| Type: | Department |
| Agency Name: | Ghana Immigration Service |
| Formed: | 1957 |
| Jurisdiction: | Republic of Ghana |
| Headquarters: | Independence Avenue, Accra, Greater Accra, Ghana |
| Region Code: | GH |
| Minister1 Name: | Henry Quartey |
| Minister1 Pfo: | Minister for the Interior |
| Chief1 Name: | Kwame Asuah Takyi |
| Chief1 Position: | Comptroller-General Of Immigration |
| Parent Agency: | Ministry of Interior (Ghana) |
| Website: | https://home.gis.gov.gh/ |
The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) is an agency of the government of Ghana under the Ministry of the Interior. The GIS regulates examination and authorization of application for visas, entry and residence permits in Ghana. Control of foreign nationals in Ghana, Facilitation of Ghanaian passport application processing, border control and management, Refugee registration, protection and management. The service advises on and ensures the effective implementation of all laws and regulations pertaining to immigration and related issues 0537161294.[1]
Prior to Ghana's independence from Britain, the service was known as the Immigration and Passport Unit,[1] and was under the auspices of the Colonial Police Force of the British-ruled Gold Coast.[1] The unit was headed by Nevile C. Hill.[1]
After the country gained independence in 1957, the expansion of the Ghanaian economy increased the number of foreign businessmen trading in the country. Because of Ghana's lead in the emancipation of the African continent from colonial rule, the number of tourists visiting the country, particularly from neighbouring African states, also increased. To control this influx, a Cabinet decision in 1960 moved the Immigration and Passport Unit to the Ministry of the Interior as a department. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs took over the issuing of passports after the change.[2]
Three years after the Immigration Service was moved to the Ministry of Interior, the Aliens Act 1963 (Act 160) was enacted to give legal backing to immigration operations.[1] The Ghana Immigration Service was established in 1989 under PNDC Law 226.[1]
The Immigration Service is charged with handling all the needs that relate to the country's dealings with non-citizens. The functions of the service are:
The issuance of a Ghanaian passport is done by the ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration and not by the Ghana Immigration Service. The Ghana Immigration Service only plays a role in the passport application process.
Acquiring a Ghanaian passport is a six-step process:
This comes at a fee of GH¢100.00 (US$70.00) for the express service or GH¢50.00 (US$35.00) for regular service. However, it is difficult to acquire a passport in the period assigned to the application form due to reasons such as shortage of passport booklets and break-down of passport printers. Shortage of passport application forms is also a hindrance to easy acquisition of the Ghanaian passport.