The United States government has introduced a $250 visa integrity surcharge for Ghanaians applying for non-immigrant visas, including tourist, student, exchange, and work categories. This new charge, part of a broader immigration reform law under Section 10007, raises the total cost of a typical U.S. visa application for Ghanaians to nearly $500—excluding travel, documentation, and appointment-related expenses.
The fee is non-waivable, non-reducible, and only refundable under strict compliance with U.S. immigration rules, such as timely departure or lawful status adjustment. Any violation, such as unauthorized work, results in forfeiture.
The surcharge does not apply to travellers using the ESTA system, which is limited to citizens of visa-waiver countries like the UK, Australia, and Japan.
The U.S. has increased the Form I-94 fee from $6 to $24, further inflating travel costs. The Department of Homeland Security has confirmed that systems to implement the new charges will be activated within the current fiscal year, subject to annual inflation-based review.
Nearly 11 million non-immigrant visas were issued in 2024, with Africans, Asians, and Latin Americans most affected by this policy shift.
Ghanaian travellers—particularly students and temporary workers, who often receive short-term, single-entry visas—face increased financial strain, as they must repay the full amount for repeat visits. Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has yet to respond to the development.
