Business Visa: Timeline for Nigerians ₦198,639
Processing time for the Business Visa for Nigerian applicants is 1–2 weeks. Below is what to expect at each stage, plus the verified fees you pay along the way.
Business Visa fees — verified breakdown
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Visa application fee | ₦198,639 (~$145 USD) |
| Proof of funds (your own savings)Refundable to you | ₦1,323,860 (~$969 USD) |
| Health surcharge | ₦0 (~$0 USD) |
| Language test (IELTS/TEF) | ₦0 (~$0 USD) |
| Credential evaluation | ₦0 (~$0 USD) |
| Total government fees | ₦198,639 (~$145 USD) |
Verified against official immigration authority schedule. Exchange rates as of 21 June 2026. Proof of funds is your own money — you do not pay it to the government.
What each fee covers
The ₦198,639 total is made up of several distinct charges. Here is what you are actually paying for:
- Visa application fee — ₦198,639: Paid to the Ghana immigration authority when you submit your application. Non-refundable regardless of the outcome.
- Proof of funds — ₦1,323,860: Your own savings — not paid to anyone. Must sit in your bank account, unencumbered, for typically 28–90 days before your application date.
Processing timeline
Total processing time: 1–2 weeks
- 1
Confirm eligibility
Check that you meet the Business Visa requirements before paying any fees.
- 2
Prepare documents
Passport, qualification certificates.
- 3
Pay fees
Pay ₦198,639 in government fees.
- 4
Submit application
Submit online or through the relevant embassy.
- 5
Wait for decision
Processing time: 1–2 weeks.
Expert tip
Business Visa
Nigerians technically don't need a business visa to enter Ghana thanks to ECOWAS, but if you're setting up a company, you'll need to register with the Registrar General's Department. The minimum investment for a joint venture with a Ghanaian partner is $200,000, while a wholly foreign-owned business requires $500,000. Retail trade requires $1,000,000. Many Nigerians start with a partnership to lower the threshold. Business registration itself costs about GH₵500–GH₵1,500 depending on the entity type.
Where Nigerians settle in Ghana
Once your Business Visa is approved, most Nigerians head to Accra or Kumasi. Here is what to budget for your first year:
- Accra: 1-bedroom rent ₦264,772/month · Lagos–Accra flights from ~$170 · Nigerian community: Very Large
- Kumasi: 1-bedroom rent ₦156,598/month · Lagos–Kumasi flights from ~$200 · Nigerian community: Medium
- Takoradi: 1-bedroom rent ₦211,769/month · Lagos–Takoradi flights from ~$220 · Nigerian community: Small
Life in Accra
Accra is where most Nigerians settle — East Legon, Cantonments, and Airport Residential are the go-to neighborhoods for the Nigerian community, with familiar food, churches, and businesses. A 1-bed apartment averages GH₵2,200/month ($200) in mid-range areas, but drops to GH₵1,200–1,500 in areas like Adenta or Spintex outer edges. You'll need GH₵10,000/month ($660) minimum for comfortable single living. MTN Mobile Money (MoMo) is essential — it's how Ghana runs. Internet averages 48 Mbps on fiber, and Accra is rapidly becoming a West African tech hub with 120+ tech hubs and incubators.
5% of Nigerians who use Japa Calculator choose Ghana as their destination. Average Japa Score: 78/100. Most common salary expectation among applicants: ₦200K–₦500K.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How much does the Business Visa cost for Nigerians moving to Ghana?
- Total government fees for the Business Visa are ₦198,639 (about $145). This covers the visa application fee, and any other applicable government charges.
- How long does Business Visa processing take from Nigeria?
- Processing time for the Business Visa is 1–2 weeks. Apply from the Ghana High Commission in Abuja or the Consulate in Lagos — book your appointment slot as early as possible, as backlogs frequently add 2–4 weeks beyond the official window.
- How much proof of funds do I need for the Business Visa?
- You need to show ₦1,323,860 ($969) in savings for the Business Visa. This money stays in your account — it is not paid to the government. Funds must be unencumbered: fixed deposits locked for a term or joint accounts with conditions may be queried by the officer.
- What documents do I need for the Business Visa application from Nigeria?
- Core documents include a valid Nigerian passport (6+ months validity), completed application form, recent passport photographs, and proof of eligibility for this visa category. Include 6 months of bank statements showing the ₦1,323,860 proof-of-funds requirement is consistently met.
Related guides
Sibling variants of this visa route and other ways into Ghana.
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Start Free CalculatorData methodology: Visa fees sourced from official immigration authority schedules. Naira conversions use live exchange rates from open.er-api.com (last updated 21 June 2026). All fees are subject to change with policy updates — verify with the official immigration website before applying. Last verified: 2026-06-02