A recent U.S. government report on visa overstays for 2023 reveals that 1,910 Ghanaians who were issued B1/B2 visas overstayed their permits, representing a 7.50% overstay rate. This report by Customs and Border Protection highlights the issue of visa violations during the period from October 2022 to September 2023.

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The data shows that out of the 25,454 B1/B2 visas issued to Ghanaians, 1,910 individuals overstayed, while 537 out of 2,559 F, M, and J visas (issued to students and exchange visitors) also resulted in overstays, accounting for a significant 21% rate.The report, which provides a breakdown of visa violations, also notes that Ghana's overstay rate has risen since 2019, when it stood at 5.09% for B1/B2 visas and 12.7% for student visas.

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This trend of increasing overstays contrasts with Nigeria’s historically higher overstay rates.In comparison, Nigeria saw 6,000 overstays from 84,051 B1/B2 visas, with a 7.14% abuse rate. The overstay rates for students and exchange visitors in Nigeria were lower, at 15.60%, compared to Ghana's 21%.The U.S.

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Customs and Border Protection (CBP) classifies overstays into "Suspected In-Country Overstays," where no departure is recorded, and "Out-of-Country Overstays," where the individual leaves after the visa expires. The report emphasizes the complexities of determining overstays, accounting for extensions or changes in visa status.

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Other African countries like Mali, Ivory Coast, and Togo also showed varying overstay rates, with Ghana’s numbers placing it among the countries with significant challenges in visa compliance.24_1011_CBP-Entry-Exit-Overstay-Report-FY23-DataDownload

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