Ghanaians applying for U.S. non-immigrant visas — including tourist, student, exchange, and work categories — will now pay an additional $250 visa integrity surcharge, following a new policy introduced by the United States government.
This new charge raises the total cost of a U.S. visa application for Ghanaians to nearly $500, excluding other expenses such as documentation, travel, and appointment fees.
According to a report by Independent.co.uk, the surcharge applies to all non-immigrant visa applicants from countries outside the U.S. Visa Waiver Program, including Ghana.
Travellers using ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorisation), available to countries like the UK, Japan, and Australia, are exempt.
In addition, the Form I-94 fee, used to track arrivals and departures, has increased from $6 to $24, further adding to the cost burden. The new $250 fee is mandatory, non-waivable, and only refundable if visa holders strictly comply with U.S. immigration rules, such as exiting within five days after visa expiry or obtaining legal permanent residency.
Violations — including unauthorised employment — will result in forfeiture of the surcharge.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security confirmed that while the system to collect the fee is still being set up, the policy will be enforced within the current fiscal year.
A spokesperson described the move as part of efforts to “restore integrity to the U.S. immigration system,” with the fee reviewed annually for inflation adjustments.
Meanwhile, travellers from over 40 visa-waiver countries — such as Germany, the UK, and Japan — remain exempt from this fee for short visits under 90 days, although the cost of ESTA applications is set to rise from $21 to $40.
With nearly 11 million non-immigrant visas issued in 2024, Africans, Asians, and Latin Americans will be most affected by this new charge.
For Ghanaian students, tourists, and workers, the additional $250 adds another financial hurdle to an already expensive and stressful visa application process.
