This guide covers every UK visa fee in Ghana for 2026, in US dollars and cedis. The 6-month visitor visa is $191 (about GHS 2,111), the Student visa $791, the Skilled Worker visa $1,162 and the spouse visa $2,927. The Home Office charges in dollars — the cedi figure moves with the exchange rate. Weigh the odds too: Ghana's visitor grant rate is 58%, among the lowest for major nationalities.
UK Visas from Ghana
UK Visa Fees in Ghana 2026: How Much in Cedis & Dollars
UK Visitor Visa Fee in Ghana 2026
UK visa fees in Ghana are charged in US dollars: $191 (about GHS 2,111) for a 6-month visitor visa, $791 (about GHS 8,741) for the Student visa, $1,162 for the Skilled Worker visa and $2,927 for the spouse visa. Priority processing adds about $709. Cedi figures use the August 2026 rate of roughly GHS 11.05 per $1 and move with the exchange rate.
The fee is the mandatory government charge paid to UK Visas and Immigration when you submit the application — non-refundable even if you are refused or withdraw. You pay in dollars on GOV.UK, then give biometrics at VFS Global Accra in the Airport Residential Area. Confirm the live dollar figure on the official fee calculator before paying.
The Standard Visitor visa covers tourism, family visits, business meetings and short courses, and under the multiple-entry rules every stay is capped at 180 days. Frequent travellers often choose a long-term 2, 5 or 10-year visa instead. The current prices:
UK visitor visa fees from Ghana in dollars and cedis (2026)
| Visa Duration | Fee (USD) | Fee (GHS, indicative) |
|---|---|---|
| 6 months (single/multiple entry) | $191 | GHS 2,111 |
| 2 years (long-term) | $718 | GHS 7,934 |
| 5 years (long-term) | $1,281 | GHS 14,155 |
| 10 years (long-term) | $1,600 | GHS 17,680 |
| Marriage Visitor visa | $191 | GHS 2,111 |
| Visiting Academic (6–12 months) | $332 | GHS 3,669 |
Source: Home Office fee calculator, 8 April 2026 schedule; cedis at ~GHS 11.05/$1 (Bank of Ghana interbank, August 2026)
UK visa fees in Ghana cedis — how the dollar rate works
There is no fixed cedi price: the Home Office charges Ghana's fees in US dollars, and the amount your bank debits depends on the exchange rate on the day you pay. At roughly GHS 11.05 per dollar (August 2026), the 6-month visa works out around GHS 2,111 and the student visa around GHS 8,741. Forex bureaux were selling nearer GHS 12.25 in August 2026, so budget from the dollar figure and confirm the current rate at a licensed bureau before paying.
UK visa fee for 2 years, 5 years and 10 years in Ghana
Long-term visas allow unlimited trips over their validity, each stay capped at 6 months. At $191 per single visa, the 2-year option ($718) pays for itself after about four trips and the 10-year ($1,600) after about eight. Approval is assessed to the same standard whatever the duration, so the refusal risk is identical across all of them.
Those fees are non-refundable, which makes Ghana's refusal numbers part of the calculation:
What strengthens a visitor application from Ghana:
- Sponsor evidence: if visiting family, include a clear sponsor's invitation letter with proof of the relationship
- Financial history: six or more months of bank statements showing steady balances, not last-minute deposits
- Ties to Ghana: employment, property or business records that show clear reasons to return
- Document checklist: follow our supporting documents guide for your category
- Clear itinerary: confirmed accommodation and return travel matching the stated purpose
Transit visa fees from Ghana
Ghanaian nationals passing through UK airports may need a transit visa. The Direct Airside Transit visa costs $59 (about GHS 652) for travellers staying within the airport transit area; the Visitor in Transit visa, for those passing through UK border control, costs $106 (about GHS 1,171).
UK Student Visa Fee in Ghana 2026
The Student visa costs $791 (about GHS 8,741) from Ghana. Applicants need a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies, proof they meet the English language requirement, and funds for tuition and living costs. The 82% grant rate is Ghana's strongest route — though still below the 95% global student average, with 925 refusals in the year ending June 2026, so financial documentation needs care.
UK study visa fees from Ghana (2026)
| Study Visa Type | Fee (USD) | Fee (GHS, indicative) |
|---|---|---|
| Student visa (main applicant) | $791 | GHS 8,741 |
| Child Student visa | $791 | GHS 8,741 |
| Short-term study (6–11 months English) | $323 | GHS 3,569 |
| Parent of a Child Student | $1,030 | GHS 11,382 |
| IHS (per year of study) | £776 | Paid in GBP |
Source: Home Office fee calculator, 8 April 2026 schedule; cedis at ~GHS 11.05/$1 (Bank of Ghana interbank, August 2026)
A one-year master's therefore costs about $791 in visa fee plus £776 for the Immigration Health Surcharge — always paid in pounds online before the biometrics appointment, never in cedis. After graduating, Ghanaian students can move to the Graduate route for post-study work.
UK Work Visa Fee in Ghana 2026
The Skilled Worker visa — the main employment route for Ghanaians — costs $1,162 for up to 3 years or $2,295 for longer, and needs sponsorship from a licensed UK employer at the route's salary threshold or the going rate, whichever is higher. After five years, holders can apply for settlement.
UK work visa fees from Ghana (2026)
| Work Visa Type | Fee (USD) | Fee (GHS, indicative) |
|---|---|---|
| Skilled Worker (up to 3 years) | $1,162 | GHS 12,840 |
| Skilled Worker (over 3 years) | $2,295 | GHS 25,360 |
| Health & Care Worker (up to 3 years) | $459 | GHS 5,072 |
| Health & Care Worker (over 3 years) | $891 | GHS 9,846 |
| Global Talent (visa stage) | $1,086 | GHS 11,999 |
| Global Business Mobility routes | $482 | GHS 5,326 |
Source: Home Office fee calculator, 8 April 2026 schedule; cedis at ~GHS 11.05/$1 (Bank of Ghana interbank, August 2026)
Why Ghanaian work applications face extra scrutiny
Ghana's 55% work grant rate is among the lowest for high-volume nationalities, against 98–99% for US, Australian and French applicants. The gap reflects closer verification of salary thresholds, sponsor genuineness and care-sector compliance since the 2024 rule tightening. Before applying, confirm your sponsor's licence status and that the salary meets the going rate — those two checks are where most refused applications fail.
UK Spouse & Family Visa Fee in Ghana 2026
The spouse visa costs $2,927 (about GHS 32,343) from Ghana, covering the initial partner visa for spouses, fiancé(e)s and children joining family settled in the UK, with standard processing up to 12 weeks. The UK sponsor must meet the £29,000 minimum income requirement set in Appendix FM.
UK family visa fees from Ghana (2026)
| Family Visa Type | Fee (USD) | Fee (GHS, indicative) |
|---|---|---|
| Spouse/Partner/Child visa | $2,927 | GHS 32,343 |
| Fiancé(e) visa | $2,927 | GHS 32,343 |
| Adult Dependent Relative | $5,155 | GHS 56,963 |
| Parent of a Child Student | $1,030 | GHS 11,382 |
Source: Home Office fee calculator, 8 April 2026 schedule; cedis at ~GHS 11.05/$1 (Bank of Ghana interbank, August 2026)
Ghana's family grant rate is 82%, below the 86% global average. The £29,000 income threshold is the most common sticking point for sponsors, followed by gaps in relationship evidence — so sponsors should confirm their income category under Appendix FM before the fee is paid.
UK Priority Visa Fee in Ghana 2026
Standard processing after biometrics from Ghana runs about 3 weeks for visitor and student visas. For urgent travel, the priority visa service shortens the wait where slots are available at VFS Global Accra.
UK priority processing fees in Ghana (2026)
| Service | Processing Time | Fee (USD / GHS) |
|---|---|---|
| Standard processing | About 3 weeks | Included in visa fee |
| Priority service | 5 working days | ~$709 (~GHS 7,834) |
| Super Priority service | Next working day | ~$1,418 (~GHS 15,669) |
| Settlement priority | About 6 weeks | ~$709 (~GHS 7,834) |
Source: Home Office fee calculator — priority fees derive from the £500 / £1,000 GBP rates
Because the dollar figures convert from £500 and £1,000, the exact amount moves with the exchange rate. Priority buys speed, not approval — the fee is not refunded on refusal, and the service may be paused for some categories during peak demand, so check availability when booking.
Ghana UK Visa Statistics 2026 (Success Rate)
Ghana is a major UK visa market in West Africa, lodging 46,286 visitor applications in the year ending June 2026 — eleventh globally. Grant rates sit below the global average in every major category, and alongside other African markets such as Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Zimbabwe and Egypt, scrutiny differs sharply by route. Cross-country context is in our UK visa success rate breakdown.
UK visa grant rates for Ghana (year ending June 2026)
| Visa Category | Applications | Granted | Grant Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visitor visa | 46,286 | 26,643 | 58% |
| Student visa | 5,324 | 4,155 | 82% |
| Work visa | 5,042 | 2,766 | 55% |
| Family visa | 2,834 | 1,791 | 82% |
Source: Home Office Immigration System Statistics, year ending June 2026
The 58% visitor rate places Ghana among the lowest-approval nationalities, with 19,639 refusals in the year, and work visas are tougher still at 55%. Student and family visas offer the best prospects at 82%. Refusals usually turn on financial evidence and proof of intent to return, so understanding the decision notice and its grounds before applying is essential.
How to Apply for a UK Visa from Ghana
Every application starts with the online form on GOV.UK — our application form guide walks through it — with the fee paid in dollars and biometrics given at VFS Global Accra. The steps:
- Step 1: complete the online application on GOV.UK and pay the fee in USD
- Step 2: pay the Immigration Health Surcharge online for stays over 6 months
- Step 3: book a biometrics appointment via the VFS Global Ghana portal
- Step 4: get a TB test certificate from the approved clinic in Accra for stays of 6+ months
- Step 5: attend the VFS centre with your passport and document checklist
- Step 6: wait for the decision (about 3 weeks) and collect your passport
TB test for a UK visa in Ghana — price and booking
Ghanaians applying for a visa of 6 months or longer must hold a tuberculosis test certificate from a Home Office approved clinic — the IOM clinic in Accra is the approved provider. The test fee is set by the clinic and paid there directly, separate from the visa fee, so confirm the current price with IOM Accra when booking. The certificate is valid for 6 months; time the test within that window.
If your application is refused
A refusal letter sets out the specific grounds for the decision — it shows whether to reapply with stronger evidence, request an administrative review, or take another route. Given Ghana's 58% visitor grant rate, addressing the exact refusal reason before reapplying is the single most useful step.
Sources: fees from the Home Office visa fee calculator under the 8 April 2026 schedule, with cedis shown as indicative at roughly GHS 11.05 per $1 (Bank of Ghana interbank, August 2026); grant rates and volumes from the Home Office Immigration System Statistics, year ending June 2026. Figures verified 29 August 2026 at the August 2026 Home Office exchange rate.
Frequently Asked
Questions about UK Visa Fees in Ghana
It depends on the type: 6-month visitor visa $191 (about GHS 2,111), Student visa $791, Skilled Worker visa $1,162 for up to 3 years, and spouse visa $2,927. All fees are charged in US dollars by the Home Office under the 8 April 2026 schedule and paid through the GOV.UK portal.
At roughly GHS 11.05 per dollar (August 2026): the 6-month visitor visa is about GHS 2,111, the 2-year visa GHS 7,934, the 5-year GHS 14,155, the student visa GHS 8,741 and the spouse visa GHS 32,343. Exchange rates move daily, so confirm the current rate at a licensed forex bureau before paying.
For a standard 6-month visit, $191 (about GHS 2,111) — that is the full government fee, with no IHS or TB test needed at 6 months or under. Longer stays cost more: student $791 plus £776 IHS per year, Skilled Worker $1,162, spouse $2,927, each plus the TB test and, where applicable, the health surcharge.
The application fee is the government charge paid to UK Visas and Immigration when you submit the online form — for Ghana, $191 for a 6-month visit, $791 for study, $1,162 for skilled work, $2,927 for a spouse. It is non-refundable even if the application is refused or withdrawn, and separate from the IHS and TB test costs.
The Student visa fee is $791 (about GHS 8,741), plus the Immigration Health Surcharge of £776 per year of study, always in pounds, plus the TB test for stays over 6 months. A one-year master's therefore costs roughly $791 plus £776 IHS. Ghana has an 82% student grant rate — its strongest route.
Priority service costs about $709 (roughly GHS 7,834) on top of the visa fee for a decision in 5 working days; Super Priority is about $1,418 for the next working day. Both derive from the £500 and £1,000 GBP rates, so the dollar figure moves with the exchange rate, and both are subject to slot availability at VFS Global Accra.
The 5-year long-term visitor visa is $1,281 (about GHS 14,155); the 2-year is $718 and the 10-year $1,600. All allow multiple entries with each stay capped at 6 months, and work out cheaper than repeated $191 visas for frequent travellers — the 2-year breaks even after about four trips, the 10-year after about eight.
Yes — for any visa of 6 months or longer, including student, work and family visas. The test must be done at the approved IOM clinic in Accra; the fee is set by the clinic and paid there directly, so confirm the current price with IOM when booking. The certificate is valid for 6 months. Visit visas of 6 months or less do not require it.
In the year ending June 2026, Ghana's visitor grant rate was 58%, with 19,639 refusals from 46,286 applications — among the lowest for major nationalities. Student and family visas were strongest at 82%, work visas at 55%. Comprehensive financial evidence and clear ties to Ghana meaningfully improve the odds.
Standard processing is about 3 weeks (15 working days) for visitor and student visas, and up to 12 weeks for settlement and family visas. Priority service (about $709) reduces this to 5 working days; Super Priority (about $1,418) gives a next-working-day decision. Peak seasons can extend timelines.