Ghana visa in Dakar (bs)
 

I just left the Ghana consulate in Dakar for the second time. The woman in the reception is a total b*tch. I was finally able to explain nmy case over the phone with the ambassador and he told me if he issues a visa to me people will question him and cause problems. I don't believe that at all. He then told me I can get a visa at the border when I cross from Burkina Faso or Ivory Coast. I asked him several times if he was sure I can get a visa at the border to which he said yes no problem. I don't believe this at all, what do you guys think? I have a return flight from Ghana to Europe for two weeks and then back to Ghana to continue on the moto so I absolutely need this visa.

What you need to realise is that there aren't ANY immigration attaches in any of their embassies, so therefore it's at the embassy's discretion as to whether they'll issue you one or not! Most of the Ghanaian embassies require you to be resident in X country to issue one because otherwise Ghana Immigration in Accra will come down on them like a ton of bricks.

As of 4 weeks ago, a Ghanaian resident on a long term tourist visa was REFUSED re-entry into Ghana from CI. He returned to Abidjan and I walked him through the options, eventually he returned to the border the following day and paid US$150 for a temporary entry tourist visa (with 2 weeks validity before he had to get it extended from memory). He lives in Ghana, owns land & property there but the residency visa is taking so long he's been living on tourist visas.

So yes, it can be issued but it's not cheap!

To avoid the story just skip to the end

This is my experience with the Ghanaian "embassy" in Dakar. First things first, the woman at reception has a serious attitude problem, a serious one. She is without a doubt the most unhelpful person I have ever met.

I went in on the Monday but my passport was still at the Mali embassy. I asked if it was possible to get a visa. She outright said no but I filled in the application forms anyway and got passport photos. I came back on the Tuesday and while getting off my bike outside, security opened the single garage to a man in a nice car and very well dressed. I went inside and handed in the application and asked to speak with someone to explain my case, finally she called someone who I spoke to on the phone as in the comment above. I was explained a visa is not possible, I am not a resident and that I will be able to get a visa at the border. After five minutes on the phone trying to explain my case, the conversation ended. The woman sat there looking smug and I went to sit on the sofa and think about my next move. I sat there for a good 30 minutes thinking and just Facebook because I couldn't be bothered moving.

The nicely dressed man came downstairs and got a drink from the water cooler. He asked if he could have my bike as ever second guy does here in Africa, hen asked what I was doing. I knew this was the ambassador and he was the guy I had spoken to on the phone but he tried to act like he wasn't. I explained that I wouldn't be issued a visa here and that now I don't know what to do. I really buttered up the feeling sorry for myself part. He wrote down his phone number and said to call him at 1pm and he will try to convince the ambassador...which was him.

I went outside and chilled for a bit. 10 minutes later he came out and saw me sitting by my bike and asked what I was doing. I said I was having a drink and thinking of where to go to kill time. He crouched down next to me and said some mumbo jumbo along the lines of "look, it's impossible to get the visa because bla bla bla. Essentially he didn't want anyone questioning the ambassador aka him, however if I give him 100€ he might be able to convince "the ambassador". I said okay as I had no choice. He said to call at 1pm.

At 1pm I went back and tried to get the receptionist to call him but she said it was impossible, she really didn't want me to get the visa. I asked the security outside who were really friendly and they called him down. He told me to leave my passport and come back tomorrow at 10.

I went back at 10 the next day and security had to call him down again. I had already asked security who confirmed this guy actually was the ambassador. He took me outside and I said to him that I need it to be multiple entry. He said that they don't give multiple entry to anyone the first time but if I pay the multi entry fee he will give it to me. He acted like he was throwing me a bone saying now he has to cancel the single entry and make a new visa for multiple entry.

I paid 30,000cfa (45€) for the single entry and an extra 20,000cfa (30€) for multiple entry fee. Then a further 100€ which he pocketed. 20 minutes later my passport was down at reception with a 3 Month multiple entry visa in it.

Corrupt, yes. Expensive, yes. Was it worth it? I'm not sure, for peace of mind it definitely is. Had I not had to have a multiple entry visa and two flights out and into ghana then I would have chanced getting it in Burkina Faso.

Ghana does provide a visa on arrival scheme but its subject to some caveats, but I believe you can still get it without a bribe, it should cost you about 100USD. well here's an extract from the Ghana immigration service website. you can also google Ghana immigration service visa on arrival. secondly I travelled through the airport in Accra a few times this year and there's a big sign that says "VISA ON ARRIVAL"
Visa on Arrival
The Ghana Immigration Service has introduced this visa policy to cater for visitors/business people who travel at short notice from countries where Ghana has no mission or consulate. The policy authorizes visas to be granted on arrival at the airport or other entry points subject to satisfaction of specific Immigration requirements
REQUIREMENT FOR EMERGENCY ENTRY VISA
•An application letter from the host, stating where the traveler is coming from (If the host is a Company/Organization, it must be on a letterhead).
• State where the traveler is going to lodge.
•How the traveler is entering the country (KIA, Aflao, Elubo, or Paga).
•How long the traveler is going to stay.
•A photocopy of the traveler’s passport (Biodata page


hope this might help.

Visa on Arrival via land?
 

Has anybody heard of this at the land border, f.e Burkina or CI?
Thank you

With a bit of patience and nice talking, the bitch can soften up. I didn't make the application in the end, but having been initially told I had to be a resident of Senegal, having sat politely for half an hour, trying my best "poor me what can I do" look and pretending to be busy on my phone (as opposed to just sitting waiting petulantly for nothing) she called me up and took my application. Then she barked that I needed a letter of invitation. Said she'd forward it to the consul the next day if I came back with the letter.

A bloke I met in Dakar got it the previous week with a similar tale. I didn't go back cos I was really only testing the water to see if it could be achieved cos I wasn't sure if I'd make Ghana. But could be worth a second visit. Just have your letter of invitation (I had the distinct impression this was a box ticking exercise and a forged one would do).

I imagine the consuls excuse translates as "it's more hassle for me if you're not resident, but if I'm gently pushed I might do it"

Remember. Lines of logic in a conversation that we take for granted in the west, generally don't apply in Africa. Even though it wasn't a precondition the bitch said, it would be worth going back tomorrow with a letter of invitation acting on the assumption that this should now fix the problem and see what happens, applying my polite sitting playing with your phone if you have now success immediately