PassportSouth Africa

Trip checklist: Ghana

For South African passport holders. Last checked 5 October 2026.

Visa requirement

South Africans need an online travel authorisation before flying to Ghana.

Permitted stay

You can stay up to 90 days per year.

Before you go

  • Purpose of visit

    Tourism and business (meetings, conferences). The ETA and the bilateral waiver do not allow work.

  • Passport validity

    Valid for at least 6 months from your intended date of departure from Ghana, with at least 3 blank pages (eVisa applicant guide). UK and US advice say 6 months from arrival.

  • How to apply

    Apply online for the free ETA on the official Ghana Immigration Service portal, evisa.immigration.gov.gh, before you travel. Fee: none for African passport holders. Ghana's minister said decisions come within 48 hours; the portal lists standard processing as 96 hours, so apply at least a week ahead. ETA validity period and number of entries are not published. Non-African nationals pay US$260 (standard, 96 hours), US$338 (priority, 48 hours) or US$442 (express, 5 hours) for an eVisa.

  • Where South Africans apply

    Online only, at evisa.immigration.gov.gh. The Ghana High Commission in Pretoria handles consular matters, but its visa page is out of date (it predates both the 2023 waiver and the 2026 ETA) and should not be relied on.

  • Return or onward ticket

    The eVisa applicant guide requires a confirmed return or onward travel itinerary. Whether the ETA asks for it is not stated separately; carry one.

  • Proof of funds

    The eVisa guide asks tourist applicants for proof of sufficient funds, such as a bank statement for the last 3 months. Not stated separately for the ETA; carry recent statements.

  • Accommodation or invitation

    The eVisa guide asks for accommodation covering the full stay, or a Ghanaian host's identification (Ghana Card or passport). Not stated separately for the ETA; carry a booking or invitation letter.

  • Vaccinations, including yellow fever on return to South Africa

    GHANA: A valid yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for entry into Ghana (GIS eVisa guide; US advice says for all travellers 9 months or older). SOUTH AFRICA: Ghana is on South Africa's yellow fever risk list. Everyone over 1 year old, South Africans included, returning to South Africa from Ghana, or after an airport transit of more than 12 hours there, must show a valid yellow fever certificate on arrival in South Africa. Get vaccinated at least 10 days before travel; the certificate is valid for life.

  • Arrival forms

    You must declare all hard currency on the declaration form provided on arrival; the maximum you may carry is the cedi equivalent of US$10,000. No separate digital arrival card found.

  • Transit

    Not published for South Africans under the ETA. The older Pretoria High Commission page lists airside transit passengers as exempt; not reconfirmed under the 2026 system.

  • Confirm with the embassy

    Rules change. Check the official source before you book.

Where to apply

Research sources

  1. 1. Ghana Immigration Service (official eVisa portal, applicant guide) (Official, evisa.immigration.gov.gh) https://evisa.immigration.gov.gh/applicant-guide.html
  2. 2. Ghana Immigration Service (official eVisa portal) (Official, evisa.immigration.gov.gh) https://evisa.immigration.gov.gh/
  3. 3. Ghana Immigration Service (Official, gis.gov.gh) https://gis.gov.gh/ghana-launches-e-visa-platform/
  4. 4. Ghana High Commission, Pretoria (Official, ghanahighcommission.co.za) https://www.ghanahighcommission.co.za/consular/visa/online_tc.html
  5. 5. DIRCO (South African High Commission, London) (Other government, dirco.gov.za) https://dirco.gov.za/uk/visa-countries-waivers/
  6. 6. UK FCDO (Other government, gov.uk) https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/ghana/entry-requirements
  7. 7. US Department of State (Other government, travel.state.gov) https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Ghana.html
  8. 8. DIRCO (South African High Commission, Canberra) (Other government, dirco.gov.za) https://dirco.gov.za/canberra/yellow-fever/
  9. 9. Passport Index (Passe/Port) (Reference, discover.passportindex.org) https://discover.passportindex.org/policy-and-regulations/ghana-launches-its-national-e-visa-portal-with-free-access-for-african-travelers/
  10. 10. Fragomen (Commercial, fragomen.com) https://www.fragomen.com/insights/ghana-new-electronic-travel-authorization-eta-and-evisa-requirements-visa-on-arrival-discontinued.html
  11. 11. Fragomen (Commercial, fragomen.com) https://www.fragomen.com/insights/ghanasouth-africa-reciprocal-tourism-and-business-visa-waiver-to-be-implemented.html
  12. 12. Graphic Online (News and guides, graphic.com.gh) https://www.graphic.com.gh/news/general-news/ghana-and-south-africa-sign-visa-waiver-agreement-for-ordinary-passport-holders.html
  13. 13. Graphic Online (News and guides, graphic.com.gh) https://www.graphic.com.gh/news/general-news/ghana-launches-e-visa-system-waives-visa-fees-for-african-passport-holders.html

From doineedavisa.co.za/ghana. Always confirm with the embassy before you travel.