Ghana Immigration Fees 2026: What is the Cost of Immigration Services in Ghana?

What is the cost of Immigration services in Ghana? The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) is the principal source for all immigration services in Ghana in accordance with the Immigration law. GIS provides various services including visa on arrival, work permit, residence permit, visa extension, cancellation of residence permits and transit visa, among many other services.

Quick answer: how much does immigration service cost in Ghana?

The cost of immigration services in Ghana depends on the type of application, the applicant’s nationality category, whether the application is fresh or a renewal, and whether penalties or express processing fees apply. For companies employing expatriates, the most important cost items are usually the work and residence permit fee, residence permit renewal fee, GIPC or immigrant quota-related residence permit fee, dependant permit fee, alien identity card, medical examination, supporting documentation, tax clearance, audited accounts, and any applicable penalties.

According to the Ghana Immigration Service revised fees and charges, the official fee for a Residence Permit – Work Permit [Companies] is US$194 for holders of foreign passports with Ghanaian parentage or spouse, US$647 for ECOWAS nationals, and US$1,293 for other nationals. Other permit categories have different fees, so companies should confirm the correct category before payment.

Why Ghana immigration fees matter for employers and expatriates

Immigration compliance is a business risk issue. A foreign national who intends to live and work in Ghana must obtain the appropriate immigration authorisation. For employers, the wrong permit category, late renewal, expired residence permit or employment of a foreign national without the correct authorisation can lead to penalties, delays, operational disruption and reputational risk.

This guide is designed to help foreign investors, Ghanaian business owners, expatriates, manufacturers, importers/exporters and foreign-owned companies understand the main Ghana Immigration Service fees and budget properly for immigration applications in Ghana.

Official GIS fees vs professional service fees

When budgeting for immigration services in Ghana, separate the cost into three broad categories. First, there are official government fees payable to Ghana Immigration Service or other public authorities. Second, there are supporting costs such as medical examination, police reports, notarisation, translations, passport photographs, courier/logistics, tax clearance and company documents. Third, there are professional service fees payable to an immigration consultant, law firm or advisory firm assisting with the process.

The official fees in this article are based on the Ghana Immigration Service revised fees and charges. Professional fees are not included because they depend on the scope of work, urgency, number of applicants, complexity of the company structure and the compliance status of the employer.

How to read the Ghana Immigration Service fee table

The Ghana Immigration Service fee schedule groups applicants into different categories. The common categories are holders of foreign passports with Ghanaian parentage or spouse, ECOWAS nationals, and other nationals. In some cases, fees are stated in Ghana cedis. In other cases, fees are stated in US dollars. Where fees are quoted in foreign currency, payment may be made in the cedi equivalent or as directed by the relevant GIS payment process.

Because the amount payable may depend on the applicant’s nationality, relationship to Ghana, permit type and the specific service requested, companies should avoid relying on an old fee table or informal online estimates.

Cost of Immigration Services – Ghana Immigration Service fees in 2026

The table below highlights official fees that are most relevant to employers, expatriates, investors and foreign-owned companies.

Source: Ghana Immigration Service Circular — “Revision of Fees and Charges” (Ref. GIS/ADM/080/VOL.VI), dated 10th February 2026, issued under the Fees and Charges (Miscellaneous Provisions) Regulations, 2025 (L.I. 2512). Fees take effect from 2nd March, 2026.

GHANA IMMIGRATION SERVICE FEES AND CHARGES — NEW FEES APPROVED (2025) L.I. 2512 Effective 2nd March, 2026 (per GIS Circular Ref. GIS/ADM/080/VOL.VI, 10th February 2026)
No.	Revenue Item	Holders of Foreign Passport with Ghanaian Parentage or Spouse	ECOWAS National	Other Nationals
1	Residence Permit – Student	GHS 129.00	GHS 194.00	GHC 259
2	Residence Permit – Work Permit (Missionaries, NGOs, etc.)	$194	$388	$388
3	Residence Permit (GIPC Automatic Quota)	$194	$388	$388
4	Residence Permit (Immigrant Quota)	$194	$500	$647
5	Residence Permit (Dependant)	GHS 194.00	GHS 259.00	GHS 388.00
6	Residence Permit (Shareholders)	–	GHS 2,000.00	–
7	Residence Permit – Work Permit (Companies)	$194	$647	$1,293
8	Aliens Identity Card	GHC 39.00	$40	$40
9	Ashore Pass Extension	–	–	GHS 65.00
10	Carrier Liability (Penalty)	–	$5,000	$5,000
11	Concessionary Visa Fee	$97		$100
12	Confirmation of Departure / Arrival	GHS 129.00	GHS 129.00	GHS 129.00
13	EEV Permit / Emergency Visa	$200	–	$200
14	EEV (Returning Resident)	GHS 129.00	–	GHS 259.00
15	Endorsement of Foreign PPT (Passport)	GHS 200.00	GHS 200.00	GHS 200.00
16	Expired Resident Permit (Ghana Immigration Work Permit)	GHC 36.00	$75	$150
17	Expired Resident Permit / Month (Penalty)	GHS 39.00	GHS 200.00	GHS 300.00
18	Expired Visitor’s Permit / Month (Penalty)	GHS 52.00	GHS 200.00	GHS 300.00
19	Extension of Visitor’s Permit / Month	GHS 26.00	GHS 39.00	GHS 65.00
20	Free Zone Resident Permit (New) – 1st Year	$240	$240	$240
21	Free Zone Renewal R/P – 2nd Year	$240	$240	$240
22	Free Zone Renewal R/P – 3rd Year	$360	$360	$360
23	Free Zone Renewal R/P – 4th Year	$360	$360	$360
24	Free Zone Renewal R/P – 5th Year	$600	$600	$600
25	Illegal Employment (Penalty – Company)		$2,500	$2,500
26	Illegal Employment (Penalty – Individual)		GHS 2,500.00	$1,000
27	Indefinite (Spouse of Ghanaians)	GHS 5,000.00	GHS 5,000.00	GHS 5,000.00
28	Indefinite Resident Permit		GHS 10,000.00	$18,000
29	Indefinite Resident Permit (Non-African and Diaspora)			GHS 18,000.00
30	Non-Submission of Returns / Company (Penalty)	GHS 1,293.00	GHS 2,000.00	GHS 2,000.00
31	Non-Submission of Returns / Individual (Penalty)		GHS 1,000.00	GHS 1,000.00
32	Permanent Resident Form	GHS 65.00	GHS 65.00	GHS 65.00
33	Prohibited Area Permit		GHS 500.00	GHS 500.00
34	Re-Entry Permit (Multiple)	$129		$194
35	Re-Entry Permit (Single)	$65		$100
36	Right of Abode	GHS 1,940.00		GHS 3,879.00
37	Rotators Permit up to 6 Months		$647	$647
38	Summary Visa – The Gambia and Kenya (foreigners in Ghana wishing to visit The Gambia & Kenya: Headquarters Only)	$65	$65	$65
39	Transfer of Permit into New PPT (Passport)	GHS 52.00	GHS 65.00	GHS 65.00
40	Transit Permit
41	E-Permit
42	Domestic Assistance (Work and Residence Permit)	$65		$65
	Verification of Documents
43	Visa	$388	$388	$388
44	E-Visa
45	Passport / Seafarer / Refugee Documents	$25	$25	$25
46	Wet / Dry Seal Stamps	GHS 100.00	GHS 100.00	GHS 100.00
47	Permits	GHS 250.00	GHS 250.00	$50
48	Currency (Per note of any origin)	GHS 100.00	GHS 100.00	GHS 100.00
49	Signature	GHS 75.00	GHS 75.00	GHS 75.00
50	Cheque (Per Leaflet)	GHS 50.00	GHS 50.00	GHS 50.00
51	ID Cards	$25	$25	$25
52	Letterhead	GHS 50.00	GHS 50.00	GHS 50.00
53	Certificates	GHS 25.00	$25	GHS 50.00
	Premium Express Service Digital Portal
54	Resident Permit	GHS 75.00	GHS 75.00	GHS 75.00
55	Work Permit	$200	$200	$200
56	Visa on Arrival	$200	$200	$200
57	E-Visa	$300 / $260	–	$300 / $260

 

Medical examination Fees: Revised fees

• Fresh Residence Permit – 1 year – $250
• Renewal of Residence Permit 1 year – $150
• Renewal of Residence Permit 1 year – 3 years – $250
• Renewal of Residence Permit 4 years – 5 years – $250
• Indefinite Residence Permit – $250
• Naturalization – $250
• Right of Abode for other African descents in the Diaspora – $250

Penalties and compliance costs employers should avoid

The cheapest immigration strategy is compliance before expiry. Some of the most expensive immigration costs arise not from the initial application but from default, expired permits, illegal employment or failure to submit required returns.

Under the 2026 fee schedule, illegal employment attracts a penalty of US$2,500 for a company. For individuals, the schedule lists GHS2,500 for ECOWAS nationals and US$1,000 for other nationals. The schedule also includes penalties for non-submission of returns, expired residence permits and expired visitor permits.

Documents that can affect the total cost of immigration applications in Ghana

The cost of a work or residence permit application can increase if the company’s supporting documents are not ready. For company work and residence permits, GIS may require company registration documents, GIPC registration certificate where applicable, current tax clearance certificate, audited accounts, medical report, police report, marriage certificate where applicable and other supporting documents depending on the applicant’s situation.

Where documents are expired, incomplete or inconsistent, the applicant may incur additional costs for corrections, notarisation, replacement documents, tax clearance updates, audited accounts, translations, courier services or re-filing.

Example cost scenarios

Example 1 – A foreign-owned company employing an expatriate classified as an “other national” under the Residence Permit – Work Permit category should budget for the official GIS fee of US$1,293, plus supporting costs and professional service fees.

Also another example – A company that allows a residence permit to expire may pay both the normal renewal-related costs and monthly expired permit penalty fee of USD 150 per month. This is why early renewal is usually cheaper and safer than late renewal.

How Firmus Advisory Ltd can help

Firmus Advisory Ltd supports foreign investors, Ghanaian businesses and expatriates with immigration services in Ghana. Our team helps you identify the right immigration route, prepare the required documents, estimate official fees, avoid common errors, track deadlines and manage filings with the relevant authorities.

If you need help with a work permit, residence permit, renewal, dependant permit, visa extension, GIPC quota residence permit or immigration compliance audit, contact Firmus Advisory Ltd for a practical review of your case before you make payment or submit your application.

Frequently asked questions on Ghana immigration fees

How much does a Ghana work permit cost in 2026?

For the Residence Permit – Work Permit [Companies] category, the revised GIS fee schedule lists US$194 for holders of foreign passports with Ghanaian parentage or spouse, US$647 for ECOWAS nationals and US$1,293 for other nationals.

How much is a GIPC automatic quota residence permit in Ghana?

The 2026 fee schedule lists the Residence Permit – GIPC Automatic Quota fee as US$194 for holders of foreign passports with Ghanaian parentage or spouse, US$388 for ECOWAS nationals and US$388 for other nationals.

How much is an immigrant quota residence permit in Ghana?

The 2026 fee schedule lists US$194 for holders of foreign passports with Ghanaian parentage or spouse, US$500 for ECOWAS nationals and US$647 for other nationals.

How much is a dependant residence permit in Ghana?

The 2026 fee schedule lists GHS194 for holders of foreign passports with Ghanaian parentage or spouse, GHS259 for ECOWAS nationals and GHS388 for other nationals.

What is the penalty for illegal employment of a foreign national in Ghana?

The schedule lists illegal employment penalty for a company as US$2,500. It also lists penalties for individuals, depending on category. Companies should ensure foreign employees have the correct work and residence authorisation before employment.

Do ECOWAS nationals pay the same immigration fees as other nationals?

Not always. The GIS fee schedule has separate columns for ECOWAS nationals and other nationals. Some fees are the same, but others differ significantly.

What documents are required for a company work and residence permit?

Requirements commonly include company registration documents, GIPC certificate where applicable, tax clearance certificate, audited accounts, medical report, police report, marriage certificate if applicable and other supporting documents. Requirements should be confirmed based on the specific application.

Can a foreigner work in Ghana with only a visitor visa?

No. A visitor visa does not authorise employment. A foreign national who will work in Ghana should obtain the appropriate work and residence authorisation.

How can Firmus Advisory help with Ghana immigration services?

Firmus Advisory assists with work permits, residence permits, renewals, GIPC quota-related applications, dependant permits, visa extensions, document review, fee estimation and immigration compliance support for employers and expatriates in Ghana.