Our Regulator for today is the Ghana Immigration Service (“GIS”). GIS is governed by the Immigration Act, 2000 (ACT 573) (the “Act”)as amended, Immigration Service Act, 2016 (ACT 2016), Immigration Service Regulation, 2016 (L.I. 2245) and other law that pertains to citizenship and residency.
The core duty of the GIS is to administer and manage immigration in Ghana thereby contributing to national security. The GIS also manages and patrols the borders of Ghana and is responsible for the issuance of permits for residence and work in Ghana, among other things.
The following persons are required to register with the GIS:
- Foreign nationals who enter Ghana for the purposes of employment;
- Foreign nationals who enter Ghana for the purposes of residence; and
- Persons of African descent in the diaspora who seek to obtain residency or become citizens
Furthermore, Ghanaian citizens who by reason of acquiring foreign nationality have lost their Ghanaian citizenship, or persons of African descent in the diaspora, may apply for a Right of Abode for an indefinite residence status or to remain in Ghana indefinitely.
It is worthy to note that persons who work or reside in Ghana without permit, or persons who enter or exit Ghana illegally and in contravention to the provision of the Act or GIS regulations are liable to deportation, a fine up to 5million Ghana Cedis and/or a term of imprisonment up to 12 years.
