Ghana’s Ambassador to the United States, Mr. Emmanuel Victor Smith, has clarified that the temporary suspension announced by American authorities does not apply to non-immigrant visas issued to Ghanaians.

The clarification follows growing public concern after the US government announced plans to temporarily halt immigrant visa processing for citizens of several countries.

Ghana is among 75 countries listed in the directive, alongside Nigeria and other nations across Africa, Asia, Europe and the Caribbean.

According to Ambassador Smith, the policy has been misinterpreted in some quarters, particularly among individuals planning short-term travel to the United States.

He explained that business and tourism visas (B1 and B2) are not affected by the suspension and remain available to Ghanaian applicants.

The US government’s decision is linked to an ongoing review of visa screening systems, rooted in the application of long-standing “public charge” rules, which assess whether immigrant visa applicants are likely to become dependent on public welfare systems in the United States.

Information from the US State Department indicates that the temporary halt will take effect on January 21, with no specified end date, as consular officers reassess evaluation procedures used in immigrant visa processing.

In a public statement issued on Thursday, January 15, 2026, Ambassador Smith emphasised that the directive is limited in scope and does not extend to non-immigrant travel documentation.

He said confirmation from the US State Department shows that applications for B1 and B2 visas will continue to be processed, while only immigrant visas are subject to the pause.

“The US State Department confirms that B1-B2 visas will continue.

Only immigrant visas are being paused,” the Ambassador stated.

Countries listed under the suspension span multiple regions and include Ghana, Nigeria, Somalia, Russia, Afghanistan, Brazil, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Thailand and Yemen, among others.

The Ambassador’s clarification is expected to ease concerns among Ghanaians intending to travel to the United States for business, tourism or short-term visits, as it clearly distinguishes between immigrant and non-immigrant visa categories.