The situation
The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) has issued a directive, effective February 15, which requires first time applicants for Work and Residence Permits to obtain their medical certificates from the GIS Medical Facility in Accra.
A closer look
- Prior rule. Previously, applicants for Work and Residence Permits were allowed to provide medical certificates from their countries of origin which enabled the work and residence permit process to be started prior to their arrival in the country.
- Background. The directive is aimed at streamlining and regulating the issuance of Work and Residence Permits in the country, as well as protecting public health by ensuring that the medical certificates are not fraudulent.
- Impact on foreign nationals. Applicants for Work and Residence Permits will incur additional costs since they will have to travel to Ghana to undergo their medical examination at the GIS headquarters and then leave the country to apply for their work and residence permit outside of Ghana. Foreign nationals should also anticipate that the personal appearance requirement will increase the amount of time that it will take to file a work or residence permit applications and therefore delay work start dates.
- Looking ahead. Fragomen will provide further details as soon as they are released, including whether foreign nationals who enter Ghana for their medical examinations will be able to work while awaiting the outcome of their Work and Residence Permits.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].
Explore more at Fragomen
Blog post
Immigration Director Deirdre Murray explores the impact of upcoming employment permit changes on employers and workforce planning in Ireland.
Video
Director David Iannella discusses how Global Entry can help frequent business travelers navigate US entry more predictably and access TSA PreCheck.
Video
Manager Russell Hodges and Associate Gurpreet Phalora explain key UK immigration considerations for London Fashion Week 2026.
Advisory services
Senior Counsel Jo Antoons and Immigration Supervisor Elisabeth Kamm explore the EU Blue Card recast and its impact for employers, highlighting how hiring, retention and mobility decisions are affected.
Media mentions
Partner James Pack on US H‑1B updates and what employers should know for the upcoming lottery.
Immigration analysis
Manager Konstantin Schmid provides a practical overview of Swiss citizenship routes, eligibility rules and common reasons applications are delayed or refused.
Media mentions
Manager Pierangelo D’Errico discusses how recent changes to Italy’s citizenship rules are affecting applicants with Italian ancestry.
Podcast
Director Laxmi Limbani discusses how women are shaping the global space sector, the barriers they face and what is needed to support a more inclusive space workforce.
Media mentions
Senior Manager William Diaz outlines how immigration changes in the US and UK may affect workforce planning and mobility for the games industry in 2026.
Media mentions
Partner Julia Onslow-Cole highlights how global mobility is becoming a strategic, board-level consideration requiring careful planning, compliance and workforce management.
Video
Director Fatima Aydin outlines Ireland’s roadmap for increasing minimum annual remuneration salary thresholds and the implications for employer workforce planning and compliance.
Video
In this episode of the Fragomen FC, Partner Rick Lamanna, Senior Manager Jake Paul Minster, Manager Gustavo Kanashiro and Manager Sergio Flores discuss how immigration systems across the Americas shape football mobility, compliance and cross-border movement throughout South America.
Blog post
Immigration Director Deirdre Murray explores the impact of upcoming employment permit changes on employers and workforce planning in Ireland.
Video
Director David Iannella discusses how Global Entry can help frequent business travelers navigate US entry more predictably and access TSA PreCheck.
Video
Manager Russell Hodges and Associate Gurpreet Phalora explain key UK immigration considerations for London Fashion Week 2026.
Advisory services
Senior Counsel Jo Antoons and Immigration Supervisor Elisabeth Kamm explore the EU Blue Card recast and its impact for employers, highlighting how hiring, retention and mobility decisions are affected.
Media mentions
Partner James Pack on US H‑1B updates and what employers should know for the upcoming lottery.
Immigration analysis
Manager Konstantin Schmid provides a practical overview of Swiss citizenship routes, eligibility rules and common reasons applications are delayed or refused.
Media mentions
Manager Pierangelo D’Errico discusses how recent changes to Italy’s citizenship rules are affecting applicants with Italian ancestry.
Podcast
Director Laxmi Limbani discusses how women are shaping the global space sector, the barriers they face and what is needed to support a more inclusive space workforce.
Media mentions
Senior Manager William Diaz outlines how immigration changes in the US and UK may affect workforce planning and mobility for the games industry in 2026.
Media mentions
Partner Julia Onslow-Cole highlights how global mobility is becoming a strategic, board-level consideration requiring careful planning, compliance and workforce management.
Video
Director Fatima Aydin outlines Ireland’s roadmap for increasing minimum annual remuneration salary thresholds and the implications for employer workforce planning and compliance.
Video
In this episode of the Fragomen FC, Partner Rick Lamanna, Senior Manager Jake Paul Minster, Manager Gustavo Kanashiro and Manager Sergio Flores discuss how immigration systems across the Americas shape football mobility, compliance and cross-border movement throughout South America.