Ghana is gradually redeeming her image with regards to illegal migration and abuse of visa conditions as visa issuance by the United States Embassy in Accra sees a significant increase.
The United States Embassy in Accra issued 2,421 non-immigrant visas in July 2019 alone, according to Visa Statistics published on the U.S Department of State website.
Out of the 2,421 non-immigrant visas issued, 1,641 were the most-common B1/B2 visa classes followed by F1 (Full-time Students) with 482 visas.
The number of visas issued by the embassy in July 2019 represents a 56.8% increase compared to 1,544 non-immigrant visas issued in July 2017.
Below is a breakdown of the number of visas issued under each visa class
Diplomats and foreign government officials – A2 – 89
Athletes, amateur and professional – B1 – 1
Temporary visitor for business or pleasure – B1/B2 – 1,641
Transit visa – C1 – 3
Crew members – C1/D – 24
Transit Visa (Diplomats) – C3 – 1
Crew Members – D – 1
Students – academic and language students -F1 – 482
Student dependents – dependent of an F-1 holder – F2 – 22
Employees of a designated international organization – G1 – 4
Employees of a designated international organization – G2 – 36
Employees of a designated international organization – G4 – 7
Specialty occupations in fields requiring highly specialized knowledge – H1B – 8
Information media representative (media, journalists) – I – 5
Exchange visitors – au pairs – J1 – 49
Exchange visitors – children (under age 21) or spouse of a J-1 holder – J2 – 4
Fiancé(e) – K1 – 8
Unmarried Children of K1 holders – K2 – 1
Intra-company transferees – L1 – 2
Foreign nationals with extraordinary ability in sciences, arts, education, business or athletics – O1 – 3
Foreign nationals with extraordinary ability in sciences, arts, education, business or athletics – O2 – 8
Family members of O holders – O3 – 3
Athletes, artists, entertainers – P1 – 1
Athletes, artists, entertainers – P3 – 13
Religious workers – R1 – 5
Currently, the US has imposed visa restrictions on Ghana for refusing to accept the return of 7,000 Ghanaian nationals that it wants to deport. The US embassy in Accra has limited the awarding of visas to certain applicants, such as the domestic staff of diplomats posted to America. The restriction is expected to affect other visa classes should the two countries fail to resolve the issue and this may see a decline in the number of visas issued in the affected categories or their length of validity.
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