2026 World Cup: Visa overstay in US is an offence - Ghanaian fans cautioned
The Charge d'Affaires of the US Embassy in Ghana, Rolf Olson, has cautioned Ghanaians against overstaying their visas in the US, describing such a practice as a serious offence that can have severe consequences.
Addressing a news conference at the embassy in Accra, Mr Olson said Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers would determine the length of stay any fan would be allowed in the US for the World Cup, although the standard period for a “B” visa — which fans qualified for—was six months.
The Charge d’Affaires, therefore, advised Ghanaian fans to respect US immigration laws and regulations, including adhering to the terms of their visa.
Caution
Mr Olson further said that overstaying a visa was considered a breach of law and could lead to penalties, including deportation and future visa denials.
“For a “B” visa, the standard generally is six months, but it's not automatic. So, it is incumbent upon the amount of time that the CBP officer gives you. If they give you 90 days, you have 90 days. You have three months.
“If you are given six months, you have six months, which is a long time. I think we can all agree that six months is enough time to go watch the World Cup matches, spend some time with friends, go on a vacation if you wanted to do that, and still return,” he said.
Mr Olson added that although Ghana had a five-year multiple entry visa, the consular officer could still limit the validity of a visa.
“The consular officer can limit the validity of a visa. It is in their power to do that. There is no automatic five-year multiple entry. Generally, that’s the standard, and we generally apply that for most travellers.
“You'll have the opportunity to go again, if you wish. But limiting the length of time is a normal thing for any country that's watching its immigration, obviously, and controlling the visitor flow,” he said.
Visa appointments
Mr Olson also said that the US Embassy had opened tens of thousands of new visa appointment slots for Ghanaians planning to travel to the US, particularly for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
He said this was to reduce waiting times and urged applicants to apply early or reschedule for early dates.
The Charge d'Affaires attributed the increased availability to the surge of 450 consular officers deployed worldwide by the State Department following the embassy's advocacy and collaboration with Ghana.
“Since mid-January, we have had a surge of additional staff to temporarily support our visa operations. What this means for Ghanaians is that the US Embassy Accra is now offering hundreds of additional appointments each day,” he said.
Validity
Mr Olson further urged prospective travellers for the World Cup to check the validity of their passports and ensure that their documents were valid through to at least the beginning of 2027, and renew them, if necessary, before applying for a visa.
He advised those with valid US visas to check their expiration dates and renew them if necessary.
Mr Olson clarified that having a World Cup ticket was not a requirement for application for a “B” visa, and having one did not affect eligibility.
“Misrepresentations about your purpose of travel or family, employment or identity will result in denial of the application and may lead to a permanent visa ineligibility.
US law treats fraud in the visa application process very seriously, and so do we,” he said.
The Charge d’Affaires also warned against visa fixers, adding that there was no additional payment required to apply for a “B” visa beyond the initial application fee.
