GHANA VISA UPON ARRIVAL AT KOTOKO
On March 27th while I was reading about Salvador de Bahia (I was heading there on March 31st) I had a great idea to go to Accra on April 26th. At that point the last thing on my mind was that I needed a visa, I was just so happy with the price I bought the tickets for on Kenyan Airways.
Getting a visa at the embassy was never going to be an option. The month of April was a busy month for me and I was going to be out of the country for most of the most of the month. I remember a big announcement made in July 2016 that Residents of African Union member countries can now get a visa upon arrival at Kotoko Airport. The internet provided very little detail on what the requirements were. I called the consulate in Pretoria and the response was "I don't know anything about it, ask them about it when you arrive. Take USD150."
On April 26th, $150 dollars in hand, I took the first leg of my flight to Nairobi. At check-in they asked me if I had a visa. I panicked of course. Told them that I would apply for one upon arrival. She agreed and let me check in. I had a long stop in Nairobi and also panicked that I'd be asked the same question when I depart for Accra. Luckily I wasn't.
The purpose of this post is to help anyone going to Accra soon on how to be ready for the visa application process. I wished I knew this when I left. So here goes.
I don't need to remind you that you need to have a black pen with you and that when you get off the plane/bus you need to try and go to the front as quick as possible. You also need a valid passport (I doubt you'd even board the first plane without this) and a yellow fever vaccination card.
There's an office before passport control called "visa upon arrival". That's the office that you need to go to for the application.
- Take USD150.
They don't take credit cards nor do they take any other foreign currency. They do take GHS but there are no ATMs before passport control. Don't try this.
- Bring confirmation of your return ticket and accommodation while in Ghana.
- You need two forms for your application and entry :
- The first form is an A4 sheet printed in green. Make sure that you fill in both sides.
- The second form is an entry/departure card that's the size of a postcard.
- You need to go to the first window to request the A4. The other one is available in the office.
- Once you've filled in the form , accuracy is important, go to any window with people that are holding the A4 forms. **At this point I need to mention that this office is chaotic and no one (applicants) knows what they are doing so don't just stand and hope for the best. **
- Have your documents and $150 ready. You will get nothing after this. Don't panic. Take a seat and enjoy your music and refreshments *pack refreshments*
- Each time they call people up you need to jump up to see if your name is called.
- Try remain calm throughout the process.
