Ghana’s Ambassador to the United States, Emmanuel Victor Smith, has moved to calm public concerns over recent announcements about changes to US visa processing. He assured Ghanaians that the measures will not disrupt short-term travel for business, tourism, or other non-immigrant purposes.
In a statement shared on his Facebook page on Thursday, January 15, 2026, Ambassador Smith explained that the United States’ temporary suspension of immigrant visa processing for some countries, including Ghana, does not apply to B1 and B2 visas, which are issued for short stays such as tourism, business, and commercial visits.
He stressed that while the suspension affects only immigrant visas, which are intended for long-term stays or residence, non-immigrant visa services remain fully in place and will continue without interruption.
The clarification comes after the US State Department announced that it would pause immigrant visa processing for nationals of several countries as part of a review of visa screening procedures under existing public charge rules.
Ambassador Smith’s assurance is expected to give hope to Ghanaians who had been worried that the pause might impact visits to the United States for family visits, tourism, conferences, or business meetings all of which are covered under the unaffected B1-B2 visa categories.