Ghana

How long you can stay, how long your vehicle can, and what your dog or cat needs to cross. Every rule links to the official source.

  • Last checked 28 Sep 2026
Otto pointing at your answer
Your answer

Your rules for Ghana

You · American passport

eVisa

Usually up to 60 days

Get the Ghana eVisa (Ghana Immigration Service) before you travel.

evisa.immigration.gov.gh · Official source · Checked 27 Sep 2026

Your vehicle · United States plates

Carnet, or a local permit or bond

Up to 90 days per visit

It needs CPD carnet, or Temporary Admission with a guarantee deposit before you cross.

gra.gov.gh · Official source · Checked 27 Sep 2026

Your dog or cat

Paperwork needed

Start at least 45 days out

Import permit (notice 4 weeks ahead) issued on negative Brucella, Babesia, heartworm and Leishmania tests; rabies within 6 months; exam within 48 h. See the steps

gov.uk · Official source · Checked 28 Sep 2026

Otto keeping watch through his magnifying glass

Watch Ghana.

We'll email you if Ghana's rules change for your American passport, United States plates or your pet. That's the only email you'll get.

Dogs and cats

What your pet needs to cross into Ghana.

Do these in order. Miss one and your pet can be held at the border.

Coming from
Otto checking a pet paperwork folder with Kramer beside him
  1. Before you go

    Microchip (ISO 11784/11785)

    Have a vet implant an ISO microchip and record the number on every document.

  2. On or after the microchip

    Rabies vaccination

    Vaccinate against rabies with an inactivated vaccine after the microchip is in place.

  3. On or after the rabies shot

    Rabies shot not older than 6 months (dogs only)

    Re-vaccinate if the last rabies shot will be older than 6 months at export.

  4. Before you go

    Distemper, hepatitis, parvo, leptospirosis, parainfluenza (dogs only)

    Evidence of these vaccinations is required.

  5. On or after the import permit

    Brucella canis, Babesia gibsoni, heartworm and Leishmania tests (dogs only)

    Negative tests needed before the permit is issued (Brucella SAT or smear, Babesia smear, microfilaria filtration, Leishmania IFAT/ELISA/DAT).

  6. On or after the health certificate

    Government endorsement of the certificate

    Have the health certificate endorsed/stamped by the government veterinary authority of the country you leave from.

  7. Still valid the day you arrive

    Rabies vaccine still valid on arrival

    Your pet's rabies vaccine must still be valid on the day you cross. Check the 'valid until' date on the vaccination record and book a booster before it runs out.

  8. Within 28 days before you arrive

    Veterinary import permit

    Apply for an import permit from the Veterinary Services Directorate, Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Accra before travel; carry the original with the pet.

  9. Within 7 days before you arrive

    Official health certificate

    Get the destination's health certificate signed by an official (government-authorised) vet; it is valid for 7 days.

  10. Within 48 hours before you arrive

    Vet exam within 48 hours of departure

    A vet must examine the pet and find it healthy (no signs of contagious disease or external parasites) within 48 hours before travel.

  11. On or after the rabies shot

    Rabies shot not older than 6 months (cats only)

    Rabies vaccination not more than 6 months before export.

gov.uk · Official source · Checked 28 Sep 2026. The app works these dates backward from your travel day and reminds you.

On your passport

Every passport in Ghana

42 passports
PassportEntryHow longSource
United States (yours)eVisaUsually up to 60 daysevisa.immigration.gov.gh
· Checked 27 Sep 2026
ArgentinaeVisaUsually up to 60 daysevisa.immigration.gov.gh
· Checked 27 Sep 2026
AustraliaeVisaUsually up to 60 daysevisa.immigration.gov.gh
· Checked 27 Sep 2026
AustriaeVisaUsually up to 60 daysevisa.immigration.gov.gh
· Checked 27 Sep 2026
BelgiumeVisaUsually up to 60 daysevisa.immigration.gov.gh
· Checked 27 Sep 2026
BrazileVisaUsually up to 60 daysevisa.immigration.gov.gh
· Checked 27 Sep 2026
BulgariaeVisaUsually up to 60 daysevisa.immigration.gov.gh
· Checked 27 Sep 2026
CanadaeVisaUsually up to 60 daysevisa.immigration.gov.gh
· Checked 27 Sep 2026
With your vehicle

Every registration in Ghana

42 registrations
Registered inEntryHow longSource
United States (yours)Carnet, or a local permit or bondUp to 90 days per visitgra.gov.gh
· Checked 27 Sep 2026
ArgentinaCarnet, or a local permit or bondUp to 90 days per visitgra.gov.gh
· Checked 27 Sep 2026
AustraliaCarnet, or a local permit or bondUp to 90 days per visitgra.gov.gh
· Checked 27 Sep 2026
AustriaCarnet, or a local permit or bondUp to 90 days per visitgra.gov.gh
· Checked 27 Sep 2026
BelgiumCarnet, or a local permit or bondUp to 90 days per visitgra.gov.gh
· Checked 27 Sep 2026
BrazilCarnet, or a local permit or bondUp to 90 days per visitgra.gov.gh
· Checked 27 Sep 2026
BulgariaCarnet, or a local permit or bondUp to 90 days per visitgra.gov.gh
· Checked 27 Sep 2026
CanadaCarnet, or a local permit or bondUp to 90 days per visitgra.gov.gh
· Checked 27 Sep 2026

A plain-language summary of the official rules, checked on the date shown. It isn't legal advice, and the officer at the desk always has the final word.

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