Residency in Ghana allows foreigners to reside in Ghana for a specified period. A residence permit may be granted to foreigners who plan to stay in Ghana for a significant period. It can usually be issued for a period of one to four years upon first entry and no more than eight years in total. One of the requirements for a permit is that the applicant must be legally admitted to Ghana at the time of application. The issuance of a residence permit is also subject to the condition that the person to whom it is issued does not engage in any business, trade or professional activity, except as may be specified in the permit.

Documents required to obtain a residence permit in Ghana

1. Application form

2. Passport and a copy of the main page

• Your passport must be valid for at least six months after the date of return.
• It should also have at least two blank pages.

3. Two photos

4. Biographical certificate (CV) of the applicant.

5. A letter from the applicant's employer applying on behalf of the applicant for a residence permit.

6. Detailed information about the company

• Certificate of Commencement and Certificate of Registration issued by the Registrar General.
• Company tax certificate issued by the tax service;

7. Work permit approval letter from the Ghana Immigration Service

8. Letter of approval from the Ministry of Internal Affairs

9. Police report from the country of residence

10. Medical report from a recognized hospital in Ghana

11. Application letter from the company

12. Guarantee obligation

13. Letter of guarantee

14. Employment contract/appointment letter

15. Residence permit approved by the Ghana Free Zones Board (GFZB):

• Free zone enterprise license
• The shape of the free zone
• Free zone cover letter

16. Gas/oil exploration:

Letter of support

• From the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) / Energy Commission Company details:
• Certificates of commencement of activity
• Incorporation
• Registration and Company Regulations GIPC approval in the form of a letter of introduction indicating the number of quotas provided and the applicant's position in the company.

Quota approval

• Issued by the Ministry of Internal Affairs for the period during which this company is allowed to conduct mineral extraction
• Or a work permit issued by the Ministry of Internal Affairs for the period when this company is allowed to conduct mineral exploration

17. Non-governmental organization:

• Letter of support from the Ministry of Employment and Social Security
• Certificates of incorporation/registration/start of activity
• Application letter from a non-governmental organization
• A letter from the industry ministry agreeing to the applicant's qualifications
• Work permit from the Ministry of Internal Affairs
• A copy of the agreement between the government and the NGO

The time of consideration of the application for obtaining a residence permit in Ghana

The average processing time for an application for a residence permit in Ghana is 3 months.

The cost of a visa in Ghana

• Citizens of Ghana with a foreign passport – 150 USD
• Citizens of ECOWAS countries – 300 USD
• Other citizens - 500 USD