 1.

In the Eastern Region, a planned maintenance exercise will run from 8:00am to 5:00pm, affecting Sekesua, Anyamoni, Oterkpolu, Bukonor, Asesewa, Akateng and surrounding areas. This notice was originally issued on Tuesday, 2nd June.

The Central Region will experience a planned outage from 9:00am to 3:30pm, affecting Brimso Headworks, Akaikrom, Police Barrier, Ankaful Junction, Mpeasem, WAEC, Yayaaikawa, Wanyiwato, part of Dominase, Duakyimase and surrounding areas.

In the Western Region, ECG will undertake two separate exercises. The first is an emergency maintenance from 10:00am to 2:00pm, affecting Dixcove, Busua, Cape 3, Agona Damtsi, GREL and surrounding areas. The second is another emergency maintenance from 9:00am to 4:00pm, affecting Akoon, UEE, parts of Market Circle, Railway Quarters, Apinto Hospital, Cyanide, Kwabedu, Alhaji Dauda, New Atuabo, Budo City, Banso, Esuosu and surrounding areas.

ECG has expressed regret for the inconvenience that will arise from all these exercises. The company has advised affected customers to make alternative arrangements for power-dependent activities during the specified hours.

All notices were originally issued between Monday, June 1 and Wednesday, June 3, 2026. ECG assured that power supply would be restored to all affected areas upon completion of the scheduled maintenance works. Customers have been encouraged to contact ECG’s official communication channels for further updates.

graphic.com.gh

General News

Today’s Newspaper Headlines: Thursday, 4th June, 2026

Published

3 days ago

June 4, 2026

AladdynKing

General News

Assin Edubiase: School Bus ‘Plunges’ Into River, Two Pupils Killed

Published

3 days ago

June 3, 2026

AladdynKing

Tragedy struck when a school bus transporting more than 40 pupils of a preparatory school at Assin Edubiase in the Assin South District of the Central Region veered off the road and plunged into a river.

It resulted in the death of two kindergarten pupils of the Alice Elites Academy.

The deceased, a three-year-old and a five-year-old, were among pupils who were in the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter bus with registration number AS 2218-20.

The accident occurred on the Assin Kwafokrom-Homaho stretch on Monday [June 1, 2026].

Graphic Online understands that the driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle, it veered off the road, and plunged into the river.

Dozens of pupils got injured.

ASP Wonder Lumor from the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Central North Regional Police Command told Graphic Online that the 40 injured pupils were transported to health facilities for emergency medical care.

According to him, 22 of the victims were taken to the St. Francis Xavier Hospital, while the 18 others received treatment at the Assin Edubiase Health Centre.

ASP Lumor explained that all the injured pupils responded positively to treatment and were later discharged.

graphic.com.gh