- Why Ghana May be Target: Ghana is noted for having a bad record when it comes to its citizens overstaying their visas.
- What It Means for You: For ordinary Ghanaians planning a family trip, business visit, or tourism adventure to the U.S., the financial implications may be huge.
- What Can You Do: Check your eligibility and prepare.
If you are a Ghanaian citizen who intends to visit the United States in the near future, be prepared for a policy change that could significantly impact your travel budget.
In early August, the U.S. State Department announced a new pilot program that could force some visa applicants to post a refundable bond of up to $15,000 before being granted a B-1 (business) or B-2 (tourism) visa.
Expected to begin around August 20, 2025, the 12-month initiative is designed to curb visa overstays, one of the long-standing concerns of U.S. immigration authorities. But for many in Ghana and other affected countries, this decision feels more like a blockade than a deterrent.
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Under the pilot program, consular officers will have the discretion to impose a bond of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000, depending on the applicant’s perceived risk of overstaying. However, if you follow all the rules, return home on time, and comply with your visa terms, the bond is refunded in full. But if you overstay? The U.S. government keeps the money, deports you, and may bar you from re-entry for years – possibly permanently.
What does this mean for you?
If Ghana is on the U.S. State Department’s list of “high overstay” countries, you could be asked to post a refundable bond of $5,000, $10,000, or even $15,000 before your visa is approved. This is on top of the regular visa fees, airfare, and travel costs.
For many Ghanaians, coming up with $10,000–$15,000 per person just to be allowed to travel will be unrealistic, especially for families. That could make trips for tourism, family visits, or even business much harder to achieve.
Let that sink in. One wrong move, and you’re not only out thousands of dollars, but you’re effectively shut out.
who’s Affected?
While the State Department has yet to publish the final list of affected countries, the program explicitly targets nationals from places with “high overstay rates” and weak travel vetting systems – with Malawi and Zambia being the first countries to be affected.
Ghana has been previously flagged for high visa overstay percentages, and although improvements have been made, this history could place the country in the crosshairs of the new rule.
“Aliens applying for visas as temporary visitors for business or pleasure and who are nationals of countries identified by the department as having high visa overstay rates, where screening and vetting information is deemed deficient, or offering citizenship by investment, if the alien obtained citizenship with no residency requirement, may be subject to the pilot program,” the notice indicated.
This means citizens from countries with visa waiver agreements (like most EU nations, the UK, and Australia) are exempted. This subsequently means that the burden will fall disproportionately on countries like Ghana.
What It Means for You
For ordinary Ghanaians planning a family trip, business visit, or tourism adventure to the U.S., the financial implications may be huge. A family of four could be required to put down $40,000 or more in bonds just to travel – on top of airfare, accommodation, and visa processing fees.
Even if the bond is refunded, the upfront cost could make U.S. travel virtually inaccessible to middle-and lower-income families. In a country where the average monthly salary is a fraction of that amount, the directive reads like a door closing.
The U.S. Perspective
From Washington’s point of view, the program is intended to act as both a deterrent and a diplomatic pressure tool. It signals to countries that don’t adequately prevent visa overstays: “Fix your systems, or your citizens will pay the price.” It’s harsh, but calculated.
The logic is clear. Overstaying visas costs the U.S. billions in enforcement and undermines the integrity of its legal immigration system. But critics argue this move sacrifices fairness for expedience. It punishes the law-abiding majority for the actions of a few, and it risks souring relations with countries that have historically been U.S. allies.
What Can You Do?
If you’re applying for a B-1 or B-2 visa in the coming year, here are some steps to consider:
- Check your eligibility as soon as the final list of affected countries is released.
- Prepare financially – budget for the bond in addition to other travel costs.
- Demonstrate strong ties to Ghana. Proof of property, steady employment, family obligations, or ongoing education can help reduce the perceived risk of overstaying.
- Explore alternatives if the U.S. is now out of reach; consider destinations in Europe, Asia, or within Africa itself, where entry requirements are more manageable.