The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has dismissed reports suggesting that Ghana has been blacklisted from Saudi Arabia’s electronic visa (e-visa) system, describing such claims as false and clarifying that Ghana’s current exclusion from the programme does not constitute a diplomatic restriction or punitive action.
The Ministry explained that Ghana’s absence from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s tourist e-visa programme is not unique, noting that only a limited number of countries globally currently qualify for the facility. It stressed that eligibility for inclusion in the programme is determined solely by the Government of Saudi Arabia under its sovereign visa policy framework.
According to the Ministry, Ghana’s exclusion does not reflect any diplomatic failure or policy omission by the Government of Ghana, as the criteria and list of eligible countries are established exclusively by Saudi authorities.
“The Ministry wishes to state that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s tourist e-visa programme is implemented under the Government of Saudi Arabia’s sovereign visa policy framework. The eligibility criteria and the list of countries whose nationals qualify for the electronic visa programme are determined solely by the Saudi authorities and do not reflect any diplomatic failure or policy omission on the part of the Government of Ghana,” the Ministry stated.
The Ministry further clarified that Ghana cannot unilaterally influence decisions regarding the inclusion of countries in Saudi Arabia’s visa programme, adding that the absence of Ghana from the e-visa list does not prevent Ghanaian citizens from travelling to the Kingdom.
“The absence of Ghana from the tourist e-visa list does not mean that Ghanaian nationals are prohibited from travelling to Saudi Arabia or have been blacklisted. Ghanaian citizens continue to have access to the standard visa application process for travel to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” it added.
The Ministry noted that Saudi Arabia’s e-visa programme currently covers a limited number of countries, with eligibility largely concentrated among advanced economies and selected strategic partners. The list includes members of the G20, European Union countries, and other states granted access under Saudi Arabia’s visa policy.
The African Union (AU), which became a permanent member of the G20 in September 2023 during the G20 Leaders’ Summit in New Delhi under India’s presidency, has also increased Africa’s representation in global economic governance. However, only three African countries : South Africa, Mauritius, and Seychelles are currently included in Saudi Arabia’s tourist e-visa programme.
The Ministry emphasised that Ghana’s situation is not unique on the continent, pointing out that several major African economies, including Nigeria, Egypt, Kenya, and Morocco, are also not currently included among the countries eligible for Saudi Arabia’s e-visa facility.
However, Ghanaian travellers who hold valid and previously used commercial or tourist visas issued by the United States, the United Kingdom, or a Schengen Area country may qualify for Saudi Arabia’s electronic visa facility under existing eligibility arrangements.
The Ministry therefore urged Ghanaians travelling to Saudi Arabia for business, tourism, visits, or religious purposes, including Umrah, to continue using the regular consular visa application process, which remains fully operational.
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