Introduction
A person of Ghanaian or African descent living abroad can visit Ghana, stay for longer periods, invest, and eventually settle permanently. Each stage is governed by a different body of law, and each has its own conditions and documents.
In recent years, more members of the diaspora have chosen to return to Ghana, whether to reconnect with family, retire, work or start a business. Planning such a move is easier with a clear picture of the legal framework before travel.
This article sets out, in general terms, the main laws that apply at each stage: entry, extended stay, investment, the right of abode, citizenship, and practical matters such as identification and land.
Visiting Ghana
Entry into Ghana is governed mainly by the Immigration Act, 2000 (Act 573) and the Immigration Regulations, 2001 (L.I. 1691), administered by the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS).
- Ghanaian passport holders and dual citizens enter Ghana as citizens and need no visa.
- Nationals of other countries generally need a visa unless their country is exempt under Ghana's visa policy. Visas are obtained from a Ghana mission abroad or through the official e-visa channel.
- African passport holders: the Government announced visa-free entry for all African nationals from 25 May 2026. Operational details, including the permitted length of stay, should be confirmed with GIS before travel.
- Holders of a right of abode (discussed below) may enter Ghana without a visa.
A visitor's permit allows a temporary stay only. It does not by itself authorise the holder to work or to live in Ghana indefinitely.
Staying longer: residence and work permits
A non-citizen who intends to live in Ghana beyond a visit needs a residence permit from GIS. A non-citizen who intends to work needs a work permit as well. The two are separate authorisations, and each must be applied for.
- Residence permit: generally required for a continuous stay of more than 180 days. Permits are commonly issued for one year and are renewable before expiry.
- Work permit: employment in Ghana requires a work permit, often supported by an immigrant quota granted to the employer (see the next section).
- Supporting documents typically include a valid passport with an entry visa, completed application forms, a medical report from an approved facility and the Non-Citizen Ghana Card.
Dependants such as a spouse or children may apply for permits on the basis of the principal applicant's status, with proof of the family relationship.
Investing and doing business: the Ghana Investment Promotion Authority Act, 2026
Foreign investment in Ghana is now governed by the Ghana Investment Promotion Authority Act, 2026 (Act 1173), assented to in July 2026. It repeals the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre Act, 2013 (Act 865) and turns the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre into the Ghana Investment Promotion Authority (GIPA).
The changes most relevant to a member of the diaspora planning a business are:
| Matter | Under Act 865 (repealed) | Under Act 1173 |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum capital: joint ventures with Ghanaians | US$200,000 | No general statutory minimum |
| Minimum capital: wholly foreign-owned (non-trading) | US$500,000 | No general statutory minimum |
| Minimum capital: trading enterprises | US$1,000,000 | US$500,000 cash equity at commencement, with at least 75% of the workforce being skilled Ghanaians |
| Registration with GIPA | Renewed every two years | Renewed annually |
| Expatriate (immigrant) quota | Scaled to capital | 2 to 12 persons, scaled to capital from about US$50,000 to over US$10 million |
| Investor complaints | No statutory mechanism | Statutory investor grievance mechanism |
Other features of the Act include:
- a shorter list of activities reserved for Ghanaians;
- a one-stop shop for investors;
- compliance obligations for investors, including obligations relating to human rights and gender equity;
- investment guarantees, and special tax incentives for strategic investments;
- expatriate quotas that are no longer automatic and must be applied for;
- mediation under the Alternative Dispute Resolution Act, 2010 (Act 798) where an investor dispute cannot be settled amicably; and
- provision for citizenship by investment, with the details to be set out in separate legislation.
The trading-enterprise threshold also applies to Ghanaian-owned trading enterprises with a non-citizen as a beneficial owner or director. A person who holds Ghanaian citizenship, including a dual citizen, is exempt from the minimum capital requirement under the Act. So is a person who lost Ghanaian citizenship because their country of residence does not permit dual citizenship.
The expatriate quota matters for settlement: it is the usual route by which a foreign national working in their own enterprise obtains the work permit described above.
The right of abode
The right of abode under sections 17 and 18 of Act 573 is the main route to permanent residence for the diaspora without taking Ghanaian citizenship. It is granted by the Minister for the Interior with the approval of the President.
Who may apply (section 17(1)):
- a former Ghanaian citizen who lost Ghanaian citizenship by acquiring another nationality; and
- a person of African descent in the diaspora.
Conditions for a person of African descent (section 17(3)). The applicant must satisfy the Minister that they:
- are of good character, attested to by two persons of specified standing;
- have not been convicted of an offence for which the sentence was 12 months' imprisonment or more;
- have independent financial means;
- are able to make a substantial contribution to the development of Ghana; and
- are at least 18 years old.
What it confers (section 18(1)). The holder may remain in Ghana indefinitely, enter without a visa, and work, whether self-employed or employed, without a work permit. The holder remains subject to Ghanaian law.
GIS lists the supporting documents for each category. For a person of African descent, they include a police report, the Non-Citizen Ghana Card, a medical report, and evidence of contribution to Ghana's economic development, such as investment or job creation.
Citizenship
Citizenship is governed by the 1992 Constitution and the Citizenship Act, 2000 (Act 591). Three routes are most relevant to the diaspora.
- Dual citizenship. Since 2000, Ghanaian law has allowed a Ghanaian citizen to hold another nationality. A person who lost Ghanaian citizenship on acquiring a foreign nationality may apply to have Ghanaian citizenship restored as a dual citizen. Dual citizens may not hold certain public offices, including senior posts in the diplomatic service, the judiciary, the legislature and the security services.
- Naturalisation. A non-citizen who has lived in Ghana for the qualifying period may apply for naturalisation. Applicants must show good character, knowledge of Ghanaian customs, the ability to speak an indigenous Ghanaian language, and the capacity to contribute to national development.
- Grants to the historical diaspora. The Government has for some years conferred citizenship on members of the African diaspora at formal ceremonies. About 1,000 people had been sworn in by March 2026. New applications under this programme were paused in early 2026 to review the process, so its current status should be confirmed with the Ministry of the Interior.
Act 1173 also provides for citizenship by investment. That route will operate only once the separate legislation setting out its framework is passed.
Practical matters: identification and land
The Ghana Card. The National Identification Authority (NIA) issues the Ghana Card, which is needed for banking, SIM registration, tax and many official transactions.
- Ghanaian citizens, including dual citizens and Ghanaians living abroad, register as citizens.
- A foreign national living in Ghana must obtain the Non-Citizen Ghana Card once they have been resident for a cumulative 90 days. NIA lists the fee as the equivalent of US$120 for first issue and US$60 for annual renewal.
Land. Under article 266 of the 1992 Constitution and the Land Act, 2020 (Act 1036), a person who is not a Ghanaian citizen cannot hold a freehold interest in land in Ghana. A non-citizen may take a lease of up to 50 years, which may be renewed. A dual citizen is a Ghanaian citizen and is not subject to this limit.
Before buying land, it is prudent to search the title at the Lands Commission, confirm the authority of the person or family selling, and ensure the transaction is properly documented and registered.
Conclusion
Moving from a visit to settling in Ghana usually runs in stages: entry, a residence permit and, where relevant, a work permit or investment registration, then the right of abode or citizenship. The rules at each stage come from different laws and different authorities: GIS, GIPA, NIA, the Ministry of the Interior and the Lands Commission.
The Ghana Investment Promotion Authority Act, 2026 has lowered the barriers to establishing a business, and the diaspora citizenship and visa initiatives continue to develop. Several of the processes described here are changing, so the current position should be confirmed with the relevant authority before any application is made.
This article provides general information on Ghanaian law as at September 2026. It is not legal advice and does not create a lawyer–client relationship. Requirements, fees and procedures change; readers should confirm the current position with the relevant authority or obtain independent legal advice on their own circumstances.