Ghanaian Visa Applicants to Face $250 ‘Integrity Fee’ — Implementation Still Pending

Ghanaian citizens applying for U.S. non-immigrant visas — including for tourism, study, work, or cultural exchanges — will soon face a new financial hurdle under U.S. law: a $250 “visa integrity fee” scheduled to take effect around October 1, 2025. The fee, mandated by the recently enacted One Big Beautiful Bill Act, applies to nearly all non-immigrant visa categories and is non-waivable  .

While the U.S. government indicates the fee may be reimbursed if visa holders fully comply with all terms — such as leaving the country timely and not working without authorization — the process and timing of refunds remain uncertain and undeveloped  .

For Ghanaian applicants, the fee would represent a significant addition to the already costly visa application process — potentially pushing total costs toward $500, not including other administrative and travel expenses  .

Despite the legal requirement, the U.S. Embassy in Ghana currently reports no changes to visa fees or application procedures at present  . This indicates that while the law is in force, proper implementation and fee collection systems are still being worked out.

Implications for Ghanaians

• Higher visa costs could deter students, tourists, entrepreneurs, and families seeking to visit the U.S.
• The unclear refund process adds financial uncertainty, especially for longer-term visas.
• Ghana’s Foreign Ministry may need to engage diplomatically to address reciprocity concerns and financial pressures facing Ghanaians.

In summary: Yes, Ghanaian applicants will eventually be required to pay the $250 visa integrity fee as part of U.S. policy on non-immigrant visas — likely coming into effect from October 2025. However, official implementation in Ghana has not yet begun, and applicants should monitor announcements from the U.S. Embassy in Accra for updates.

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