Ghana Not Blacklisted by Saudi Arabia, Says Foreign Affairs Ministry
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has clarified that Ghana has not been blacklisted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for its tourist e-visa programme.
According to the Ministry, the absence of Ghana from the list does not mean Ghanaians are prohibited from travelling to the country.
In a press statement issued on 6th August 2026, the Ministry said the clarification was necessary to address misinformation circulating that “Saudi Arabia blacklists Ghana for E-visa.”
According to the Ministry, Saudi Arabia’s tourist e-visa programme is implemented under the Kingdom’s sovereign visa policy framework.
The eligibility criteria and the list of countries whose nationals qualify are determined solely by Saudi authorities and do not reflect any diplomatic failure or policy omission on the part of the Government of Ghana.
The statement explained that Saudi Arabia currently extends its tourist e-visa facility to a selected list of 66 countries, comprising predominantly G20 nations, North American countries, Member States of the European Union, and selected high-income economies in Asia.
Ghana’s exclusion is therefore not unique, as most African countries are also not included.
At present, only South Africa, Mauritius and Seychelles are among the African countries eligible for the programme. Ghana shares this status with several other African countries including Nigeria, Egypt, Kenya and Morocco.
The Ministry emphasised that decisions regarding Saudi Arabia’s immigration, border security and digital visa systems fall within the exclusive sovereign jurisdiction of the Kingdom, and consequently the Government of Ghana cannot unilaterally influence or determine the countries eligible under the electronic visa programme.
It further stated that the absence of Ghana from the tourist e-visa list does not mean Ghanaian nationals are prohibited from travelling to Saudi Arabia.
Ghanaian citizens continue to have access to the standard visa application process and may obtain the appropriate visa by submitting applications through the Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Accra or through an authorised VFS Tasheer Service Centre.
The Ministry added that eligible Ghanaian passport holders who possess a valid and previously used commercial or tourist visa issued by the United States of America, the United Kingdom or a Schengen State are, subject to prevailing Saudi regulations, eligible to apply directly for a Saudi visa on arrival or an electronic visa provided they travel via a Saudi National Carrier such as Saudia or Flynas.
The Ministry reassured the public that established channels for Ghanaians travelling to Saudi Arabia for tourism, business, family visits, or Umrah remain fully operational through the regular consular visa application process.
It urged prospective travellers to obtain visa information only from official sources and to disregard inaccurate information circulating on social media or other unofficial platforms.
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