For the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the United States Embassy in Accra is urging Ghanaian travelers to strictly follow U.S. immigration rules particularly when it comes to visa overstays.
Speaking at a media briefing in Accra on Friday, U.S. Charge d’Affaires Rolf Olson stressed that fans travelling to support Ghana must leave the United States before their authorized stay expires.
The 2026 tournament to be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico will be the largest in football history, featuring 48 teams and 104 matches. With Ghana expected to participate, demand for U.S. visitor visas has increased significantly in recent weeks.
Mr. Olson clarified that a U.S. visa permits a traveler to board a flight and request entry, but it does not determine how long the person may remain in the country. That decision, he explained, is made by a Customs and Border Protection officer at the port of entry.
“For a B visa, the standard generally is six months, but it is not automatic,” he said.
He underscored the legal implications of overstaying.
“People who have exceeded the terms of their visa are breaking the law, and we will take that very seriously,” Mr Olson noted.
According to the Embassy, overstays can negatively affect future travel eligibility. Most B visas issued to Ghanaian applicants are valid for multiple entries over five years, although consular officers retain discretion to limit validity where necessary.
“Six months is a long time,” he said, noting that it provides sufficient time to attend matches, visit relatives or engage in tourism before returning home.
The warning comes as the Embassy expands visa processing capacity in Accra. Since mid-January, additional consular officers have been deployed, allowing hundreds of extra interview appointments each day and tens of thousands of visitor visa slots in the lead-up to the tournament. As of February 20, appointment availability has improved considerably compared to previous years, when waiting periods exceeded 12 months.
“There’s no reason to wait to apply for a B visa,” Mr Olson said, while cautioning that expanded capacity remains finite.
He also dismissed speculation about special visa arrangements for World Cup travelers, stating that all applicants must meet standard U.S. immigration requirements. Possessing a match ticket, he added, does not influence visa decisions.
On fraud prevention, the Charge d’Affaires warned applicants against intermediaries promising guaranteed approvals.
“You do not need to pay anyone to secure a visa,” he emphasized, stressing that only the official application fee is required.
Prospective travelers were further advised to ensure their passports meet U.S. validity requirements at least six months beyond the date of entry.