The Ghanaian government has dismissed claims that Saudi Arabia has blacklisted the country from its electronic tourist visa programme, stressing that Ghana’s exclusion is part of Saudi Arabia’s sovereign visa policy and not the result of any diplomatic dispute.
In a press statement issued on Thursday, 6 August, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said reports circulating on social media alleging that Saudi Arabia had blacklisted Ghana for its e-visa programme were false and misleading.
According to the Ministry, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia independently determines the countries eligible for its tourist e-visa scheme under its national immigration and border security policies. It noted that the list currently covers 66 countries, consisting mainly of G20 nations, North American countries, European Union member states and selected high-income Asian economies.
The Ministry emphasised that Ghana’s exclusion is not unique, as the majority of African countries are also not included in the programme. It explained that only South Africa, Mauritius and Seychelles currently qualify among African nations, while countries such as Nigeria, Egypt, Kenya and Morocco are likewise excluded.
It further stated that decisions relating to Saudi Arabia’s immigration, border security and digital visa systems fall exclusively within the jurisdiction of the Saudi government, adding that Ghana has no authority to determine or influence which countries are included in the electronic visa programme.
The Ministry also clarified that Ghanaian citizens have not been barred from travelling to Saudi Arabia. Instead, travellers can continue to obtain visas through the regular application process by applying at the Saudi Arabian Embassy in Accra or through an authorised VFS Tasheer Service Centre.
In addition, it noted that eligible Ghanaian passport holders who possess a valid and previously used commercial or tourist visa issued by the United States, the United Kingdom or a Schengen country may qualify to apply for a Saudi visa on arrival or an electronic visa, provided they travel on a Saudi national carrier, namely Saudia or Flynas, and satisfy the Kingdom’s prevailing regulations.
The Ministry reassured the public that established visa channels for tourism, business, family visits and Umrah remain fully operational.
It urged prospective travellers to rely only on official sources for visa information and to disregard misinformation circulating on social media and other unofficial platforms claiming that Ghana has been blacklisted from Saudi Arabia’s e-visa programme.
