Ghana’s Ambassador to the United States, Emmanuel Victor Smith, explained that the US decision to temporarily stop processing immigrant visas does not affect non-immigrant visas for Ghanaians.
This explanation should alleviate concerns for Ghanaians planning short trips to the US for business or tourism, as B1-B2 visas are not affected by the suspension.
This announcement comes after the US government stated it would temporarily halt immigrant visa processing for nationals of 75 countries, including Ghana and Nigeria, as part of a review of its visa screening procedures under long-standing “public charge” rules.
The US State Department says the pause will start January 21 and last indefinitely while consular officers reassess whether visa applicants may become overly reliant on US public welfare programs.
In a Facebook post on Thursday, January 15, 2026, Ambassador Smith elaborated that the directive pertains solely to immigrant visas.
“The US State Department confirms that B1-B2 visas will continue. Only immigrant visas are being paused,” he stated.
The countries affected encompass various regions, including Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Caribbean, and include Ghana, Nigeria, Somalia, Russia, Afghanistan, Brazil, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Thailand, and Yemen, among others.
