Planning a trip to Ghana or need help with official documents? The Embassy of Ghana in Washington, DC is your primary resource for consular services in the United States. The Embassy is located at 3512 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008. It provides essential services including visa applications, passport renewals, and official documentation for Ghanaian citizens and visitors.
When you need to contact the Embassy, you have several options. You can call them directly at (202) 686-4520 or reach out via email at [email protected]. The Embassy maintains an active online presence. This includes a Facebook page. You can find updates about events, announcements, and changes to services there.
If you’re located in New York, you should know that Ghana also maintains a Consulate General in New York City. It is at 19 East 47th Street. This office provides similar services to the Washington Embassy. It is more convenient depending on where you live in the USA.
Consular Services Offered
The Embassy of Ghana in Washington DC provides several essential services for Ghanaian citizens and those traveling to Ghana. These services include visa processing, passport issuance, and documentation assistance.
Visa Application Process
To obtain a Ghanaian visa, you must finish the application through the official VISA AND PASSPORT APPLICATION SUPPORT CENTER. The process begins by filling out the online application form with your personal information and travel details.
After submitting your application, you’ll need to pay the appropriate visa fee. Fees vary depending on the type of visa (tourist, business, etc.) and processing time you select.
Processing times typically range from 5-10 business days for standard service. If you need your visa more quickly, expedited services are available for an extra fee.
You can track your application status online using the reference number provided during submission. Once approved, you can collect your visa in person. Alternatively, it can be returned via mail if you paid for return postage.
Documentation and Requirements
For a successful visa application, you must give several key documents:
Required Documents:
- Valid passport with at least 6 months validity beyond your intended stay
- Completed visa application form
- Recent passport-sized photographs (2)
- Proof of travel arrangements (flight itinerary)
- Proof of accommodation in Ghana
- Proof of financial means to support your stay
Extra Requirements:
- Business visa: Letter of invitation from Ghanaian company
- Tourist visa: Travel itinerary and hotel reservations
- Student visa: Acceptance letter from Ghanaian educational institution
All documents must be original or certified copies. Incomplete applications will delay processing or result in rejection. The embassy requests extra documentation depending on your specific circumstances.
Passport Services
The Ghana Embassy offers comprehensive passport application services for Ghanaian citizens residing in the United States. You can apply for a new passport, renew an existing one, or ask for an emergency travel document.
To apply for a passport, you must finish the online application form and send it with supporting documents including:
- Birth certificate
- Proof of Ghanaian citizenship
- Old passport (for renewals)
- Passport photos meeting specific requirements
Biometric data collection is required for all passport applications. You must schedule an appointment for biometric capture at the embassy.
Standard passport processing takes approximately 4-6 weeks. Emergency passport services are available for urgent situations but need extra documentation proving the emergency nature of your demand.
The embassy also offers Ghana Card registration services for Ghanaian citizens, which is increasingly important for accessing various governmental services.
Contact and Location Information
The Ghana Embassy in Washington DC provides several ways for visitors to reach them. You can find all essential contact details, directions, and operating hours below to make your visit or communication efficient.
Getting to the Consulate
The Embassy of Ghana is located at 3512 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008. This location places it in the northwestern part of Washington DC, in an area where many diplomatic missions are situated.
Public transportation is available near the embassy. The closest Metro stations are a short walk away, making it accessible for those who prefer not to drive.
If you’re driving, limited parking is available near the embassy building. Consider using rideshare services or taxis if parking is a concern.
When planning your visit, allow extra time for security procedures. All visitors must pass through security screening before entering the embassy grounds.
Remember to bring proper identification, as you’ll need to show it to security personnel.
Hours of Operation
The Ghana Embassy in Washington DC maintains standard working hours for consular services. The office typically operates Monday through Friday, excluding Ghanaian and American public holidays.
Regular business hours are generally between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM. Consular services are often available from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
Document submission and collection usually have specific time frames within these hours. Check the embassy website before your visit to confirm current hours.
Visa and passport processing services have different schedules than general inquiries. Some services need appointments made in advance.
Emergency consular assistance is available outside regular hours through special contact channels provided on their website.
Communication Channels
You can reach the Ghana Embassy through multiple communication ways. Their main telephone numbers are 202-686-4520 and 202-244-2280 for general inquiries and consular matters.
For email communication, you can contact them at [email protected]. Email responses typically take 1-3 business days depending on the nature of your inquiry.
The embassy maintains an official Facebook page with over 34,000 followers. They post updates about events, announcements, and important information for Ghanaians in the USA.
For specific departments, separate contact information is provided on their website. Consular services often have dedicated phone lines for visa and passport inquiries.
When sending documents electronically, use the official email addresses provided on their website. This ensures your information reaches the correct department.
Diplomatic Relations and Activities
The Ghana Embassy in Washington, DC maintains strong diplomatic ties with the United States while promoting Ghana’s interests. Their diplomatic work spans official government relations and community engagement through various programs.
Bilateral Engagements
The Embassy of Ghana in Washington DC serves as the primary channel. It is used for diplomatic communications between Ghana and the United States. Formal diplomatic relations between these nations date back to 1957 after Ghana gained independence from Britain.
The Embassy regularly coordinates high-level meetings between Ghanaian officials and their American counterparts. These meetings focus on trade agreements, security cooperation, and development partnerships.
You can witness the Embassy’s active diplomatic work through their social media presence. The Embassy’s Facebook page keeps Ghanaians in America and other interested parties updated on diplomatic activities.
Key bilateral initiatives include:
- Trade delegations and investment forums
- Security cooperation programs
- Healthcare partnerships
- Agricultural development projects
Cultural and Educational Programs
The Ghana Embassy hosts many cultural events that showcase Ghanaian heritage to American audiences. These include art exhibitions, music performances, and food festivals that highlight Ghana’s rich cultural traditions.
Educational initiatives are equally important to the Embassy’s mission. They aid academic exchanges between Ghanaian and American institutions, creating opportunities for knowledge sharing and research collaboration.
You can follow these cultural activities through the Embassy’s Instagram account, which regularly posts updates about upcoming events.
Notable programs include:
- Annual Ghana Cultural Week celebrations
- Student exchange programs with American universities
- Ghana Heritage Month activities
- Leadership development workshops for Ghanaian professionals in the USA
The Embassy also offers informational sessions about Ghana’s history and current affairs to promote better understanding between the two nations.