US Embassy Accra: location and contact
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Embassy address | No. 24 Fourth Circular Road, Cantonments, Accra |
| Main telephone | +233 30 274 1000 |
| Official website | gh.usembassy.gov |
| Visa appointments and fee payment | Official US visa appointment website for Ghana |
| DS-160 application form | ceac.state.gov |
If you are searching for the "US consulate in Ghana", visa work is handled by the consular section of the embassy in Accra. Always check your appointment confirmation for the exact entrance to use: the State Department's immigrant visa instructions for Accra, for example, give the interview address as No. 19 Fifth Link Road, Cantonments. The embassy's published security rules say phones, tablets, laptops, smartwatches and other electronic items cannot be taken in.
Which visa services the embassy handles
- Visitor visas (B1/B2) - business meetings, conferences, tourism, visiting family and medical treatment.
- Student and exchange visas (F, M, J) - university and college study, exchange programmes.
- Work visas - petition-based categories such as H, L, O, P and R, plus crew and transit (C1/D).
- Immigrant visas - family, employment and Diversity Visa cases.
Since 1 August 2026 the State Department has named Accra as one of its regional visa hubs in Africa, meaning it may also serve applicants from neighbouring countries whose local US posts no longer offer routine visa services. Ghanaians continue to apply in Accra.
How to apply for a US visa from Ghana
- Confirm the right visa category. Tourism or business trips usually need a B1/B2; study needs an F-1 (or M-1/J-1). Students must first receive a signed Form I-20 from a SEVP-approved school and pay the SEVIS I-901 fee.
- Complete the DS-160 on the Consular Electronic Application Center. Answers must be in English, you need your application ID to return to a saved form, and a partly completed form is kept for 30 days. Upload a compliant digital photo and print the confirmation page with the barcode.
- Create an account on the Ghana appointment website and pay the visa application (MRV) fee using the payment options shown there.
- Book your interview in the same account. If you have an urgent, documented reason to travel sooner, the site explains how to request an expedited appointment.
- Attend the interview with your documents. If approved, your passport is kept for visa printing and returned through the delivery option chosen in your account.
Under guidance updated on 15 July 2026, applicants should book in their country of nationality or residence. If you are a Ghanaian living abroad, or a foreign national resident in Ghana, be ready to prove residence where you apply. Fees paid for an appointment elsewhere cannot be refunded or transferred.
US visa fees for Ghanaians
| Visa type | Application (MRV) fee | Reciprocity issuance fee for Ghanaians | Maximum validity for Ghanaians |
|---|---|---|---|
| B1/B2 visitor | US$185 | None | 60 months, multiple entry |
| F-1 student | US$185 | None | 48 months, multiple entry |
| J-1 exchange visitor | Check fee page (no fee for some US government-sponsored programmes) | None | 12 months, multiple entry |
| H-1B worker | US$205 | US$755 | 60 months, multiple entry |
| L-1 intracompany transferee | US$205 | US$1,355 | 60 months, multiple entry |
| R-1 religious worker | US$205 | US$155 | 24 months, multiple entry |
The MRV fee is non-refundable, even if the visa is refused. "Maximum validity" is the longest visa the officer can issue - the officer may issue a shorter one.
Visa Integrity Fee: US federal law (8 U.S.C. 1806) creates a Visa Integrity Fee of at least US$250, charged when a nonimmigrant visa is issued, with reimbursement possible later for people who comply with their visa conditions. At the time of writing, the State Department's official fee page does not list it or confirm a collection date for Accra, so check the official fees page and your appointment account before you apply.
Documents to bring to your interview
| Document | Visitor (B1/B2) | Student (F-1) |
|---|---|---|
| Passport valid for at least six months beyond your stay | Yes | Yes |
| DS-160 confirmation page | Yes | Yes |
| Appointment confirmation and fee receipt | Yes | Yes |
| Printed photo (only if the DS-160 upload failed) | If needed | If needed |
| Signed Form I-20 and SEVIS fee payment evidence | - | Yes |
| Evidence of funds (bank statements, sponsor letters, scholarship letters) | Yes | Yes |
| Evidence of ties to Ghana (employment letter, business registration, property, family) | Yes | Yes |
| Purpose of trip (invitation, conference registration, medical letter) | Yes | - |
| Academic transcripts and certificates | - | Yes |
Officers may not ask for supporting documents, but organised papers help you answer clearly. New F-1 students can receive a visa up to 365 days before their programme start date but cannot enter the US more than 30 days before it.
Interview preparation and interview waivers
The consular officer's main questions are whether your trip purpose is genuine, whether you can pay for it, and whether you will leave the US at the end of your stay. Practical tips:
- Know your DS-160 answers - any mismatch with what you say raises doubts.
- Answer briefly and honestly in your own words; do not memorise scripts.
- Students should be able to explain their course, why they chose the school, how it is funded and their plans after graduating.
Interview waiver rules (in force since 1 October 2025): almost all applicants, including children under 14 and adults over 79, now need an in-person interview. The main exception for Ghanaians is a B1/B2 renewal where the previous visa was issued for full validity, expired less than 12 months ago, and was issued when you were at least 18. You must also be applying in your country of nationality or residence, have no previous refusal (unless it was overcome or waived) and have no apparent ineligibility. Officers can still call anyone for interview.
2025-2026 policy changes affecting Ghana
- Visa validity restored: in July 2025 new Ghanaian B1/B2 visas were cut to three months, single entry. Ghana's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on 27 September 2025 that this had been reversed, and the State Department's reciprocity table now shows 60-month multiple-entry B1/B2 visas for Ghanaians.
- Social media vetting: since 2019 the DS-160 has asked most applicants for their social media identifiers. From 30 March 2026, applicants for F, M, J, H-1B, H-4 and several other categories must set all their social media profiles to public. See our guide to US visa social media vetting in 2026.
- Travel restrictions: Ghana is not on the list of countries under full or partial visa suspension that took effect on 1 January 2026 - although several West African neighbours are.
- Visa bonds: Ghana is not on the State Department's list of countries whose B1/B2 applicants must post a bond of US$5,000-US$15,000.
- Immigrant visa pause: Ghana was among 75 nationalities affected by a pause on immigrant visa issuance from 21 January 2026. Following a court order, that pause was no longer in effect as of 21 August 2026. It never applied to visitor or student visas.
- US$750 expedited appointment pilot: this paid pilot runs at selected posts in the Americas until 31 December 2026. Accra is not currently a pilot location.
Appointment wait times
Wait times in Accra change with staffing and season - demand rose sharply ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Check the State Department's Global Visa Wait Times tool for the latest estimate for Accra by visa type, and remember the figure is an estimate that does not include processing after the interview or passport return. Book early, especially for summer travel and September university intakes.
How West Side Travel can help
US visa decisions are made only by consular officers, but a well-prepared application makes your interview easier. West Side Travel can review your DS-160 answers and supporting documents, help you put together a clear document file, and talk through your travel or study plans in a one-to-one consultation before your interview. See our services, read our guides to UK, Canada and Schengen visas, or contact us.
Book a consultation on WhatsApp
Frequently asked questions
Where is the US Embassy in Ghana located?
The US Embassy is at No. 24 Fourth Circular Road, Cantonments, Accra. The main phone line is +233 30 274 1000. Check your appointment letter for the correct entrance for visa interviews.
How much is a US visa fee in Ghana?
The application fee is US$185 for visitor (B1/B2) and student (F-1) visas and US$205 for petition-based work visas such as H and L. Ghanaians pay no extra issuance fee for B or F visas, but some work categories carry one. Confirm current amounts on the official fees page.
How do I book a US visa appointment in Ghana?
Complete the DS-160 first, then create an account on the official US visa appointment website for Ghana, pay the MRV fee and choose an interview date. Use only the official website - never pay anyone offering to sell appointment slots.
How long is a US visitor visa valid for Ghanaians?
The maximum is currently 60 months with multiple entries, after the July 2025 reduction to three months was reversed in September 2025. The consular officer can issue a shorter visa, and visa validity is different from how long you may stay on each visit.
Can I renew my US visa in Ghana without an interview?
Possibly, if you are renewing a full-validity B1/B2 visa that expired less than 12 months ago, you were 18 or older when it was issued, you apply in Ghana (or your country of residence) and you have never been refused. Most other applicants now need an interview.
Do Ghanaians need to pay a US visa bond?
No. Ghana is not on the State Department's current visa bond country list. That list is updated from time to time, so check again before you apply.
How long does it take to get a US visa interview in Accra?
It varies by visa type and season. Use the State Department's Global Visa Wait Times tool for the current estimate for Accra and apply well ahead of your travel date.
Sources
- Travel.State.gov - Ghana country information (embassy contact)
- Travel.State.gov - Ghana visa reciprocity schedule
- Travel.State.gov - US Embassy Accra interview instructions
- Travel.State.gov - Fees for visa services
- Travel.State.gov - Visitor visa
- Travel.State.gov - Student visa
- Travel.State.gov - DS-160 online application
- Travel.State.gov - Interview waiver update (18 September 2025)
- Travel.State.gov - Applying in your country of residence
- Travel.State.gov - Regional visa hubs in Africa
- Travel.State.gov - Expanded screening and vetting
- Travel.State.gov - Suspension of visa issuance (country list)
- Travel.State.gov - Countries subject to visa bonds
- Travel.State.gov - Immigrant visa processing updates
- Travel.State.gov - Expedited appointment pilot programme
- Travel.State.gov - Global Visa Wait Times
- Official US visa appointment website - Ghana
- Ghana Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Reversal of US visa restrictions on Ghana