GHANAIANS TO PAY EXTRA $250 FOR U.S. VISA UNDER NEW POLICY

Ghanaians applying for U.S. non-immigrant visas will now face an additional $250 fee, following a new policy introduced by the United States government.

The fee, described as a visa integrity surcharge, applies to various categories including tourist, student, exchange, and work visas.

This new charge pushes the total cost of a typical U.S. visa application for Ghanaians closer to $500, excluding other expenses such as travel, documentation, and appointment-related costs.

According to a report by Independent.co.uk, which confirms that the recently announced $250 visa integrity fee will apply to all non-immigrant visa holders from Ghana and other countries not part of the U.S. Visa Waiver Program. This includes tourists, students, and temporary workers.

The fee will not apply to travellers using ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorisation) — an option available mainly to citizens of countries like the UK, Australia, Japan, and Singapore, who qualify for visa-free short-term travel to the U.S.

In addition to regular visa fees, the U.S. has also increased the Form I-94 fee — required for tracking arrivals and departures — from $6 to $24, adding to the overall cost burden.

The new $250 charge is part of Section 10007 of a broader immigration reform law. It is non-waivable and non-reducible under any circumstances.