You have either been part or will be part of thousands of Ghanaians who apply for a US visa every month. You must follow the right steps on how to apply for US Visa in Ghana for a smooth application process.
Table of Contents
Steps to Apply For US Visa In Ghana:
- Register at the US Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs Visa Website
- Accomplish The Visa DS-160 Form
- Pay The Visa Application Fee
- Confirm Payment
- Book Your Interview Appointment Date
- Attend Your Interview At The US Embassy
Of course, there have been calls from many well-meaning Ghanaians for the government and authorities to look into the unwarranted refusal of the majority of Ghanaians by the US Embassy who have the required documents and resources to travel.
Why are several Ghanaians losing hope from taking part in the American dream?
Well, maybe it’s the process. Are you sure you followed the laid down procedure and followed the due process? If you don’t have answers to these pressing questions, you’re in good hands. What are friends for? I’m here to help you.
Let’s dive in.
How To Apply For A US Visa in Ghana
1. Register at the US Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs Visa Website
The beginning of the process is as important as the end.
To start the process, you need to register and create an account at the US Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs website.
It will take a few minutes to do that. If you are traveling with other people, you can register with your group under one account.
There are so my ways you can stay updated on the progress of your application. You can keep track of your application, check for updates, notifications, check for available interview dates and verify all payments on this same portal.
Before you proceed, it is important to state that this guide provides steps to a B1/B2 US Visa.
A B1/B2 Visa is a form of Visa issued to individuals wishing to visit the US for either tourist travel or pleasure, friends or relatives visit, conferences, medical treatment, sports event, or for cultural purposes.
Please confirm whether or not you need to apply for a visa before you proceed.
For Ghanaian nationals or citizens of any other Visa Waiver Program participating country or people who already hold a valid US visa, you may not need to apply for a new US visa altogether. If you however need to apply for a nonimmigrant visa, kindly continue reading
Steps To Register
- Click on the button that has the inscription, “New Application/Schedule Appointment” on the application portal. Select the following after:
- Visa Type: Nonimmigrant Visa
- Visa Category: Business/Tourism
- Visa Class: B1/B2
- Fill in sheet for personal data
- Select how you would want to receive your passport
Note: Always remember to “Save” your information before you proceed to the next steps. Once you hit the “submit” button, you can no longer make changes to your application form.
So always be sure the information you’ve provided is correct, accurate and factual before you submit it. Double-check for errors and misspellings
2. Accomplish The Visa DS-160 Form
All applicants are expected to accomplish the DS-160 Form which is for non-immigrant visa applicants who desire to tour, work, or visit relatives.
The form is a mixture of personal details, travel details, and questions regarding work. You will need to answer every one of them before you can proceed.
If in case you can’t provide accurate or factual information at the spot, just save your application and return to it once you’ve cross-checked the data you need to input.
The next thing is to upload a 2 x 2 photo of yourself with a white background – taken at least within six months before the application.
Click here to get specifications from the US embassy on the digital photo. Note that the US Embassy no longer accepts ID Photos taken with glasses, so ensure to adjust to that accordingly.
Finally, do print the DS-160 Form, for it is one of the required documents.
3. Pay The Visa Application Fee
Currently, the standard tourist visa costs $160 which you have to prepare to pay to proceed with the application.
Whether you get approved or denied, this is a non-refundable fee that ought to be paid either through OTC (Over-the-counter) deposit or online.
Over-the-counter Payments: First, download and present the visa fee deposit slip to the bank while making payment.
Ensure to make payment within the expected time frame because these deposit slips do have an expiring date. You wouldn’t be able to choose an interview date if you don’t do so.
To pay your visa fee, read the details of the Bank and Payment Options page. The page explains how to make your visa fee payment. Remember to keep your receipt number to book your visa appointment.
Online transaction: You can as well make payment online. After making payment, you will be given a reference number to process your payment.
As soon as payment has gone through, you will receive an email message to confirm your payment. You will need to print this document as part of your application as well.
For more information regarding this step, visit the visa fee page lists. You will have more information on the visa type and correlating visa fees in US dollars and native currency.
4. Confirm Payment
After you are done making the visa payment, key in your receipt number in this weblink. Once you’ve confirmed your payment, you have to wait for a minimum of four hours before booking your appointment.
5, Book Your Interview Appointment Date
You are almost set to schedule your visa appointment! To begin, you will need to create a profile.
When through, click on New User to complete all fields and to create a password. Once you are on the portal, you will see your personal dashboard on the left-hand side.
Click on Schedule Appointment to start the process for scheduling your appointment. For each application you schedule, you will need the following:
- Appointment confirmation
- Soft copy of 2 x 2 photograph
- The applicant’s passport number
- Include previous and current passports
- The receipt number from GT Bank receipt.
- The ten digits derived from the applicant’s DS-160 confirmation page
Here is a list of other supporting documents (not required but necessary to go along with them)
- Sample Itinerary
- Bank certificate
- Income Tax Return
- Certificate of employment
- Documents of past visit, or visa to the US
As you go through this step, you will be able to select your visa type, enter your personal data, select your document delivery location, confirm your visa payment pattern, and finally schedule your appointment.
Make sure you visit the Schedule My Appointment page for the necessary documentation required for your appointment.
Just like most Embassies, the US Embassy expect applicants to provide documentation to serve as evidence of ties and financial weight among others. Note that all documents have to be original copies, except otherwise stated.
6. Attend Your Interview At The US Embassy
Visit the US Embassy on the date and time of your interview to continue the process. Most of the questions will revolve around the information you provided while filling your application form.
So be mindful of whatever you input in it. During the day of your interview, don’t go to the Embassy with your phone, tablets and any other electronic gadget.
They are prohibited and as you know, they can be a distraction. You have to focus and put in your best.
What’s Next?
Once your visa has been approved, it is time to plan your trip to your dreamland! Make sure you pre-book an Airport transfer first, for Airports in major US cities can have long taxi lines.
Avoid any form of hassle by booking your Airport transfer ahead of time. Now, you can move to the land of endless opportunities
Welcome to America!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do I know if my visa is approved?
Check the Status of a Visa Application
For nonimmigrant visas, call 1-603-334-0888. Or use the Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC).
How do I answer visa status questions?
How should I answer the visa question? You should answer the question in an honest, direct, clear, concise and confident manner. If you are nervous or unsure, the employer will pick up on these signals and may not be able to stay focused on your skills and qualifications. Avoid excessive detail.
What are the 4 types of visa?
Probably one of the four main types: tourist, immigration, student, or work visas.
How many days will it take to get passport after visa approval?
It takes around 2-3 calendar days after the interview to get the passport and visa delivered.
What happens after U.S. visa interview?
At the end of your immigrant visa interview at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate, the consular officer will inform you whether your visa application is approved or denied. Visa approval – When approved, you will be informed how and when your passport and visa will be returned to you.