Ghana entry requirements for Austria passport holders

Checked daily · Updated May 15, 2026·View sources
Visa on arrival
Max stay
No fixed limit
Passport validity
6 months
Beyond entry date
Return ticket
Required
Or onward travel proof
Proof of funds
Recommended
May be checked

Austrian passport holders can get a visa on arrival at Ghana's airports. You don't need to apply before your trip — just show up with the right documents and pay the fee at the counter. As of 2026, this is the standard entry method for short visits.

Entry requirements

RequirementDetailsStatus
Visa on arrival
Visa on arrival at Kotoka International Airport
Austrian passport holders can get a visa on arrival at Kotoka International Airport in Accra. The visa costs $150 USD (single entry) or $200 USD (multiple entry) — bring cash in US dollars. Have your passport, a passport-sized photo, and your return ticket ready at the visa-on-arrival counter.Check GIS visa infoRequired
Valid passport
Must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended stay
Your Austrian passport must have at least 6 months of remaining validity from the date you enter Ghana. Immigration at Kotoka checks this strictly — if your passport expires sooner, you will be denied boarding in Vienna or turned back on arrival.Required
Return or onward ticket
Required for visa-on-arrival issuance
You must show a confirmed return or onward ticket when applying for the visa on arrival. Immigration officers at Kotoka will ask for it — without one, you will not get the visa. Airlines also enforce this before boarding.Required
Proof of accommodation
Hotel booking or host invitation
Have a printed hotel booking confirmation or a letter of invitation from your host in Ghana. Immigration may ask for it during the visa-on-arrival process — having it ready avoids delays.Recommended
Yellow fever vaccination certificate
Mandatory for entry into Ghana
You must present a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate (the WHO-approved yellow booklet) upon arrival. Ghana strictly enforces this — no certificate means you may be vaccinated at the airport or denied entry. Carry it with your passport, not in checked luggage.Required
Yellow fever certificate is mandatory
Ghana strictly enforces the yellow fever vaccination requirement. Without the yellow card, you may be vaccinated at the airport (at your expense) or fined. Get the shot at least 10 days before travel.
Cash is king at the visa counter
The visa-on-arrival fee must be paid in cash — no cards, no mobile money. Bring USD, EUR, or GBP in good condition. Old, torn, or marked notes may be refused.

What happens at the border

1
Land at Kotoka International Airport (ACC)
After deplaning, follow the signs to 'Immigration' or 'Visa on Arrival'. There's a dedicated counter before the main passport control lines.
2
Fill out the visa application form
You'll be given a small form to complete. Have your flight details and accommodation address handy. A pen is useful — the counters sometimes run out.
3
Submit documents and pay the fee
Hand over your passport, completed form, and cash. The officer will process the visa sticker and paste it into your passport. This usually takes 5–10 minutes.
4
Proceed to passport control
With the visa sticker in your passport, join the main passport control queue. The officer may ask your purpose of visit and how long you're staying. Answer clearly.
5
Collect your luggage and exit
After passport control, head to baggage claim, then customs. There's a green channel for nothing to declare and a red channel for goods over the duty-free limit.
Download Ghana Entry Checklist
PDF · Austria Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated May 15, 2026
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Staying longer & fees

Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:

Tourist Visa (single entry, pre-arranged)
Max stay90 days
Validity3 months from issue date
Cost$100 USD (approx. €93)

Apply at Ghanaian embassy before travel; allows longer stay than VoA.

Tourist Visa (multiple entry)
Max stay90 days per entry
Validity1 year from issue date
Cost$200 USD (approx. €185)

Ideal for frequent travellers; must be applied for in advance.

Business Visa (single entry)
Max stay90 days
Validity3 months from issue date
Cost$150 USD (approx. €140)

Requires invitation letter from Ghanaian company.

work visa
Ghana Work Permit
1 year, renewable
~$500–$1,000 USD (approx. €465–€930) depending on job category
For foreigners with a job offer from a Ghanaian employer. Requires company sponsorship and approval from the Ghana Immigration Service.
student visa
Ghana Student Visa
Duration of study program (typically 1–4 years)
~$150 USD (approx. €140) application fee
For those enrolled in a recognized educational institution in Ghana. Requires admission letter and proof of financial support.
investor visa
Ghana Investor Visa
1 year, renewable
~$1,000–$2,000 USD (approx. €930–€1,860) depending on investment amount
For individuals investing a minimum of $50,000 USD in Ghana. Requires proof of investment and business registration.
Other fees
ServiceCost
Visa on Arrival (single entry, up to 30 days)Payable in cash (USD, EUR, or GBP) at the airport upon arrival.$150 USD (approx. €140)
Visa on Arrival (single entry, up to 60 days)Available for longer stays; must be requested at entry.$200 USD (approx. €185)
Overstay fineNo maximum cap reported; avoid overstaying to prevent fines and future entry issues.$20 USD per day (approx. €18.50)

Common reasons for entry denial

Insufficient funds30%
No return ticket25%
Incomplete travel documents20%

Approval probability calculator

Answer 6 quick questions — we'll estimate how likely you are to be approved for entry based on typical immigration patterns.

Transiting through Ghana

No transit visa needed

Austrian passport holders transiting through Ghana do not need a visa if they remain airside and have a confirmed onward ticket within 24 hours.

Airside transitAllowed up to 24h
Exceptions & conditions
  • No visa needed for airside transit up to 24 hours.
Transit hubsKotoka International Airport (ACC)

Health & vaccines for Ghana

Required for entry
Yellow FeverRequired for all travellers aged 9 months and older arriving from endemic countries or if travelling from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission.
Recommended vaccines
Hepatitis AEssentialTyphoidEssentialHepatitis BRecommendedRabiesConsiderMeningococcal MeningitisConsider
Health risks
MalariaHigh risk

Present throughout the country; prophylaxis recommended for all travellers.

Dengue FeverModerate risk

Occurs in urban and rural areas; mosquito avoidance is key.

CholeraLow risk

Rare in travellers; risk increases during outbreaks or in areas with poor sanitation.

Malaria risk: high

Malaria is present year-round in all regions. Prophylaxis (e.g., atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline, or mefloquine) is strongly recommended. Use insect repellent and sleep under mosquito nets.

Based on CDC and WHO guidance. Consult a travel medicine clinic 4–6 weeks before departure for personalised advice.

Immigration offices for extensions

Accra
Ghana Immigration Service Headquarters
Independence Avenue, Accra
Mon–Fri 08:00–17:00

Main office for visa extensions and permits; bring passport, photos, and fee.

Kumasi
Ghana Immigration Service – Kumasi Regional Office
Adum, Kumasi
Mon–Fri 08:00–17:00

Handles extensions and re-entry permits for visitors in the Ashanti Region.

Practical information for AT travellers

Country basics
CapitalAccra
LanguageEnglish
Driving sideRight-hand traffic
US driving licenceUS visitors can drive with a valid US license for up to 90 days.
Money
CurrencyGhanaian cedi (GHS)
Exchange rate
1 USD = 11.35 GHS
updated May 15
Time zone
Local timeUTC+0
vs New York+5h
vs Los Angeles+8h
Electricity
Voltage230V / 50Hz
Plug types
D,GType D (3-pin round) and Type G (3-pin rectangular) plugs
⚠ US adapter needed
Water & health
Tap water
Not safe — use bottled
Tap water is not safe to drink; stick to bottled or boiled water.
Emergency numbers
Police191
Medical193
US EmbassyFind contact

Frequently asked questions

The fee is typically around $100–$150 USD, payable in cash (USD, EUR, or GBP). The exact amount can change, so bring a little extra. Credit cards are not accepted at the visa counter.
No, the visa on arrival is not extendable. You must leave Ghana before it expires. If you need a longer stay, you must apply for a different visa type before traveling.
You will likely be denied boarding by the airline or refused entry at immigration. Renew your passport before traveling.
Yes, Ghana requires proof of yellow fever vaccination for all arriving passengers. You'll need to show the yellow card (International Certificate of Vaccination) at immigration. Without it, you may be vaccinated on arrival or fined.
No, the visa on arrival is only available at Kotoka International Airport in Accra. If you're entering by land from a neighboring country, you must have a visa issued beforehand.
The standard stay is up to 30 days. The exact duration will be stamped in your passport at the airport. Overstaying can result in fines or deportation.
Report the loss immediately to the nearest police station and contact the Austrian Embassy in Accra. They can issue an emergency travel document. You'll also need to get an exit visa from Ghana Immigration to leave.

Official sources

Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on May 15, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.