Ambassador Victor Smith (R) pictured with US President, Donald Trump
Ghana’s Ambassador to the United States, Victor Emmanuel Smith, has clarified that the recent Trump administration decision to temporarily halt immigrant visa processing does not affect non-immigrant visa categories.
According to him, short-term travel visas to the US remain fully operational.
In a post on Facebook by the official Embassy of Ghana in Washington, DC, on January 14, 2025, the Ambassador emphasised that the directive applies only to immigrant visas.
“The US State Department confirms that B1-B2 visas will continue. Only immigrant visas are being paused. Ghana’s Ambassador to the United States of America, Victor Emmanuel Smith, clarifies uncertainties surrounding recent US visa restrictions by the US government,” the statement read.
This clarification follows concerns over the suspension of immigrant visa processing for nationals of 75 countries, including Ghana and Nigeria.
US to halt visa processing for applicants from 75 nations including Ghana, Nigeria
The suspension by the US State Department is expected to take full effect on January 21, 2025, and will remain in place until further review.
The affected countries span multiple regions, including Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Caribbean. They include Ghana, Nigeria, Somalia, Russia, Afghanistan, Brazil, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Thailand, and Yemen, among others.
Check the Embassy’s Facebook post below:
SP/AM
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