A recent U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) report reveals that over 10% of Ghanaians issued visas in 2023 overstayed their permitted durations, raising concerns about visa compliance.
The report, covering the period from October 2022 to September 2023, indicates that out of 25,454 B1/B2 visas (for business and tourism) issued to Ghanaians, 1,910 individuals overstayed, reflecting a 7.50% overstay rate. Additionally, 537 of the 2,559 F, M, and J visas (issued to students and exchange visitors) resulted in overstays, accounting for a substantial 21% rate.
Ghana’s overall overstay rate has been rising, with the 2023 figures showing a marked increase compared to 2019, when the overstay rate for B1/B2 visas was 5.09%, and student visa overstays stood at 12.7%.
The report highlights Ghana’s challenges in maintaining visa compliance, placing it among African countries with significant overstay issues. For comparison, Nigeria recorded 6,000 overstays from 84,051 B1/B2 visas, representing a 7.14% abuse rate, while its student visa overstay rate was 15.60%, lower than Ghana’s.
CBP categorizes overstays into “Suspected In-Country Overstays,” where no departure is recorded, and “Out-of-Country Overstays,” involving individuals who leave after their visa expiry. The complexities of tracking overstays, including possible extensions or status changes, are also acknowledged in the report.
Other African nations, including Mali, Ivory Coast, and Togo, recorded varying overstay rates, but Ghana’s numbers reflect a notable increase in visa violations compared to previous years.