The National Identification Authority (NIA), in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has launched a streamlined four-step process for Ghanaians living abroad to register for and obtain the Ghana Card, making it easier than ever for citizens in the diaspora to secure their national identification.
The Ghana Card is the mandatory national identity card for all Ghanaian citizens, both at home and abroad. For Ghanaians living overseas, the new digital-first process eliminates the need for multiple trips to a mission, with much of the application completed online.
Here is a step-by-step guide to getting your Ghana Card from abroad.
Who is eligible?
All Ghanaian citizens living outside Ghana are eligible to register for the Ghana Card. The registration process is for first-time applicants only.
Step 1: Complete your application online
The first step is to complete the online application form and pay the required fee at the official NIA registration portal: register.nia.gov.gh .
When completing the form, ensure you select the "Ghanaian" option for "Type of Applicant". You will also need to create and remember your Registration ID and password to access your application later.
The application fee varies by regiom. For applicants in the United Kingdom and other countries outside Africa, the fee is the equivalent of US$115. In the ECOWAS sub-region, the fee is US$55, and for the rest of Africa, it is US$75. The payment is made online when booking your appointment.
Step 2: Complete your virtual interview
After submitting your online application, a registration officer will review and approve it. You will then be required to undergo a virtual interview.
If you are using the vouching process, you may be required to attend two virtual interviews: one with a Commissioner for Oaths and a second to confirm your Ghanaian citizenship.
Once your application is approved, you will receive a confirmation message containing a QR code via email.
Step 3: Biometric capture
With your QR code, you must book an appointment for your biometric data capture. Print your QR code and present it at your nearest Ghana Mission on your appointed date and time.
When you attend your biometric capture appointment, you must bring the original documents you used to complete your online application, such as your Ghanaian passport or birth certificate. No photocopies or electronic copies are accepted.
At the mission, your QR code will be scanned, and a registration officer will capture your biometrics, which include your photograph, fingerprints, irises, and signature.
Step 4: Collect your Ghana Card
After your biometrics are captured, your Ghana Card will be printed and issued to you on the spot.
Important requirements
To register, you must have one of the following documents :
- An original Birth Certificate issued by the Births and Deaths Registry of Ghana; OR
- An original valid Ghana Passport issued by the Government of Ghana; OR
- Evidence of acquired citizenship, such as Naturalisation or Registration Certificates; OR
- An Oath of Identity form is obtained through the vouching process.
If you do not have a valid Ghana passport or birth certificate, a relative with a Ghana Card can vouch for you. If you have no known relatives, two people from a specific list can vouch for you.
Note: You cannot register for a Ghana Card abroad if you already registered in Ghana and did not receive your card, if your card is missing, or if there is a mistake on your existing card.
Upcoming London pop-up registration
As part of the exercise, the NIA has announced a special London Pop-Up Registration scheduled for August 1, 2026, at Copthall Playing Fields, London. This provides an additional opportunity for Ghanaians in the United Kingdom to complete the process.
