Ghana not blacklisted by Saudi Arabia, says Foreign Affairs Ministry
Clarifies that Ghanaians can still apply for Saudi visas through the embassy and VFS
Accra, August 6, 2026 –
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has dismissed claims that Saudi Arabia has “blacklisted” Ghana from its tourist e-visa programme, saying the Kingdom’s visa policy is based on its own sovereign criteria and not a diplomatic snub.
In a press statement issued in Accra on Wednesday, the Ministry said it was addressing misinformation circulating on social media that “Saudi Arabia blacklists Ghana for E-visa.”
According to the statement, Saudi Arabia’s tourist e-visa system is implemented under the government’s sovereign visa policy framework. The list of 66 countries eligible for the electronic visa is determined solely by Saudi authorities.
“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 explained that the 66 eligible countries are predominantly G20 nations, North American countries, EU Member States, and selected high-income economies in Asia.
It noted that Ghana’s exclusion is not unique. Most African countries are not on the list. Currently, only South Africa, Mauritius and Seychelles from Africa qualify. Ghana therefore shares the same status as Nigeria, Egypt, Kenya and Morocco. The Ministry was emphatic that Ghanaians are not barred from travelling to Saudi Arabia.
“The absence of Ghana from the e-visa list does not imply that Ghanaian nationals are prohibited from traveling to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” it said.
“Ghanaian citizens continue to have access to the standard visa application process for travel to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”
Applicants can do so through the Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Accra or at an authorized VFS Tasheer Service Centre.
The Ministry also highlighted an alternative option: Ghanaian passport holders with a valid, previously used US, UK, or Schengen visa can apply directly for a visa on arrival or an e-visa, provided they travel via a Saudi national carrier — Saudia or Flynas — and subject to Saudi regulations.
It added that channels for tourism, business, family visits, and Umrah remain fully operational through the regular consular visa process. The Ministry urged the public to rely only on official sources for visa information and to disregard “inaccurate claims on social media.”
It further noted that decisions on Saudi immigration, border security and digital visa systems fall within the exclusive sovereign jurisdiction of the Kingdom.
Read the full statement below:
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