The United States Embassy in Accra is switching to a new visa services provider on August 26, 2024.
Access to the old visa service provider’s website and services will end on August 16, 2024.
Between August 16 and August 26, 2024, applicants will not be able to make new visa appointments, cancel or reschedule existing appointments, or access customer service.
Elliot Fertik, Consul General at the U.S. Embassy in Ghana, stated that all current nonimmigrant visa interview appointments remain valid.
If you have an interview scheduled, it is still valid, and you should attend as planned.
Starting August 16, you will no longer be able to schedule new appointments, make visa fee payments, or access customer service.
If you requested an emergency or expedited appointment and did not receive a response by August 16, you will need to resubmit your request using the new system after August 26.
During the transition period from August 16 to August 26, you cannot make new appointments or change existing ones. However, if you already have an appointment during this period, it remains valid, and you should still attend.
The new scheduling system will be available from August 26, and the link to the new appointment scheduling website will be posted on the Embassy’s website (gh.usembassy.gov) and social media platforms.
He reiterated that “if your interview is scheduled before August 16, meaning it is from now until August 15, there is no change. You can attend your appointment. You’ll still be able to reschedule it, and you’ll have access to your appointment profile on the current visa appointment system.”
“If your interview is scheduled between August 16 and August 26, again, your visa interview will still happen on those days. But you will not be able to access your ustraveldocs.com account, which is the current visa appointment system, on or after August 16,” he continued.
Mr. Fertik advised that if you have an appointment between August 16 and August 26, you should print out your appointment confirmation letter before August 16 and bring it with you to your interview.
“If you have an interview during this period and cannot attend, check the U.S. Embassy’s website after August 26 for instructions on what to do next.
If your interview is scheduled for August 26 or later, there is no need to worry. Your appointment remains valid, but you should visit the U.S. Embassy’s website on August 26 for information on the new appointment system and to make any necessary new appointments,” he said.
He also explained that if you have paid the visa application fee but do not have an interview scheduled, you should make an appointment before August 16.
Mr. Fertik assured that the new visa services provider would not increase costs for applicants; visa fees will remain the same, though the service will offer new enhancements.
He explained that the backlog in visa demand is due to a significant increase in applications. The number of people who paid for visa applications in Ghana from 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic has tripled compared to 2023.
“We believe the new system will improve efficiency, but reducing the backlog will mainly depend on our efforts to conduct more interviews and process more applications,” he said.
Mr. Fertik noted that the Embassy has been processing more student visas than in previous years and is working to reduce wait times as much as possible.
He encouraged applicants to keep checking the Embassy’s website and social media for updates and to seek clarification if needed.
