Hope for Nigeria as US reinstates long-term visas for Ghana

The United States has restored full visa validity for Ghanaians after Ghana agreed to accept deported West African nationals, including Nigerians, from the US.

In a statement on Saturday, the US Embassy in Ghana said the B1/B2 visitor visa is now valid for five years with multiple entries, while the F1 student visa is valid for four years with multiple entries.

These benefits had been cut in 2019 when Ghana refused to take in some deportees.

Former President John Mahama confirmed that Ghana is now receiving deportees who are not Ghanaian.

He told Reuters that 14 people  including Nigerians and a Gambian  arrived in Accra on September 11 and that authorities are working to send them back to their home countries.

He explained that the US approached Ghana to accept West African nationals, and the government agreed since ECOWAS citizens do not need visas to enter Ghana.

The deal is similar to policies under Donald Trump, when deportees were sent to third countries like Eswatini, South Sudan, and Rwanda. Nigeria, however, has refused to take part in such agreements and will not host deportees who are not Nigerian.

Observers believe the restored visa privileges for Ghanaians are directly linked to Ghana’s new cooperation with the US, a move that could reshape migration and diplomatic relations in West Africa.

However, this development has given Nigeria a glimmer of hope that the United State can have a rethink and reverse strict visa application on Nigeria.