Ghanaian passport holders can now travel to the Maldives, Zambia, and Antigua and Barbuda without obtaining entry visas, following the ratification and entry into force of visa waiver agreements between Ghana and the three countries. Editorial Ethics & Independence
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the development in a public notice dated September 8, 2026, describing the new arrangements as part of efforts to facilitate international travel for Ghanaian citizens and deepen Ghana’s bilateral relations with partner countries.
The visa waiver agreements cover holders of Ghanaian ordinary, service and diplomatic passports, making the new arrangements applicable across all three passport categories.
According to the Ministry, “eligible Ghanaian passport holders may travel to these countries without obtaining an entry visa, subject to the terms and conditions of the respective agreements.”However, the maximum period that Ghanaian travellers can remain in each destination differs.
Those travelling to the Maldives and Zambia will be permitted to stay for a maximum of 30 days, while travellers visiting Antigua and Barbuda can stay for up to 90 days.
The distinction in permitted stay periods is an important part of the new arrangements, as visa-free access does not mean that travellers can remain indefinitely or without complying with the immigration rules of the destination country.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has therefore advised Ghanaians planning to use the new visa waiver arrangements to familiarise themselves with the specific entry conditions applicable to their destination before travelling. Editorial Standards
Travellers must carry a valid passport and any other documents required by the relevant immigration authorities. They must also ensure that they do not exceed the approved period of stay.
The Ministry stressed that the visa exemption should not be interpreted as a complete removal of immigration requirements.
Destination countries may still impose conditions relating to passport validity, proof of accommodation, onward or return travel, health requirements and other entry procedures.
Ghanaians travelling for purposes that require specific authorisation are also not automatically covered simply because they hold a passport eligible for visa-free entry.
The Ministry clarified that individuals travelling for employment, study, residence or other activities requiring specific authorisation must obtain the appropriate approval before travelling.
This means that a Ghanaian traveller visiting one of the three countries for a short permitted stay may benefit from the visa waiver, but someone intending to take up employment, pursue studies or establish residence would need to comply with the separate requirements governing those activities.
Travellers have consequently been advised to confirm the latest entry, health and other applicable requirements with the relevant authorities before departure. Newscard
The Ministry also encouraged travellers to consult Ghana’s nearest embassy or high commission in the destination country where necessary, particularly because immigration and health requirements can change over time.
The new agreements are expected to make short-term travel more convenient for eligible Ghanaian passport holders by removing the need to obtain an entry visa before travelling to the three destinations, subject to the conditions of each agreement.
For tourists and other eligible short-term visitors, the arrangements could reduce some of the administrative requirements associated with international travel and provide greater flexibility when planning trips.
The Maldives, an island nation in the Indian Ocean, is known for its tourism industry and attracts visitors from around the world.
Zambia, in southern Africa, has strong tourism and business links across the region, while Antigua and Barbuda is a Caribbean state recognised for its tourism and international connections.
Beyond facilitating travel, the agreements form part of Ghana’s broader diplomatic engagement with other countries.
The Ministry said the arrangements demonstrate Ghana’s continued efforts to strengthen bilateral relations while making it easier for its citizens to move internationally for permitted short-term purposes.It said it “remains committed to facilitating the movement of Ghanaian citizens and strengthening Ghana’s bilateral relations with partner countries.”The announcement also places greater responsibility on travellers to understand the conditions attached to visa-free entry.
Visa waiver arrangements provide an exemption from the requirement to obtain an entry visa, but they do not override the authority of immigration officials at a destination’s border.
Ghanaian travellers should therefore ensure that their travel documents are valid, that they meet the applicable entry conditions and that their intended activities fall within the scope of the visa waiver.
The key difference under the new arrangements is the permitted duration of stay. Ghanaian ordinary, service and diplomatic passport holders travelling to the Maldives or Zambia may stay for up to 30 days, while those travelling to Antigua and Barbuda may stay for up to 90 days, subject to the respective countries’ entry requirements.
The Ministry’s advice for travellers is consequently straightforward, confirm the latest requirements before departure, carry the necessary documents and comply fully with the authorised period of stay.
The new visa waiver arrangements mark another step in Ghana’s efforts to facilitate international mobility for its citizens while strengthening diplomatic and bilateral ties with countries across different regions of the world.