Ghana's Ambassador Confirms Non-Immigrant Visa Processing Unaffected by US Visa Pause

Ghana's Ambassador to the United States, Emmanuel Victor Smith, has reassured Ghanaians that the recent temporary suspension of immigrant visa processing by the US will not impact non-immigrant visas, specifically B1 and B2 visas for business and tourism. This clarification comes as the US State Department announced a pause on immigrant visa processing for nationals from 75 countries, including Ghana and Nigeria, starting January 21, 2026, as part of a review of visa screening procedures under the 'public charge' rules. Ambassador Smith emphasized that applications for B1 and B2 visas will continue to be processed normally, alleviating concerns for those planning short-term travel to the US. The Ghanaian Embassy in Washington DC echoed this sentiment, urging the public to rely on official communications regarding visa matters and to disregard speculation about broader visa restrictions. Ghanaians seeking to travel for business or tourism can proceed without issue, as only immigrant visas are affected by the current freeze.