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Ghana

Nationality · visas, permits and migration

Moved to OECD countries, 2023
23,249
Top destination, 2023
United States
U.S. non-immigrant visas, FY2025
23,645
UK visas issued, 2025
37,929
Schengen visa refusal rate, 2024
44.5%
NationalityGHISO 3166
Year by year
Data as at 2025
NA<GHGHANA<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
GH3<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<6

Visa requirements for a short visit

Whether citizens of Ghana need a visa for a short tourist or business visit, according to the legal lists. Rules change; check the official source before travelling.

DestinationShort visitLegal basis
Schengen areaVisa requiredRegulation (EU) 2018/1806 (consolidated 30.12.2025)
United KingdomVisa requiredImmigration Rules, Appendix Visitor / ETA National List
CanadaTemporary resident visa requiredIRPR s. 190, Schedule 1.1
Hong KongVisa requiredImmigration Department (HKSAR), visit visa requirements, 31.12.2025
Source: Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 (consolidated 30 Dec 2025); UK Immigration Rules, Appendix Visitor and ETA National List; Canada IRPR s. 190 and Schedule 1.1; Immigration Department (HKSAR), visit visa requirements as at 31 Dec 2025Data as at Oct 2026

Where people from Ghana move

Inflows of foreign nationals by country of nationality, as recorded by each destination (OECD).

Inflows to OECD countries, 2023
  1. United States8,160
  2. Germany5,066
  3. Spain2,506
  4. Italy1,657
  5. Canada1,645
  6. Netherlands797
  7. Belgium506
  8. Japan363
  9. Australia362
  10. Sweden262
  11. France261
  12. Finland222
  13. South Korea219
  14. Türkiye170
  15. Denmark151

Inflows to all OECD countries by year

12k24k200020032006200920122015201820212023
12k24k2000200420082012201620202023
Data table
200011,653
200110,491
200210,573
200312,926
200415,146
200516,052
200616,861
200714,910
200818,468
200917,391
201017,270
201118,688
201222,346
201322,337
201418,214
201520,396
201619,699
201723,536
201823,087
201923,075
202014,215
202116,955
202219,889
202323,249
Share going to the top destination
35.1%
Destinations recording arrivals
15
Source: OECD, International Migration Database (OECD.ELS.IMD), accessed 24 Oct 2026Data as at 2023

Living abroad

People born in Ghana who live in another country: mid-year estimates of the international migrant stock (UN DESA). Where a destination records citizenship rather than country of birth, its foreign citizens are counted.

Largest destinations, 2024
  1. United States258,358
  2. Nigeria255,531
  3. United Kingdom154,782
  4. Côte d’Ivoire97,313
  5. Italy48,828
  6. Togo47,579
  7. Burkina Faso34,219
  8. Canada26,394
  9. Spain24,178
  10. Benin17,211
  11. Netherlands16,779
  12. Belgium12,780

Living abroad by year

528k1.06M19901995200020052010201520202024
528k1.06M19902000201020202024
Data table
1990344,686
1995361,700
2000445,447
2005606,700
2010718,300
2015846,131
2020963,019
20241,055,494
Living abroad, 2024
1,055,494
Change since 2000
+137.0%
Share living in the largest destination, 2024
24.5%
Source: United Nations, DESA Population Division, International Migrant Stock 2024 (CC BY 3.0 IGO)Data as at 2024

United States

Visas issued to citizens of Ghana by U.S. consulates (fiscal years, October–September) and certified PERM labor certifications.

Non-immigrant visas by class, FY2025
  1. B1/B214,596
  2. F12,692
  3. A2910
  4. F2908
  5. J1663
  6. H4630
  7. C1/D542
  8. H1B539
  9. K1503
  10. J2430

Non-immigrant visas by fiscal year

18k35k201720182019202020212022202320242025
18k35k20172019202120232025
Data table
20179,542
201818,913
201920,425
20208,131
20216,511
202220,551
202335,065
202434,219
202523,645
Immigrant visas by class, FY2025
  1. IR21,453
  2. DV1,234
  3. IR11,034
  4. F11,010
  5. E3918
  6. FX555
  7. IR5435
  8. F4386
Immigrant visas, FY2025
7,674
Certified PERM labor certifications, FY2024 (latest year with citizenship)
331
Source: U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs, monthly visa issuances (public domain); U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC PERM disclosure data (public domain)Data as at FY2025

Green cards and U.S. citizenship

People born in Ghana who became U.S. lawful permanent residents (green cards) or U.S. citizens, and admissions of citizens of Ghana with an I-94 record (DHS, fiscal years).

Green cards by fiscal year

5,43511k2015201620172018201920202021202220232024
5,43511k201520172019202120232024
Data table
20156,190
20166,950
20178,460
20188,390
20198,530
20204,630
20213,940
20225,450
20236,910
202410,870
Green cards by class of admission, FY2024
  1. Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens8,930
  2. Family-sponsored preferences940
  3. Diversity visa lottery460
  4. Employment-based preferences450
  5. Refugees and asylees80
  6. Other classes10
Temporary worker admissions (I-94), FY2024
  1. Specialty occupations (H-1B)1,100
  2. Spouses and children610
  3. Other temporary workers330
  4. Intracompany transferees (L-1)220
  5. Extraordinary ability (O-1, O-2)150
  6. Athletes, artists and entertainers (P)140
Green cards, FY2024 (born in Ghana)
10,870
Naturalizations, FY2024 (born in Ghana)
6,560
I-94 admissions, FY2024 (citizenship)
54,460
Source: U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Office of Homeland Security Statistics, Yearbook of Immigration Statistics 2024 (public domain)Data as at FY2024

United Kingdom

Entry clearance visas issued to nationals of Ghana (Home Office) and students with a permanent address in Ghana (HESA).

Visas issued by group, 2025
  1. Visitor26,312
  2. Study4,886
  3. Work3,847
  4. Family1,778
  5. Other1,106

Visas issued by year

33k67k201020122014201620182020202220242025
33k67k201020132016201920222025
Data table
201021,080
201123,577
201224,186
201321,010
201418,534
201518,876
201617,425
201718,158
201821,840
201927,845
20208,910
202116,297
202235,952
202366,659
202443,071
202537,929
Students at UK universities, 2024/25
5,095
Source: Home Office, Immigration system statistics (year ending June 2026), Open Government Licence v3.0Data as at 2025

Canada

Permits and invitations for citizens of Ghana, by year the permit took effect (IRCC).

YearTFWP workIMP workStudyPermanent residentsExpress Entry invitations
20251953,0204,5801,805500
20242102,7108,1551,615410
20231451,7157,5901,645355
2022357752,7551,245115
2021308301,2901,055215
202015495870550260
2019454801,3751,020230
20180465880895240
20170460940685205
2016046089048060
20151523581537520
Source: IRCC, monthly open data (rounded to the nearest 5). Open Government Licence – CanadaData as at 2025

Australia

Temporary skilled visas (subclass 457 to 2018, then 482) granted to primary applicants who are citizens of Ghana, by financial year ending 30 June (Home Affairs).

Primary visas granted by financial year

1853702005–062007–082009–102011–122013–142015–162017–182019–202021–222023–242025–26
1853702005–062009–102013–142017–182021–222025–26
Data table
2005–0610
2006–0729
2007–0831
2008–0945
2009–1010
2010–117
2011–1268
2012–1351
2013–1414
2014–156
2015–1611
2016–1720
2017–1818
2018–1945
2019–2039
2020–2136
2021–2275
2022–23312
2023–24370
2024–25217
2025–26317
By stream, 2025–26
  1. Core Skills240
  2. Medium-term29
  3. Labour Agreement27
  4. Specialist Skills21
Granted, 2025–26
317
Share of all Australian grants, 2025–26
0.5%
Source: Department of Home Affairs (Australia), BP0014 Temporary Resident (skilled) visas granted, data locked at 30 Sep 2026 (data.gov.au, CC BY)Data as at 2025–26

Japan

Citizens of Ghana living in Japan at the end of each December, by status of residence (Immigration Services Agency of Japan). 2020 and 2021 were published only as database tables.

Foreign residents in Japan

1,7713,5412012201420162018202220242025
1,7713,5412012201420162018202220242025
Data table
20121,729
20131,834
20141,915
20152,005
20162,148
20172,287
20182,341
20192,404
20222,665
20232,857
20243,124
20253,541
By status of residence, December 2025
  1. Permanent Resident1,313
  2. Designated Activities382
  3. Long-Term Resident329
  4. Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services327
  5. Dependent324
  6. Spouse or Child of Japanese National239
  7. Student236
  8. Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident201
  9. Instructor104
  10. Professor20
Residents, December 2025
3,541
In work-related statuses
513
Share in work-related statuses
14.5%
Students
236
Source: Immigration Services Agency of Japan, Statistics on Foreign Residents (在留外国人統計), Table 1, end of December (e-Stat; Government of Japan Standard Terms of Use 2.0)Data as at Dec 2025

Schengen visas in Ghana

Short-stay (C) visa applications at Schengen consulates located in Ghana, 2024. Applicants are mostly, but not only, its citizens.

Schengen stateApplicationsIssuedNot issuedRefusal rate
Netherlands14,4665,6758,39458.0%
France8,4425,0143,19837.9%
Germany8,1656,2621,86322.8%
Spain5,4593,3101,82933.5%
Switzerland4,8502,7562,09443.2%
Denmark4,1091,5152,41758.8%
Norway3,8331,7462,08754.4%
Italy2,5221,1871,32952.7%
Hungary2,3861,72366327.8%
Malta1,11843865358.4%
Czechia68226441861.3%

Applications by year

28k56k2009201020112012201320142015201620172018201920202021202220232024
28k56k200920122015201820212024
Data table
200919,596
201022,148
201124,286
201223,088
201325,798
201427,119
201526,398
201628,436
201731,806
201843,665
201948,873
202010,589
202113,853
202242,124
202345,421
202456,032
Refusal rate, 2024
44.5%
Refusal rate, 2019
42.5%
Source: European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs, visa statistics for consulates (CC BY 4.0)Data as at 2024

Residence permits in Europe

First residence permits issued to citizens of Ghana in EU and EFTA countries, 2025 (Eurostat).

First permits by reason
  1. Family7,047
  2. Education2,592
  3. Work2,165
  4. Other reasons2,156
First permits by country
  1. Germany4,563
  2. Italy2,227
  3. Spain1,846
  4. Netherlands978
  5. Belgium708
  6. France570
  7. Sweden403
  8. Hungary334
  9. Finland262
  10. Ireland232
  11. Denmark205
  12. Serbia205
Work permits by type, 2025
  1. EU Blue Card66
  2. Highly skilled workers (national schemes)170
  3. Researchers79
  4. Other paid activities1,850
EU Blue Cards granted, 2024
185
Citizenships acquired in the EU, 2024
5,878
Students in EU/EFTA tertiary education, 2024
5,822
Refused entry at EU external borders, 2025
360
Valid residence permits, 31 Dec 2025
143,562
Long-term residence permits issued, 2025
5,875
Changed status into work, 2025
1,834
Intra-corporate transferee permits, 2025
15
Seasonal work authorisations, 2024
174
Source: Eurostat (migr_resfirst, migr_resbc11, migr_acq, educ_uoe_mobs02, migr_eirfs, migr_pop1ctz), CC BY 4.0Data as at 2024–2025

National statistics in Europe

Citizens of Ghana in the figures of national statistics offices: residence permits granted in Denmark, immigrations by grounds for settlement in Sweden and immigrants with a non-EU/EFTA nationality by migration motive in the Netherlands; Finland and Austria publish immigration and emigration by citizenship only.

CountryYearAllWorkStudyFamilyProtectionOther or unknown
Denmark2025251120873905
Sweden20252532059110658
CountryYearImmigrationEmigrationNet migration
Finland202517425149
Austria20251297158
Work-related, latest year
  1. Denmark120
  2. Sweden20
Source: Danmarks Statistik, Statistikbanken VAN66 and VAN77M (CC BY 4.0); SCB (Statistics Sweden), Statistikdatabasen TAB1614 and TAB6670 (CC0); CBS (Statistics Netherlands), StatLine 84809NED (CC BY 4.0); Statistics Finland (Tilastokeskus), StatFin 11a8 (CC BY 4.0); Statistik Austria, OGD_bevwan020_AUSSENWAND_100 (CC BY 4.0)Data as at 2025

Germany

Citizens of Ghana living in Germany on 31 December 2025, by residence status in the Central Register of Foreigners (Destatis).

By residence status, 31 Dec 2025
  1. Family reasons13,565
  2. Permanent residence title10,835
  3. Application for a residence title pending8,325
  4. Neither tolerated nor permitted4,785
  5. International law, humanitarian or political reasons4,450
  6. Tolerated stay (Duldung)2,840
  7. EU free movement2,690
  8. Education and training2,115
  9. Special residence rights and national visas2,000
  10. Employment1,470
  11. Permission to reside during the asylum procedure415

Residents in Germany (31 Dec)

27k54k201420152016201720182019202020212022202320242025
27k54k2014201620182020202220242025
Data table
201426,751
201529,590
201632,870
201733,900
201835,305
201937,465
202039,270
202142,070
202245,555
202348,035
202450,455
202553,505
Residents in Germany, 31 Dec 2025
53,495
With a residence title for employment
1,470
Permanent residence title
10,835
Source: Federal Statistical Office of Germany (Destatis), Central Register of Foreigners, 31 December 2025 (reproduction permitted with source)Data as at 31 Dec 2025

Italy

New residence permits issued in Italy to citizens of Ghana, by year and reason, and permits valid on 1 January 2026 (Istat).

New permits by year

3,1226,2432016201720182019202020212022202320242025
3,1226,243201620182020202220242025
Data table
20164,362
20176,243
20184,228
20191,876
20201,151
20212,245
20222,328
20231,880
20241,637
20252,461
New permits by reason, 2025
  1. Family1,347
  2. Asylum and protection720
  3. Work232
  4. Other reasons88
  5. Study74
New permits, 2025
2,461
Valid permits, 1 Jan 2026
42,721
EU long-term residents, 1 Jan 2026
22,574
Source: Istat, residence permits of non-EU citizens: permits issued in the year and valid permits on 1 January (CC BY 4.0)Data as at 2025

Foreign embassies and consulates in Ghana

Countries with an embassy or consulate in Ghana, as recorded in Wikidata.

CountryEmbassiesConsulates-generalConsulates
Algeria1——
Brazil1——
Burkina Faso1——
Chile1——
China1——
Colombia1——
Czechia1——
Côte d’Ivoire1——
France1——
Germany1——
Guinea1——
Hungary1——
Israel1——
Italy1——
Japan1——
Mexico1——
Morocco1——
Netherlands1——
Norway1——
Palestine1——
Peru1——
Russia1——
Saudi Arabia1——
South Korea1——
Spain1——
Suriname1——
Switzerland1——
Türkiye1——
United Arab Emirates1——
Countries
29
Missions
29
Source: Wikidata (CC0)Data as at Oct 2026

Remittances

Money that migrants send home: personal remittances received by Ghana, in current US dollars (World Bank).

Remittances received by year, US$ million

2,4914,9822000200320062009201220152018202120242025
2,4914,982200020052010201520202025
Data table
200032
200146
200244
200365
200482
200599
2006105
2007117
2008126
2009114
2010136
20112,135
20122,155
20131,864
20142,008
20154,982
20162,980
20173,536
20183,521
20194,054
20204,292
20211,956
20222,128
20232,454
20243,027
20252,423
Remittances received, 2025
US$2,423 million
Share of GDP, 2025
2.1%
Average cost of sending US$200 to Ghana, 2023
2.0%
Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators (CC BY 4.0)Data as at 2025

All corridors from Ghana

Destinations with a dedicated page for citizens of this country.

  • Ghana → United States
  • Ghana → Germany
  • Ghana → Netherlands
  • Ghana → Spain
  • Ghana → France
  • Ghana → Italy
  • Ghana → Canada
  • Ghana → Belgium
  • Ghana → Australia
  • Ghana → United Kingdom
Source: OECD, International Migration Database (OECD.ELS.IMD), accessed 24 Oct 2026Data as at 2023

Official data, not advice. Visa Atlas publishes figures from government registers and statistics. It does not assess eligibility or give immigration advice; for advice, consult a regulated adviser. Read more