The United States of America is a highly developed country with a high standard of living. The US also has one of the largest economies in the world and is one of the major hubs for technology, and civil development, with an architectural masterpiece. No wonder, every year a lot of people apply for a US visa at the US embassy in Accra.

But before you can travel to the United States, you will need a visa. The visa must be specific for the reason of your travel. In this article, we will show you how to apply for a US visa in Ghana, US visa requirements for Ghanaians, US visa fees for Ghanaians, US visa processing time in Ghana and lots more.

Depending on the purpose of your travel to the United States, there are different types of visas that will apply to the occasion. Whether you are planning to go on a visit, study or work and reside in the United States permanently, you will have to apply for a different United States Visa, accordingly.

What is a U.S. Visa?

A US visa is simply an endorsement on a passport of a foreigner that allows the passport holder to enter and leave the United States freely. The visa is valid for a period of time. They are basically two major types of US visa. The Immigration Visa (IV) and Non-Immigrant Visa (NIV).

Types of United States Visa – US Visa Application

They are two (2) major types of the United States of America visa, and we will take a lot at them and how to to apply.

Immigrant Visa (IV)

The United States Immigrant visa is for people who want to travel and live permanently in the United States. Once, the immigrant visa has been granted, you become a Legal Permanent Resident in the United States.

However, if you are applying for the Immigrant visa, you must be sponsored by a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident immediate relative(s), or prospective U.S employer and have an approved petition before applying for an immigrant visa.

Once the immigrant visa has been approved, you are just a few steps from becoming a United States of America citizen.

Non-Immigrant Visa (NIV)

The United States Non-Immigrant visa is for people who want to travel to the United States on a temporary basis in order to achieve certain purposes.

People who need a non-immigrant visa include students, tourists, specialty workers, and those seeking medical treatment.

To get approval for your non-immigrant visa, you need to demonstrate that you have strong ties with Ghana and that you intend to leave the U.S once you have achieved your purpose of visiting.

Common examples of non-immigrant visa include student visa, business/tourist visa, domestic employee visa, transit/ship crew visa, exchange visitor visa, journalist and media visa, diploma/government official visa and so on.

List of United States Non-Immigrant Visa

• Diplomats and foreign government officials (A)
• Business/Tourist (B-2)
• Transit (C)
• Ship/Airline Crew (D)
• Treaty Trader/Investor, Australian Professional Specialty (E)
• Student (academic/vocational) (F/M)
• Employees of a designated international organization, and NATO (G, NATO)
• Temporary/Seasonal Workers and Employment, Trainees (H)
• Journalist and Media (I)
• Exchange Visitor (J)
• Fiancé(e) or Spouse of U.S. Citizen (K)
• Intracompany Transferees (L)
• Student (vocational) (M)
• Persons with Extraordinary Ability (O)
• Athletes. Artists & Entertainers (P)
• International Cultural Exchange (Q)
• Religious Worker (R)
• Victim of Human Trafficking (T)
• NAFTA Professionals (TN/TD)
• Victim of Criminal Activity (U)
• Spouse and Children of a Lawful Permanent Resident (V)

U.S Visa Fees for Ghanaians

Ghanaians applying for U.S visa including children are required to pay a non-refundable, non-transferable visa application fee. This means, if you change your mind about applying for a U.S visa, you will not get your money back and it cant be used to apply for any other person including your immediate family.

The U.S visa fee must be paid whether a visa is issued or not. The type of visa for which you apply determines the fee amount. The receipt you will be issued after payment is valid for only one year. This validity period starts from when the receipts are issued.

You can pay the U.S visa application fee at any branch of GT Bank nationwide. Most visa fees for non-immigrant application is $160.

How to Pay for U.S Visa Fee in Ghana

The U.S. non-immigrant visa application fee payment is done at any GTBank branch nationwide. At the bank, request for a U.S. visa fee collection slip. Fill in your information (amount and phone number) and make your payment. Keep the receipt for your records.

Alternatively, the U.S visa application fee can also be done via online transfer provided you have a GTBank account enabled for online transactions.

Documents Required for a US Visa Application in Ghana

You will need these documents in order to schedule your visa appointment on your user dashboard.

• Original passport with at least two blank pages for visa and entry stamps and valid for at least six months beyond your return date.
• Your 10 digits barcode from DS-160 form confirmation page.
• Two colour passport photo.
• Proof of payment of visa fee (as applicable).
• Your bank receipt/ the receipt number.
• Appointment confirmation page.
• Proof of funds (1.e. bank statements, payslips, proof of assets and investments etc.).
• Supporting documents such as invitation letters, letter of employment, travel itinerary and provisional flight bookings.

MUST READ: Reasons for US Visa Refusal in Ghana

How to Apply for U.S Visa in Ghana

There are several steps to apply for a US visa in Ghana.

• Psy for your visa application fees at any branch of GTBank in Ghana.
• Complete the DS-160 form: https://ceac.state.gov/genniv/
• Create a profile in their system after completing your DS-160 form. Follow the link provided on their platform and click on ‘New user’.
• Create a password after completing all the fields. This will lead you to a dashboard.
• Schedule your appointment. Click on ‘schedule appointment’, which is found on the left-hand side. Read through to find out all documents needed for your appointment meeting.
• Be present at the U.S. embassy in Accra on the day and time of your appointment.
• When your visa is approved you may pick up your passport at DHL head office in North Ridge.

NOTE: You can only schedule an appointment as one person. Therefore, if you are planning to travel with children, they have to book their own appointments as well.