Ghana entry requirements for France passport holders

Checked daily · Updated May 17, 2026·View sources
Visa on arrival
Max stay
No fixed limit
Passport validity
6 months
Beyond entry date
Return ticket
Required
Or onward travel proof
Proof of funds
Recommended
May be checked

French passport holders can get a visa on arrival at Kotoka International Airport in Accra. No advance application needed — just bring the right documents and pay the fee. As of 2026, this is the standard entry method for tourism and short business trips.

Entry requirements

RequirementDetailsStatus
Visa on arrival
Visa on arrival at Kotoka International Airport
Get your visa on arrival at Accra's Kotoka International Airport. Have $150 USD in cash ready for the single-entry visa fee — the immigration counter does not accept cards. You also need two passport-sized photos and a printed copy of your hotel booking.Check GIS portalRequired
Valid passport
Must have at least 6 months validity
Your passport needs at least 6 months of remaining validity from your date of entry into Ghana. Airlines at Charles de Gaulle and Orly check this before boarding — they will deny you if your passport expires sooner.Required
Return or onward ticket
Required for entry
Immigration officers at Kotoka ask for a return or onward ticket before stamping you in. Have a printed copy of your flight itinerary ready — showing a flight out of Ghana within your visa validity.Required
Proof of accommodation
Hotel booking or host invitation letter
Carry a printed hotel reservation or a letter of invitation from your host in Ghana. Immigration may ask for this at the visa-on-arrival counter — a booking confirmation on your phone is not enough.Recommended
Yellow fever vaccination certificate
Mandatory for all travellers
You must show a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate (the WHO-approved yellow booklet) upon arrival. Ghana strictly enforces this — no certificate means you get vaccinated at the airport or face a fine.Required
Yellow fever certificate required
You must present a valid yellow fever vaccination card at immigration. Without it, you may be forced to get vaccinated at the airport (costs around $50 USD) or denied entry entirely.
Bring USD cash for the visa fee
The visa on arrival fee must be paid in cash — US dollars (new, undamaged bills) or Ghanaian cedis. ATMs are unreliable and credit cards are not accepted at the visa desk. Plan ahead.

What happens at the border

1
Land at Kotoka International Airport
After deplaning, follow signs to 'Immigration' or 'Visa on Arrival'. There's a dedicated counter before the main passport control lines.
2
Fill out the visa application form
You'll be given a short form at the counter. Fill in your personal details, passport info, and accommodation address. Have a pen handy.
3
Submit documents and pay the fee
Hand over your passport, completed form, and return ticket. Pay the visa fee in USD cash (around $100–$150 for a single-entry tourist visa). Keep the receipt.
4
Wait for processing
Processing takes 10–30 minutes. You'll be called to collect your passport with the visa sticker inside.
5
Proceed to passport control
Once you have the visa, join the main passport control queue. An officer will stamp you in. Keep your boarding pass handy — they may ask for it.
Download Ghana Entry Checklist
PDF · France Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated May 17, 2026
Download PDF

Staying longer & fees

Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:

Tourist visa (single entry)
Max stay60 days, extendable 30 days
Validity3 months from issue
Cost100 USD (approx. 100 USD)

Apply at Ghana embassy before travel.

Tourist visa (multiple entry)
Max stay60 days per entry, extendable 30 days
Validity6 months from issue
Cost200 USD (approx. 200 USD)

Ideal for frequent travellers.

work visa
Ghana Work Permit
1 year, renewable
~500 USD (approx. 500 USD)
For those with a job offer in Ghana. Requires employer sponsorship and approval from Ghana Immigration Service.
student visa
Ghana Student Visa
Duration of study, renewable
~200 USD (approx. 200 USD)
For enrolled students at accredited Ghanaian institutions. Requires admission letter and proof of funds.
investor visa
Ghana Investor Visa
1 year, renewable
~1,000 USD (approx. 1,000 USD)
For individuals investing a minimum of $50,000 in Ghana. Requires proof of investment and business registration.
Other fees
ServiceCost
Visa on Arrival (single entry)Payable at the airport in cash (USD or local currency).150 USD (approx. 150 USD)
Overstay fine per dayNo maximum cap known; avoid overstaying.20 USD per day (approx. 20 USD)

Common reasons for entry denial

Insufficient funds30%
No return ticket25%
Incomplete documents20%

Approval probability calculator

Answer 6 quick questions — we'll estimate how likely you are to be approved for entry based on typical immigration patterns.

Transiting through Ghana

No transit visa needed

France passport holders do not need a transit visa for airside transit through Ghana's international airports, provided they do not pass through immigration.

Airside transitAllowed up to 24h
Transit hubsKotoka International Airport (ACC)

Health & vaccines for Ghana

Required for entry
Yellow FeverRequired for all travellers arriving from endemic countries or if travelling from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission.
Recommended vaccines
Hepatitis AEssentialTyphoidEssentialHepatitis BRecommendedRabiesConsiderMeningococcalConsider
Health risks
MalariaHigh risk

Present throughout the country; prophylaxis recommended.

DengueModerate risk

Occurs in urban and rural areas; mosquito avoidance advised.

CholeraLow risk

Rare in travellers; food and water precautions recommended.

Malaria risk: high

Malaria is high throughout Ghana, especially in rural areas. Prophylaxis (e.g., atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline) is strongly recommended.

Based on CDC and WHO guidance. Consult a travel medicine clinic 4–6 weeks before departure for personalised advice.

Immigration offices for extensions

Accra
Ghana Immigration Service Headquarters
P.O. Box CT 1051, Cantonments, Accra
Mon–Fri 08:00–17:00

For visa extensions and permits; bring passport, photos, and fee.

Kumasi
Ghana Immigration Service – Kumasi Regional Office
Adum, Kumasi
Mon–Fri 08:00–17:00

Handles extensions and re-entry permits.

Practical information for FR travellers

Country basics
CapitalAccra
LanguageEnglish
Driving sideRight-hand traffic
US driving licenceUS visitors can drive with a valid US license for up to 90 days.
Money
CurrencyGhanaian cedi (GHS)
Exchange rate
1 USD = 11.44 GHS
updated May 19
Time zone
Local timeUTC+0
vs New York+5h
vs Los Angeles+8h
Electricity
Voltage230V / 50Hz
Plug types
D,GType D (3-pin round) and Type G (3-pin rectangular) plugs
⚠ US adapter needed
Water & health
Tap water
Not safe — use bottled
Tap water is not safe to drink; stick to bottled or boiled water.
Emergency numbers
Police191
Medical193
US EmbassyFind contact

Frequently asked questions

The fee for a single-entry tourist visa on arrival is typically around $100–$150 USD. Pay in US dollars (new, crisp bills) or Ghanaian cedis. Credit cards are not accepted at the visa desk.
The standard visa on arrival allows a stay of up to 30 days. Extensions are possible but must be arranged at the Ghana Immigration Service headquarters in Accra before your visa expires.
No. The visa on arrival is only available at Kotoka International Airport in Accra. If you're entering by land from Togo or Côte d'Ivoire, you must get a visa in advance from a Ghanaian embassy.
You will be denied entry. Renew your passport before traveling. The 6-month validity is strictly enforced.
Yes. You must show a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate (the 'yellow card') upon arrival. Without it, you may be vaccinated at the airport or denied entry.
Yes, but you must apply at the Ghana Immigration Service headquarters in Accra before your current visa expires. Extensions are granted in 30-day increments and cost around 200–300 GHS. Processing takes a few days.
You'll be fined approximately 200 GHS per day of overstay when you leave. In serious cases, you may be detained or banned from re-entering Ghana.

Official sources

Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on May 17, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.