Eligibility quiz
Do you plan to live in Ghana for a long period in retirement?
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 responsible for the place where you live.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Which Ghana Immigration Service office handles residence permit applications for your city?”
Download the application form
Download the Application Form for Issue or Renewal of Residence Permit for Foreign Nationals. If you are an African national, use the corresponding form for African nationals.
Download the formFill in the form
Fill in the form to apply for a new residence permit, rather than a renewal.
See how to applySearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I fill in the Ghana Immigration Service residence permit application form for retirement?”
Gather your documents
Prepare the documents the immigration office asks for.
See required documentsPay the fee
Ask the immigration office how to pay the applicable fee, then pay it as directed. Keep the payment evidence for your application.
Find fee payment instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I pay the Ghana Immigration Service residence permit application fee?”
Hand in your application
Submit your completed form, payment evidence and supporting documents to the immigration office responsible for where you live. Ask the office how to hand them in.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I submit a Ghana Immigration Service residence permit application at the office for your city?”
Wait for the decision
Wait for the immigration office to decide. Give it any extra information it asks for and attend an interview or verification if requested.
See how long it takesSearches DuckDuckGo for “How long does a Ghana Immigration Service residence permit application take?”
Receive your permit
Complete any steps the immigration office asks for to issue your permit, and keep it. It lets you live in Ghana for the stated period and travel in and out while it is valid.
Find permit issuance stepsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I receive my Ghana Immigration Service residence permit after approval?”
Apply for an extension
Before your permit expires, apply for an extension using the residence permit renewal form and show that you followed the conditions of your earlier permit. If granted, the extension lets you continue living in Ghana for its stated period.
Find renewal instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I renew a Ghana Immigration Service residence permit?”
Documents needed
Required to applyRequired to apply
Proof of funds
Provide evidence that you can support yourself, such as records of your pension, savings or other passive income. Ask your immigration office what evidence it needs; there is no published required format or minimum amount for retirement applications.
Your passport
Provide your passport. If the immigration office asks, also provide documents showing your lawful status or where you intend to live in Ghana.
Application form
Use the Ghana Immigration Service application form for the issue or renewal of a residence permit for foreign nationals. If you are an African national, use the African-nationals form instead.
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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