Ghana on U.S. visa ban watchlist over student visa overstays, government confirms

The U.S. has placed Ghana on a watchlist due to a high rate of student visa overstays, raising potential visa sanctions.
The observed rate of overstays among Ghanaian student visa holders is 21%, exceeding the U.S.-acceptable limit of 15%.
Ghana's government has initiated discussions with U.S. authorities to address the issue, focusing on collaborative solutions.

This development was confirmed by Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa during a press briefing held in Accra on Thursday, 26 June.

According to Mr Ablakwa, U.S. authorities have officially informed the Ghanaian government that the rate of Ghanaian students overstaying their visas in the U.S. has reached 21%, exceeding the permissible limit of 15%.

"The issue has created considerable anxiety, and that report came to all of us as a surprise," he stated. "However, I can confirm to you this evening that the government, led by the Honourable Foreign Minister, has engaged U.S. officials. We've had very productive meetings. The U.S. authorities have now formally brought this to our attention, so it is no longer a leaked report."

Clarification on sanction categories

While addressing concerns, Mr Ablakwa clarified that Ghana is not being lumped together with countries accused of more severe breaches such as terrorism, violent extremism, or state-sponsored violence.

"The ban, according to U.S. officials, will affect countries not complying with some 12 listed concerns. These range from terrorism, state sponsorship of terrorism, and being safe havens for violent extremists, to high rates of visa overstays," he explained. "The U.S. officials have communicated to us that Ghana’s concern specifically relates to student visa overstays."

Overstay statistics and Ghana's response

Data presented by the U.S. reveals that 21% of Ghanaian students on visas have failed to return home upon completing their studies, which significantly breaches the U.S. threshold.

Despite the situation, Mr Ablakwa urged calm, reassuring the public that Ghana has a strong history of cooperation with U.S. immigration standards.

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"The engagements, I must say, are going well because U.S. authorities have confirmed that, apart from overstays, all the other troubling matters, including terrorism, do not apply to Ghana. We have been formally notified of 188 Ghanaians on President Trump's deportation list, and our embassies in New York and Washington have been compliant," he added.

"We take the view that Ghana's issue, which has to do with overstays, is not so severe that it should place us in the same category as countries sponsoring terrorism or harbouring extremists."

Diplomatic engagements to continue

The government is expected to intensify diplomatic efforts with U.S. officials in the coming weeks to prevent any visa restrictions that could potentially affect education, travel, and broader diplomatic relations.