Moving to the UK from Ghana: Complete Guide
Ghana has strong historical and cultural ties to the UK as a Commonwealth nation. Ghanaian nationals move to the UK primarily through family reunion and student routes. This guide covers the specific requirements for Ghanaian applicants, including document legalisation, police clearance, and the financial evidence needed.
- Section
- Moving to the UK From...
- Reading time
- 13 min
- Last checked
- 3 September 2026
- Source
- The published Immigration Rules and GOV.UK guidance, linked throughout this guide.
- Rowan does not
- Look at your own case, tell you which route to choose, or say what the Home Office will decide. This guide shows the published rules and where to read them.
In short
- Ghana is a visa national country: every visit needs a visa, not the £20 electronic travel authorisation.
- A tuberculosis test is needed for a stay of 6 months or more, at a Home Office approved clinic. GOV.UK lists clinics in Accra and Kumasi.
- Ghanaian documents are legalised through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Ghana is not in the Hague Apostille Convention.
- Ghana is NOT on the majority English-speaking country list despite English being the official language.
- The Ancestry visa is open to Ghanaians with a UK-born grandparent: £726, granted for 5 years.
- Care worker and senior care worker jobs cannot be sponsored from outside the UK.
Ghana is on the UK's visa national list, so a Ghanaian citizen needs a visa for every trip to the UK, including a short visit. As a Commonwealth country with English as its official language (though not on the Home Office list of majority English-speaking countries), Ghana has a distinctive set of requirements. This guide covers the visa routes, document legalisation through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ghana Police Service clearance, the tuberculosis test, and the fees the Home Office publishes.
Visiting Rather Than Moving
Ghana is on the UK's visa national list, so a Ghanaian citizen needs a visa for every trip to the UK, however short. The £20 electronic travel authorisation that many other nationalities use for visits is not available to visa nationals. A Standard Visitor visa costs £135 for 6 months.
Most Common Visa Routes for Ghanaian Nationals
Spouse and Family Visa
The Spouse visa is one of the most common routes for Ghanaians joining family in the UK. The Ghanaian community in the UK is well established, and family reunion is a significant migration pattern. The UK sponsor must meet the £29,000 financial requirement. You need genuine relationship evidence and must pass the English language test at A1 level.
For customary marriages in Ghana, ensure the marriage is registered with the Registrar General's Department. Unregistered customary marriages may not be recognised for visa purposes. If you had an ordinance (church or civil) marriage, obtain the marriage certificate from the Registrar General.
Student Visa
The Student visa is popular with Ghanaian applicants, particularly for postgraduate courses in business, law, and health sciences. You need a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from a licensed UK institution and must demonstrate sufficient funds. After your degree, the Graduate route allows 2 years of work (3 years for PhD) if you apply on or before 31 December 2026; for applications on or after 1 January 2027 it is 18 months (still 3 years for PhD).
Skilled Worker Visa
The Skilled Worker visa is growing in use by Ghanaian professionals, particularly in healthcare, education, and IT. You need a Certificate of Sponsorship and must meet the salary threshold of £41,700 a year, or the going rate for the occupation code if that is higher. Since 22 July 2025 a new applicant's job must also be at graduate level (RQF level 6). The Immigration Salary List can lower the salary threshold and the application fee, but not the going rate.
The Health and Care Worker variant costs £324 for up to 3 years and £628 for more than 3 years, and GOV.UK says the holder, their partner and their children do not pay the healthcare surcharge. Care work is the exception to watch: GOV.UK lists care worker (occupation code 6135) and senior care worker (code 6136) only for people extending, updating or switching a visa inside the UK. Those two jobs cannot be sponsored on an application made from Ghana.
Ancestry Visa
Ghana is a Commonwealth country, so the Ancestry visa is open to Ghanaian citizens who have a grandparent born in the UK, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, or in Ireland before 31 March 1922. It costs £726 and is granted for 5 years, with no sponsor needed.
Ghanaian Document Requirements
Ministry of Foreign Affairs Legalisation
Ghana is not a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. Documents must be legalised through the traditional route:
- Obtain original documents. Get certificates from the relevant issuing authority (Births and Deaths Registry, Registrar General, educational institution).
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) authentication. Submit documents to the MFA in Accra for official authentication. The MFA stamps the document to confirm it is genuine.
- British High Commission legalisation. After MFA authentication, some documents may need further legalisation by the British High Commission in Accra.
- Certified translation. Most Ghanaian official documents are in English, so translation is usually not required. Documents in local languages need certified English translation.
Ghana Police Service Clearance
Apply for a police clearance certificate at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service at the National Police Headquarters in Accra:
- Bring your passport and two passport photographs.
- Have your fingerprints taken at the CID office.
- Pay the processing fee set by the Ghana Police Service.
- The Ghana Police Service publishes no processing time, so this guide gives none.
GOV.UK asks for an overseas criminal record certificate on a Skilled Worker application made from outside the UK for a job in education, healthcare, therapy or social services. It is not part of a settlement or citizenship application.
Birth and Marriage Certificates
Birth certificates are issued by the Births and Deaths Registry. If you do not have a birth certificate (common for older Ghanaians or those born in rural areas), you may need to obtain a late registration. This process takes several weeks and requires supporting evidence such as a baptismal certificate, school records, or sworn affidavits from family members.
Marriage certificates for ordinance marriages are issued by the Registrar General. For customary marriages, register the marriage and obtain a certificate. Islamic marriages should also be registered where possible.
Tuberculosis Test Requirement
Ghana is on the Home Office list of countries where a tuberculosis test is needed. If you are coming to the UK for 6 months or more, get a certificate before you apply. The test is a chest X-ray, and it must be done at a clinic the Home Office has approved: GOV.UK publishes the list of approved clinics in Ghana, which covers Accra and Kumasi. The certificate is valid for 6 months from the date of the X-ray. The clinics set their own price, so this guide gives none.
English Language Requirement
Despite English being Ghana's official language, Ghana is not on the Home Office list of majority English-speaking countries. You must pass a approved secure English language test unless you hold a degree taught in English from a recognised institution. For a new Skilled Worker application the level has been B2 since 8 January 2026. A first partner visa is A1.
IELTS for UKVI is available in Accra through the British Council. PTE Academic is also available. GOV.UK publishes no price for an English language test; the test providers set their own.
Visa Application Centre in Ghana
After completing your online application on GOV.UK, book a biometric appointment at the VFS Global centre:
- Accra: The main (and currently only) UK visa application centre in Ghana, with full services.
Priority processing is available for some categories at an additional fee.
Processing Times from Ghana
- Skilled Worker visa: usually within 3 weeks (standard)
- Student visa: usually within 3 weeks (standard)
- Spouse visa: usually within 12 weeks
- Visitor visa: usually within 3 weeks
Processing can take longer if the Home Office initiates document verification through the British High Commission in Accra. See our spouse visa processing time guide for more information.
What It Costs
The Home Office publishes its fees in pounds. It does not publish a cedi price, and the exchange rate it applies is the rate on the day you pay, so this guide gives no cedi conversion.
- Partner (spouse) visa: £2,064
- Skilled Worker visa, applying from outside the UK: £819 for 3 years or less, £1,618 for more than 3 years
- Student visa: £558
- Health and Care Worker visa: £324 for up to 3 years, £628 for more than 3 years
- Ancestry visa: £726
- Standard Visitor visa: £135 for 6 months
- Healthcare surcharge: £1,035 a year, or £776 a year for students, their dependants and anyone under 18. Health and Care Worker visa holders and their family do not pay it
The tuberculosis test clinics and the English language test providers set their own prices, and GOV.UK publishes none, so this guide gives none.
See our UK visa fees guide for a full breakdown.
Common Issues for Ghanaian Applicants
- Birth registration gaps. Many Ghanaians, especially those born in rural areas or before the 2000s, do not have birth certificates. Late registration is possible but takes time. Start this process early if you do not already have a registered birth certificate.
- Customary marriage recognition. Customary marriages must be registered with the Registrar General to be recognised for UK visa purposes. An unregistered customary marriage may not be accepted as evidence of a genuine marriage.
- Financial evidence scrutiny. The Home Office examines Ghanaian bank statements carefully. Use a reputable bank, ensure statements are clearly printed and cover the required period, and include a bank confirmation letter. Large unexplained deposits will raise concerns.
- Visa refusal history. If you have previously been refused a UK visa, declare it and address the reasons in your new application. See our visa refusal guide.
- Document processing times. Allow extra time for police clearance, MFA authentication, and birth/marriage certificate registration. These processes can each take several weeks in Ghana.
Practical Tips for Moving from Ghana
Flights
Direct flights from Accra (Kotoka International Airport) to London Heathrow are operated by British Airways. Flight time is approximately 6.5 hours. Connecting flights via other West African hubs or European cities are also available.
Ghanaian Community in the UK
Ghanaian communities in the UK are concentrated in London (particularly Tottenham, Brixton, Lewisham, Croydon and Thornton Heath), Milton Keynes and Manchester. Ghanaian churches, cultural organisations and community groups provide strong support networks, and Ghana Independence Day celebrations are a regular feature in London and other cities. The Home Office does not publish a count of Ghanaian nationals resident in the UK, so this guide gives none.
First Steps After Arrival
- Set up your eVisa through your UK Visas and Immigration account (biometric residence permits are no longer issued).
- Apply for a National Insurance number.
- Register with a GP.
- Open a bank account.
- Register for Council Tax.
Path to Settlement and Citizenship
Most work and family visa routes lead to settlement (indefinite leave to remain) after 5 years. You must pass the Life in the UK test and meet the B1 English requirement, which rises to B2 for settlement applications made on or after 26 March 2027. After settlement, you can apply for British citizenship after 12 months. Settlement costs £3,226 and naturalisation £1,709, plus £130 for the citizenship ceremony.
The UK allows dual citizenship. Whether Ghana does is a matter of Ghanaian law, and the Home Office's own nationality guidance says to check with the country of which you are a citizen before applying.
Next Steps
Confirm your visa route, get documents in order (especially birth registration if needed), and book your TB test and English language test early.
For official information, visit GOV.UK.
Related guides:
Questions and answers
Do Ghanaian citizens need a visa to visit the UK?
Yes. Ghana is on the UK's visa national list, so a Ghanaian citizen needs a visa for every visit, however short. The £20 electronic travel authorisation is not available to visa nationals. A Standard Visitor visa costs £135 for 6 months.
Do Ghanaian citizens need a TB test for a UK visa?
Yes. Ghana is on the Home Office list of countries where a tuberculosis test is needed before you apply to come to the UK for 6 months or more. The test must be done at a clinic approved by the Home Office; GOV.UK lists approved clinics in Accra and Kumasi. The certificate is valid for 6 months from the date of the chest X-ray.
How do I get a Ghana Police Service clearance?
Apply to the Ghana Police Service Criminal Investigation Department (CID) at the National Police Headquarters in Accra. You need your passport and photographs, and fingerprints are taken at the time of application. The Ghana Police Service publishes no processing time, so this guide gives none. GOV.UK asks for an overseas criminal record certificate on a Skilled Worker application made from outside the UK for a job in education, healthcare, therapy or social services.
Is Ghana a majority English-speaking country for UK visa purposes?
No. English is Ghana's official language, but Ghana is not on the Home Office list of majority English-speaking countries. Ghanaian applicants need an approved secure English language test unless they hold a degree taught in English that the Home Office recognises. For a new Skilled Worker application the level has been B2 since 8 January 2026; a first partner visa is A1.
How long does visa processing take from Ghana?
GOV.UK gives a standard service of 3 weeks for a Skilled Worker or Student visa decided outside the UK, and 12 weeks for a partner (spouse) visa. These are service standards, not guarantees, and a decision can take longer if the Home Office runs verification checks.
How much does it cost to move to the UK from Ghana?
The Home Office publishes its fees in pounds and applies its own exchange rate on the day you pay, so this guide gives no cedi conversion. A Student visa costs £558. A partner (spouse) visa costs £2,064. A Skilled Worker visa applied for from outside the UK costs £819 for 3 years or less and £1,618 for more than 3 years. Most routes also pay the healthcare surcharge of £1,035 a year, or £776 a year for students, their dependants and anyone under 18.
Can Ghanaians apply for the UK Ancestry visa?
Ghana is a Commonwealth country, so the Ancestry visa is open to Ghanaian citizens who have a grandparent born in the UK, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, or in Ireland before 31 March 1922. The visa costs £726 and is granted for 5 years.
This guide is general information about published immigration rules. It is not advice about an individual application under s.82 Immigration and Asylum Act 1999, and Rowan is not regulated by the Immigration Advice Authority. Immigration rules change several times a year. For advice on a particular situation, contact an adviser authorised by the Immigration Advice Authority or an immigration solicitor. Always check GOV.UK for the authoritative current rules.