How to Apply for a Ghana Visa in Chicago

Chicago is America’s third-most-populous city and its metropolitan area, known as Chicagoland, has a population approaching 10 million people.  Chicago is a vibrant international city with a robust economy that is the corporate headquarters for 57 Fortune 1000 companies.  While manufacturing and food processing provide a strong foundation for its economy, the city is also an important financial center and is home to the Chicago Stock Exchange, Chicago Board Options Exchange, and the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. The Chicago metropolitan area covers 14 counties across three states—Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin—and includes cities like Aurora, Naperville, Joliet, Elgin, Waukegan, Cicero, Skokie, Gary (Indiana), and Kenosha (Wisconsin).  Chicago has one of the oldest and largest Ghanaian immigrant communities in the United States and is organized by several nonprofit groups such as the Ghana National Council of Chicago.  Each year this organization hosts Ghanafest, which is the largest event celebrating Ghanaian culture outside of Ghana.  This event not only provides entertainment by bringing some of Ghana’s top artists to Chicago, but also serves as a networking platform for Ghanaian businesses and Americans interested in doing business in Ghana.   

Ghana is a West African nation of 31 million people that has over 100 ethnic groups speaking nearly 80 languages.  The country has 335 miles of beautiful coastline along the Gulf of Guinea and Atlantic Ocean, and it shares a border with Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, and Togo.  Its land area is roughly the size of the combined area of Illinois and Indiana.  Ghana has a proud history and rich culture that is one of the most influential on the African continent.  Led by Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana’s first president and icon of the Pan-Africanism Movement, this was the first country in Sub-Saharan Africa to gain full economic and political independence during the era of European colonialism.  The ideals of the Pan-Africanism Movement are manifested today by the growing number of tourists traveling to Ghana from cities like Chicago to experience their cultural heritage and historical links to the African continent.  Oftentimes these tourists also discover business opportunities in Ghana, which has one of the fastest growing economies in the world.  Ghana is industrializing quickly and wants to be the manufacturing hub of West Africa.  As a center of American manufacturing, there is no better partner than Chicagoland businesses to realize this vision.       

Obtaining a Ghana Visa from Chicago

Visas for Ghana are issued by the Ghanaian government in the United States.  The government of Ghana is represented by their embassy located in Washington, D.C. and two consulates located in New York City and Little Rock, Arkansas.  To apply for a Ghana visa from Chicago, you must first fill out the visa application online through the Ghana embassy website and then send your original passport and supporting documents to their office by US Mail, FedEx, or UPS.  Here is the address:

Embassy of Ghana
Consular Section
3512 International Dr. NW
Washington, DC 20008

It is important to review the requirements for visas on the Ghana embassy website and ensure your application and all supporting documents are accurate.  Here is the link to the embassy website with detailed information: Visa Application - Embassy of Ghana, Washington DC (ghanaembassydc.org) 

You have the option of paying for UPS return shipping online when you complete your application (the shipping fee is $29.75) or you can include a self-addressed USPS (US Postal Service Express Mail or Priority Mail), FedEx, or UPS prepaid envelope (please make note of the tracking number) so the embassy can return your passport and visa to your home or office. 

The government fee for the single-entry visa using the regular processing of 15 business days (plus transit time) is $60 for U.S. citizens plus $3.10 for the payment processing fee.  The government fee for the multiple-entry visa using the regular processing is $100 for U.S. citizens plus $4.14 for the payment processing fee. 

If you need the visa faster, there is an option to pay an additional $40 for the single-entry visa (plus $4.14 for the payment processing fee) or an additional $100 for the multiple-entry visa (plus $7.23 for the payment processing fee).  Processing time for this rush service is 5 business days (plus transit time).  If you need the visa faster, please contact our company and we can provide you with options for expedited services. 

Other things to consider:

  • U.S. citizens must have a valid visa and a passport that does not expire within six months of your date of entry into Ghana.
  • Your U.S. passport must be signed; the signature page of your passport is located opposite the data page that has your name and photo.
  • All visitors to Ghana are required to have a valid World Health Organization (WHO) card with yellow fever vaccination. The vaccination should be taken at least ten 10 days before your date of departure to Ghana.  Please use the following link from the Center for Disease Control website to find the nearest clinic offering the yellow fever vaccine: Search for Stamaril yellow fever vaccination clinics | Travelers' Health | CDC
  • Please read the latest guidelines regarding COVID-19 on the Ghana embassy website: COVID-19 - Embassy of Ghana, Washington DC (ghanaembassydc.org)
  • It is recommended to purchase travel insurance before any international trip in case of medical emergencies.  We advise getting the Geo Blue Voyager Single Trip Plan.

Emergency Assistance for Ghana Citizens in Chicago 

If you are a citizen of Ghana living in the Chicago area with an emergency or require urgent assistance, you can reach the embassy in Washington, D.C. by calling 202-686-4520 or by email at info@ghanaembassydc.org.  You can find more information on the Embassy of Ghana website: Passport Application - Embassy of Ghana, Washington DC (ghanaembassydc.org).  You must appear in person at the embassy or consulate (by appointment only) to obtain a new passport, renew your existing passport, or replace a lost or stolen Ghana passport.  Please click on the following link to schedule your appointment at the embassy: Book Appointment – CONSULAR SERVICES (ghanapv.org)

We Can Help if You Need Assistance

If you live in Chicago or anywhere in the state of Illinois, Indiana, or Wisconsin and have difficulty applying for a Ghana visa, or require assistance with this process, please give our office a call at 404-682-5445 or schedule an appointment with our company.  We are a private agency in Atlanta providing Ghana visa services for Americans and other U.S.-based residents.  Our number one goal is to ensure your application documents for a visa are submitted accurately to the Ghanaian government.  Our services eliminate delays and give you the peace of mind to focus on your travel plans. 

We provide the following Ghana visa services for our customers in Chicago:

  • Ghana Tourist Visa
  • Ghana Business Visa
  • Ghana Diplomatic Visa
  • Ghana Official Visa
  • Ghana Hotel Accommodations