A recent U.S. government report on visa overstays for 2023 reveals that 1,910 Ghanaians who were issued B1/B2 visas overstayed their permits, representing a 7.50% overstay rate.
This report by Customs and Border Protection highlights the issue of visa violations during the period from October 2022 to September 2023.
The data shows that out of the 25,454 B1/B2 visas issued to Ghanaians, 1,910 individuals overstayed, while 537 out of 2,559 F, M, and J visas (issued to students and exchange visitors) also resulted in overstays, accounting for a significant 21% rate.
The report, which provides a breakdown of visa violations, also notes that Ghana’s overstay rate has risen since 2019, when it stood at 5.09% for B1/B2 visas and 12.7% for student visas. This trend of increasing overstays contrasts with Nigeria’s historically higher overstay rates.
In comparison, Nigeria saw 6,000 overstays from 84,051 B1/B2 visas, with a 7.14% abuse rate. The overstay rates for students and exchange visitors in Nigeria were lower, at 15.60%, compared to Ghana’s 21%.
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) classifies overstays into “Suspected In-Country Overstays,” where no departure is recorded, and “Out-of-Country Overstays,” where the individual leaves after the visa expires. The report emphasizes the complexities of determining overstays, accounting for extensions or changes in visa status.
Other African countries like Mali, Ivory Coast, and Togo also showed varying overstay rates, with Ghana’s numbers placing it among the countries with significant challenges in visa compliance.