Ghana’s Ambassador to the United States of America, Emmanuel Victor Smith, has clarified that B1/B2 visitor visas are not affected by the recently announced US immigrant visa freeze, easing widespread concern among Ghanaians planning short-term travel to the United States.
The clarification was issued by the Ghanaian Embassy in Washington through its official social media platforms following growing public anxiety sparked by reports that the US government would suspend certain visa processes for Ghana and several other countries beginning January 21. Many prospective travellers feared the move would disrupt all categories of visas, including those for tourism and business.
According to Ambassador Smith, the US State Department has confirmed that only immigrant visas have been paused under the new policy, while non-immigrant visas, including B1/B2 visitor visas, will continue to be processed as usual.
“The US State Department confirms that B1-B2 visas will continue. Only immigrant visas are being paused,” the ambassador stated in the embassy’s update.
The announcement follows reports that the United States plans to suspend immigrant visa processing for nationals of Ghana and 74 other countries from January 21 as part of a broader review of immigration procedures. Immigrant visas typically apply to individuals seeking permanent residency in the United States through avenues such as family reunification, employment-based sponsorship, or diversity visa programmes.
Ambassador Smith explained that the distinction between immigrant and non-immigrant visas is critical in understanding the scope of the policy change. While immigrant visas are intended for long-term settlement and permanent residence, B1/B2 visas are issued strictly for short-term purposes such as tourism, medical visits, conferences, and business engagements.
He assured Ghanaians that applicants seeking to travel temporarily to the US for holidays, business meetings, or other approved short stays should not be affected by the freeze. Processing of B1/B2 applications, he said, remains ongoing.
The ambassador also emphasised that the Ghanaian Embassy in the United States is actively engaging with relevant US authorities and monitoring developments closely to protect the interests of Ghanaian citizens. He urged the public to rely on official information from the US State Department and the Ghanaian Embassy rather than unverified reports circulating on social media.
The clarification has come as a relief to many Ghanaians with pending or planned B1/B2 visa applications, particularly students, business owners, families, and tourists who rely on short-term travel to the United States for various personal and professional reasons.
However, uncertainty remains for individuals seeking immigrant visas, as the US government has not provided a clear timeline for when the suspension may be lifted. Officials have only indicated that the pause forms part of a wider review of immigration systems and procedures.
For now, the embassy’s assurance helps draw a clear line between the affected and unaffected visa categories, reinforcing that short-term travel to the United States for Ghanaians remains open despite the immigrant visa freeze.
