Eligibility quiz
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Benefits
Benefits for youBenefits for you
Live in Ghana
You can live in Ghana until the expiry date on your permission, for the purpose stated in it.
Initial permission is normally for up to four years, though many permits are issued for one year.
Travel in and out
You can leave and return to Ghana multiple times while your permission is valid, without getting a Ghana visa for each trip.
How to apply
Applying at a local officeApplying at a local office
Find your immigration office
Find the Ghana Immigration Service office for the area where you live.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Which Ghana Immigration Service office near your city handles Residence Permit (Dependant) applications?”
Download the application form
Download the residence permit form that applies to you from the Ghana Immigration Service forms page.
Download the formFill in the form
Complete the residence permit application form.
Get help with formSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I fill in the Ghana Residence Permit (Dependant) application form?”
Write your application letter
Write a letter asking for a residence permit.
Get letter guidanceSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I write an application letter for a Ghana Residence Permit (Dependant)?”
Gather your documents
Prepare the required documents for the immigration office.
See required documentsPay the fee
Ask the immigration office how much you need to pay and how to pay it, then pay the fee.
Find fee informationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I pay the Ghana Residence Permit (Dependant) application fee?”
Hand in your application
Take your completed form, application letter and required documents to your immigration office. Ask the office how it takes applications.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I submit a Ghana Residence Permit (Dependant) application at the immigration office near your city?”
Sign the bond
Sign the bond form at your closest immigration office.
Find bond informationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I sign the bond form for a Ghana Residence Permit (Dependant) application?”
Wait for the decision
Wait for the immigration service to process your application. Answer any questions and provide any further documents it asks for.
See processing informationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How long does a Ghana Residence Permit (Dependant) application take?”
Follow collection instructions
Follow any instructions from the immigration office to present your passport or collect your permit. Once granted, the permit lets you live in Ghana.
Find collection informationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I collect an approved Ghana Residence Permit (Dependant)?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Marriage certificate *
Provide a copy of your marriage certificate. Ghana Immigration Service says spouses must have been married for more than four years; it does not list a separate qualifying route for unmarried partners.
* Only if you are married.
Considerations
Things to think aboutThings to think about
Permission conditions and renewal
Follow your permission’s conditions; work, business, trade or professional practice requires permission to work in it or separate work authorisation.
Before it expires, leave Ghana or get further permission; staying after expiry can lead to a penalty.
Paying a penalty does not renew your permission.
Permission can end
Your permission expires unless extended; it can be cancelled with notice for fraud, hiding facts, other illegal practices or breaking its conditions.
Cancellation also affects a spouse whose permission came from yours and dependants who are not Ghanaian citizens.
After cancellation, you must leave Ghana and may be removed and barred from returning temporarily or permanently.
Discuss
Online communitiesOnline communities
Ghana immigration services
Facebook group for people living in Ghana interested in Ghanaian visas
Join on FacebookExpatriates in Ghana (Ghana Life)
English Facebook group for people living in Ghana interested in Ghanaian local life
Join on FacebookExpatriates in Ghana (Ghana Expats)
English Facebook group for people living in Ghana interested in Ghanaian local life
Request to joinConsultation
Talk to a professionalTalk to a professional
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