Eligibility quiz
Will you work for an enterprise in Ghana?
Benefits
Benefits for youBenefits for you
Live in Ghana
You can live in Ghana for the time and purpose stated on your residence permit.
A permit can last up to four years.pdf) at first and up to eight years in total.
Many are issued for one year, but the immigration officer decides the actual period.
Work in Ghana
You can work in Ghana in the job, business or profession your work permission specifies.
It normally names your employer and job.
Travel in and out
While your residence permit is valid, you can leave and re-enter Ghana repeatedly without getting a visa for each trip.
How to apply
Applying at a local officeApplying at a local office
Download the registration form
If the enterprise is not yet registered with the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre, download its investor registration form. The enterprise handles this registration for its employee and the employee’s family.
Download the formFill in the form
Have the enterprise complete the investor registration form if it is not already registered.
Find form instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How does an enterprise fill in the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre investor registration form?”
Gather your documents
Prepare the required documents for the registration, quota request and permit application.
See required documentsSubmit the registration application
Have the enterprise submit its registration application and supporting documents to the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre, and pay the fee as directed. Qualifying applications can also be submitted online through the expedited service.
Find registration instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How does an enterprise submit a Ghana Investment Promotion Centre investor registration application?”
Wait for registration
Wait for the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre to review the application and respond. Provide any further information it requests.
Find registration informationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How long does Ghana Investment Promotion Centre investor registration take?”
Request a quota place
Have the registered enterprise request a quota place from the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre for the employee and pay as directed. If it needs a place beyond its automatic quota, the enterprise must explain why.
Find quota instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How does an enterprise request a Ghana Investment Promotion Centre immigrant quota place?”
Wait for quota approval
Wait for the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre to respond to the quota request. Provide any further information it asks for and keep the approval for the permit application.
Find quota informationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How long does Ghana Investment Promotion Centre immigrant quota approval take?”
Travel to Ghana
If you are outside Ghana, travel to Ghana and be admitted lawfully before applying for the permit. If the application is for your child, your child must also be admitted lawfully.
Find entry informationSearches DuckDuckGo for “What do I need to enter Ghana before applying for a work and residence permit?”
Find your immigration office
Find the Ghana Immigration Service command serving the place where you live or where the enterprise operates.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Which Ghana Immigration Service office serves your city for a work and residence permit?”
Download the permit form
Download the Application Form for Issue or Renewal of Residence Permit for Foreign Nationals from the Ghana Immigration Service.
Download the formFill in the form
Complete the residence permit form for yourself or your child. For an employee’s work-and-residence permit, the employer also prepares a letter applying on the employee’s behalf.
Find form instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I fill in the Ghana Immigration Service work and residence permit application form?”
Get the medical report
Attend the Ghana Immigration Service Clinic in Accra for the medical examination required for the permit application.
Find medical instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I get a Ghana Immigration Service clinic medical report for a work and residence permit?”
Hand in the application
Bring the completed application, supporting documents and passport to the Ghana Immigration Service command serving your home or the enterprise. If you are applying for your child, bring your child’s application and passport.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I submit a Ghana Immigration Service work and residence permit application at the office serving your city?”
Pay the permit fee
Pay the applicable Ghana Immigration Service fee using the payment method the service directs.
Find payment instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I pay the Ghana Immigration Service work and residence permit fee?”
Wait for the decision
Wait for the Ghana Immigration Service to decide the application. Attend any further appointments and provide any information or passport requested.
Find processing informationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How long does a Ghana Immigration Service work and residence permit application take?”
Collect the permit
After approval, collect the permit and passport as directed. The employee can then work within the permission granted; an approved family residence permit allows the family member to live in Ghana.
Find collection instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I collect a Ghana Immigration Service work and residence permit after approval?”
Documents needed
Required to applyRequired to apply
Your CV
Provide your CV or résumé for the quota request and permit application.
Employment offer or contract
Provide your offer letter, appointment letter or employment contract for your position. Include the employment contract with the GIPC quota request where applicable.
Application letters
Your company should provide a letter applying for your permit on your behalf, addressed to the Comptroller-General of Immigration. For the quota request, it should also provide a cover letter to the GIPC CEO naming you and your position.
Business registration documents
Provide your company’s certificate of incorporation or registration, certificate to commence business and business code.
Company tax clearance
Provide your company’s current tax-clearance certificate.
Copy of your passport
Provide a copy of the page showing your photo and personal details. You must also submit your passport as instructed by the immigration office.
Non-citizen ID card
Provide your non-citizen identification card with your permit application.
Passport photos
Provide two recent passport photos. They must be no more than six months old.
Police report
Provide a police report from the country you come from.
Application forms
Complete the GIPC investor registration form for your enterprise. For your permit, complete the GIS application form for the issue or renewal of a residence permit for foreign nationals.
Company constitution
Provide your company’s constitution, regulations, articles or memorandum, as applicable to your company.
GIPC registration certificate
Provide your company’s Ghana Investment Promotion Centre registration certificate with your permit application.
Quota approval
Provide your company’s GIPC quota approval or supporting certificate with your permit application.
Company audited accounts
Provide your company’s audited accounts for the previous year.
Company annual report
Provide your company’s annual report.
Medical report
Provide your medical report from the Ghana Immigration Clinic in Accra.
Departure confirmation letter
Provide the Ghana Immigration Service confirmation-of-departure letter with your GIPC quota request.
Qualification certificates *
Provide your professional and educational certificates relevant to your position.
* Only if your qualifications are relevant to your position.
Previous residence permit *
Provide a copy of your previous residence permit.
* Only if you previously held a residence permit.
Power of attorney *
Provide the power of attorney for the external company as part of its GIPC registration.
* Only if your company is an external company.
Company registrar form *
Provide the applicable Form 3 or Form 20 for your company.
* Only if your company has a Registrar of Companies Form 3 or Form 20.
Company change profile *
Provide your company’s change profile as part of its GIPC registration.
* Only if your company has a change profile.
Beneficial ownership profile *
Provide your company’s beneficial ownership profile as part of its GIPC registration.
* Only if a beneficial ownership profile applies to your company.
Bank equity letter *
Provide the Bank of Ghana letter confirming your company’s investment capital as part of its GIPC registration.
* Only if a Bank of Ghana equity letter applies to your investment.
Customs import documents *
Provide the customs documents for the goods imported for your investment as part of your company’s GIPC registration.
* Only if customs import documents apply to your investment.
Interior approval letter *
Provide the approval letter from the Ministry of the Interior.
* Only if your permit category requires Ministry of the Interior approval.
Considerations
Things to think aboutThings to think about
Permit conditions and renewal
You must keep to the purpose and conditions of your permission.
You need written consent to work for another employer or take on another paid job, business or profession.
Renew before expiry: an expired permit brings a monthly penalty.
Permission can end
Your permission ends.pdf) when its stated period or the basis for it ends.
It may also be cancelled if you breach its conditions or face other immigration enforcement.
It does not become permanent automatically.
Discuss
Online communitiesOnline communities
Expats in Ghana
English Facebook group for people living in Ghana interested in Ghanaian visas
Join on FacebookGhana 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 FacebookConsultation
Talk to a professionalTalk to a professional
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