The United States Embassy in Accra has cautioned Ghanaians planning to travel to the United States for the 2026 World Cup to strictly respect U.S. immigration laws, particularly by not overstaying their visas.
While announcing the opening of thousands of new visa appointment slots, the Embassy stressed that compliance with approved periods of stay is essential and that overstays will not be tolerated.
Addressing the press on Friday, February 20, Chargé d’Affaires Rolf Olson said the expanded visa appointment window is open to all visitor visa applicants, including those intending to attend the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
He encouraged prospective travellers to apply early but underscored the responsibility that comes with being granted a visa.
“I’m going to be clear about this, as of today, February 20, we have added tens of thousands of people to the World Cup, and indeed, we have lots of appointments available now. We’ve been putting out the message on social media, radio, and now I’m here today to help everyone hold that message.
“We recognise that there is a little bit of frustration with the extended wait time, not a decent 30%, yes.
“Today, I’m happy to say that thanks to this surge in council personnel, we have the visitor visa plan available next week, and the week after, and the week after that. And everyone benefits from this increased visa plan availability, so whether you’ve been planning to book your appointment or whether or not you can bring an existing appointment forward, which you can do, do it now,” he said.
However, Mr. Olson made it clear that obtaining a visa does not automatically guarantee entry into the United States or determine how long a visitor can stay.
“I think it’s important to clarify something. Every country has its immigration practices in place, and there’s a certain truth about that. It’s really incumbent upon every visitor to respect the laws of the country they’re in. And that’s both in terms of the conduct of the country as well as how long they are in the state. Now, in our case, there’s an understanding of the distinction; the visa itself is a permission to apply for entry at the border.
“So the visa allows you to get on a plane. Without the visa, the airline won’t let you travel. When you get to the border at the airport, it’s the customs border patrol officer who then officially gives you entry. It is that individual who will determine how long you have to stay. Now, the visa itself doesn’t range a specific amount of time. It’s that officer who has that.”
He explained that U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the port of entry make the final decision on admission and length of stay, and travellers are expected to depart before their authorised stay expires.
The Embassy also clarified that there will be no special visa procedures or expedited processes specifically for World Cup applicants, noting that existing measures are sufficient to ensure smooth processing.
Applicants who have not yet booked appointments — as well as those seeking to reschedule to earlier dates — were advised to act promptly, as appointment capacity is limited.
The Embassy reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with the Government of Ghana to facilitate lawful travel for the tournament, while reminding all travellers that respecting visa conditions is key to maintaining future travel opportunities.
