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U.S. Slaps $250 Integrity Fee on Ghanaian Visa Applicants, Raising Total Costs Near $500
Ghanaians seeking to travel to the United States on non-immigrant visas will now have to pay an additional $250 visa integrity surcharge, significantly raising the overall cost of visa applications.
The new policy, introduced by the U.S. government under a broader immigration reform law, affects applicants in tourist, student, exchange, and temporary work categories and will bring the average cost of a U.S. visa application for Ghanaians close to $500 — excluding expenses like travel to the consulate, documentation, appointment fees, and required medical exams.
The fee is part of Section 10007 of a recent immigration law aimed at tightening control over visa compliance and restoring “integrity” to the U.S. immigration system, according to officials from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
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The surcharge is non-waivable and non-reducible — meaning every Ghanaian applying for a non-immigrant visa must pay it in full. The only circumstance under which the fee may be refunded is if the visa holder strictly complies with U.S. immigration laws, including:
- Leaving the U.S. within five days of visa expiration;
- Securing lawful permanent residency before the visa’s expiry;
- Avoiding any unauthorised employment or status violations.
Any infraction, even minor, will result in automatic forfeiture of the fee.
A report by Independent.co.uk confirmed that the surcharge affects nationals from all countries outside the U.S. Visa Waiver Program, including Ghana. In contrast, citizens of countries like the United Kingdom, Australia, Japan, and Singapore—who can use the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) for short stays—are exempt from the fee.
However, even ESTA is getting more expensive: the cost of an ESTA application will nearly double from $21 to $40.
In another policy shift, the Form I-94 fee—used to track entries and exits for non-immigrant visitors—has also been increased from $6 to $24, further adding to the financial burden.
This means that a Ghanaian student or tourist could now be looking at a base cost of over $500, factoring in:
- Existing visa application fees (around $185),
- The new $250 surcharge,
- The $24 I-94 fee,
- Plus auxiliary costs such as travel to Accra, biometrics, and other logistics.
Although the fee is not yet being collected, the DHS confirmed that it will be implemented within the current fiscal year once administrative systems and cross-agency coordination mechanisms are finalised.
“This surcharge is part of a broader push to uphold the rule of law in our immigration system,” a DHS spokesperson said, adding that the amount will be adjusted annually based on inflation and operational reviews.
The new policy has sparked concern among Ghanaian travellers, particularly students, temporary workers, and tourists, who already face multiple challenges in securing U.S. visas. Most applicants are issued three-month single-entry visas, meaning a full reapplication—and repayment—is required each time they wish to return to the U.S.
The new surcharge adds to:
- High visa rejection rates,
- Limited appointment slots,
- Stringent documentation requirements,
- And now, significantly higher costs.
As of 2024, the U.S. issued nearly 11 million non-immigrant visas globally, with Africans, Asians, and Latin Americans forming the bulk of recipients — and now, the most impacted by this new fee.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration has not yet issued a statement on the surcharge or its implications for Ghanaian visa applicants.
Meanwhile, advocacy groups and international education consultants are calling on Ghanaian authorities to engage diplomatically with the U.S. government to discuss the policy’s disproportionate impact on applicants from developing countries.
Until then, Ghanaians hoping to visit, study, or work temporarily in the United States must prepare for a steeper price tag and stricter compliance measures.
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