Obtaining a permanent residence and citizenship in Ghana. Features and types of stay in the country
Ghana is a state in West Africa on the Gulf of Guinea, one of the most original countries of the continent. Forbes magazine listed Ghana as one of the friendliest countries in the world and the first in Africa. Ghana took an honorable eighth place out of a list of 139 countries chosen for tourism. Most of the tourists come from the African diaspora countries.
The population of Ghana is about 24 million people. 2.3 million of them live in the capital - Accra, a major city and a center of culture and tourism. Known as a "young" city, most of its population is under the age of 24. Accra has many natives of Syria, and Lebanon (more than 2 thousand people), as well as Chinese. Most specialists and residents of neighbouring countries emigrate to Ghana - 2 million people.
What do I need to get permanent residency and citizenship in Ghana?
If you are going to immigrate to Ghana for some reason, you need to apply for a visa, get a residence permit, and then citizenship. Before doing so, it is important to consider all the nuances of these procedures beforehand. To successfully obtain a visa or apply for permanent residency, you can contact us for legal advice. Also, before planning a trip abroad, or moving to another country, we offer to buy a checklist. Ghanaian citizenship can only be obtained by being related to citizens. Although by naturalization, it is also possible to get Ghanaian citizenship.
The government of the country does not encourage the naturalization of foreigners who do not have blood or marriage ties with Ghana. Only those who can understand and speak the local language can obtain such citizenship. Well, the main types of obtaining citizenship are by descent, marriage, and by birth. Residence and residency can be granted for a period of 4 to 8 years.
The application must be submitted to the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS). The applicant must have legal status as of the date of application. In other words, they must have permission to reside in Ghana. The application must be on Form E and must include a letter of application addressed to the Comptroller General requesting the grant. The letter must include their personal information, the reasons for the permit, and the period requested.
For employees, this can be done on their behalf by their employer on their official letterhead. If they are applying based on a work permit or immigration quota, they must provide a letter of confirmation, company registration documents, company tax certificate, and the applicant's employment letter or contract with the company.
Peculiarities and types of residence in the country
A residence permit in Ghana entitles a foreign national to reside in Ghana for a set period. A foreign national who intends to remain in Ghana for a significant period must obtain a permit for this purpose. Migrants can be granted a permit for up to four years in the first instance, but not more than eight years in total on renewal. A foreign national wishing to study in Ghana or to engage in any business, profession, or employment must obtain a residence permit for that purpose.
A residence permit in Ghana is not given for nothing. It must always be tied to a specific purpose. Thus, residence permits can be granted to foreign nationals engaged in missionary work, or to employees of an NGO, shareholders of a company, or students, employees, self-employed, pensioners, and dependents. The residence permit is granted on the condition that the holder cannot engage in any work, employment, business, trade, or profession, except as specified in the permit. It is important to take care of health insurance. You can arrange for insurance by contacting the professionals on our website Visit World.
Required Documents
Documentary requirements for a residence permit in Ghana and work permit/quota holders
• application for a residence permit;
• сompany registration documents (if based on a work permit/quota holder);
• work permit, GIPC quota, or immigrant quota approval letters;
• company tax exemption certificate;
• employment contract or letter of appointment;
• CV or resume;
• the police report from the applicant's country of residence;
• report of a medical examination to be conducted at the headquarters of the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS);
• copies of professional certificates;
• copy of a non-Ghanaian identification card.
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