Applying for a long-stay Caribbean visa in Ghana
If you live in Ghana and need a visa to collect your residence permit for the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom, find out about the rules and how to apply.
What do I need to do?
You can only apply for a long-stay visa if you have also applied for a residence permit.
You must always submit your application in person. Children under the age of 18 must also apply in person.
Bring the following documents with you. For every document, you must bring the original and one photocopy with you. The embassy or consulate-general cannot make photocopies for you.
Application form
You must submit a completed Caribbean visa application form. You must sign the form during your appointment in the presence of a consular officer.
Passport
You must provide a passport or other travel document containing at least two blank pages. It should be valid for at least 3 month after you leave the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom.
When you submit your application, you must also submit your passport. If you need proof that your passport is being held by the embassy or consulate-general, bring an extra photocopy with you. The embassy or consulate-general will stamp the photocopy for you free of charge.
Documents for minors
If you are applying for a visa on behalf of a child under the age of 18, you must bring the child’s birth certificate and proof of identity for the child’s parent(s).
Proof of legal residence
You must be able to prove that your are legally resident in the country you are applying from. To do this, you can show your passport, residence permit or a visa.
Photo
Bring a photo that meets the Dutch requirements for passport photos.
Photocopy of letter from immigration service
Has your residence permit application been approved by the local immigration service? If so, you must submit a photocopy of the letter your sponsor received.
- Aruba: temporary admission document (VTA)
- Curaçao: letter of notification
- St Maarten: landing permit
- Bonaire, Saba, St Eustatius: authorisation for temporary stay (MVV-BES)
You should also bring any additional documents listed in the letter.
How much does a visa cost?
When you apply for a visa at a Netherlands embassy or consulate-general, you must pay a fee. You can find the fee here. If you are applying through an external service provider, you will pay more.
How long does it take?
In most cases, you’ll be informed within 15 calendar days whether your application has been successful.
Applying for a visa in this country or region
Visa application procedure in Ghana
How and where do I make a visa appointment?
The Netherlands embassy in Accra uses the services of VFS Global. Make an online appointment via the website of VFS Global.
Representation agreement Austria, Luxembourg, Poland and Portugal
The Kingdom of the Netherlands has made representation arrangements for short stay visa applications (for a stay of maximum 90 days per 180 days period) with Austria, Luxembourg, Poland and Portugal.
Residents of Ghana travelling to Austria, Luxembourg, Poland or Portugal can also submit their application via VFS Global. Make an online appointment via the website of VFS Global.
Those wishing to settle in Austria, Luxembourg, Poland or Portugal and wishing to apply for a residence permit should however turn to the nearest embassy of Austria, Luxembourg, Poland or Portugal to start the proper procedure.
Visa applications in case of approval after appeal
If you have received an approval after an appeal, you can submit your visa application at the embassy. You do not need to make an appointment.
You can walk in on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday or Friday between 8:00 and 10:00 hours to submit additional documents.
Before you come, please check the days the embassy is closed.
Bring the following documents with you to the appointment:
- a valid travel document
- the no objection letter (and a copy) stating that your objection has been successful
- any documents mentioned in the letter (if applicable). For example, a hotel or flight reservation, or proof of insurance.
You will not need to complete a new visa application form or pay for the visa again.
Visa for holders of diplomatic and service passports
Holders of diplomatic
and service passports have to make an appointment via the online appointment system to submit their application at the Netherlands embassy in Accra.
Processing time of visa applications
The average processing time of a visa application is fifteen (15) calendar days.
In case the application is incomplete, needs further investigation or in case the application has to be forwarded to the competent authorities in the Netherlands for further consideration, the assessment may take weeks or even longer.
Collection of passports of applications submitted directly at the embassy
You do not need to make an appointment to collect your document(s).
Collection times are: Monday to Friday between 8:00 and 10:00 hours.
Before you come, please check the days on which the embassy is closed.
If you are not able to collect your decision and passport, you may authorise another person to collect it on your behalf. In that case the embassy requires a written and signed authorisation letter from you, including a copy of your passport.
Important notice about fraud
The embassy will report the use of false and counterfeit documents to the Ghanaian Police (CID) or GIS (Ghana Immigration Service) depending on the forgery; these documents will not be returned to the applicant.
The embassy often receives e-mails from European citizens who are in contact with someone from this region through the internet. Often these contacts result in scamming whereby the scammer does not reveal his or her true identity and requests to transfer high amounts for various reasons (legalisations, costly visa procedures, medical check-ups and supporting documents not required by Dutch authorities in relation to consular procedures, hospitalisation, inheritance, gold ornaments). Beware of this (romance) scamming.
Other than warning for this type of scamming, the embassy cannot be of assistance in taking legal steps once European citizens have become victims of this type of scamming.