China Visa from Ghana — 2026 Application Guide
Ghanaian passport holders need a visa for mainland China. Applications go through the Chinese Visa Application Service Centre (CVASC) in Accra, not directly to the embassy. Trade with China is now Ghana's largest bilateral relationship — most Ghanaian applicants travel for business (M visa) or tourism (L visa).
Last verified: November 2025 against CVASC Accra and the Chinese Embassy in Ghana. See editorial policy.
Visa categories Ghanaians use most
- L visa — Tourism. Up to 30 days per entry, single, double or multiple entry.
- M visa — Commerce / trade. Most Ghanaian importers (Guangzhou, Yiwu, Shenzhen) use this.
- F visa — Non-commercial visits, exchanges, conferences.
- Z visa — Work, with Foreign Expert Permit issued by the Chinese employer.
- X1 / X2 visa — Study (X1 = longer than 180 days, X2 = shorter).
Fees (CVASC Accra, 2026)
| Entry type | USD | GHS (approx) |
|---|---|---|
| Single entry | USD 30 | GHS 415 |
| Double entry | USD 45 | GHS 620 |
| Multiple entry (6 months) | USD 60 | GHS 830 |
| Multiple entry (12 months+) | USD 90 | GHS 1,240 |
| CVASC service fee | USD 38 | GHS 525 |
| Express (3 days) | +USD 25 | +GHS 345 |
Standard processing: 4 working days from submission. Express: 3 working days. Pay in cash at the centre — cards are not always accepted.
Documents — tourist (L) visa
- Passport valid 6+ months, with 2 blank pages.
- Form V.2013, completed online on the CVASC portal, printed and signed.
- One recent passport photo (33×48mm, white background) — strict; bring two.
- Confirmed round-trip flight booking.
- Hotel reservation for the full stay, OR an invitation letter from a Chinese host.
- Day-by-day itinerary.
- Last 3 months bank statement stamped by your Ghanaian bank.
Documents — business (M) visa
- Everything in the L list above, PLUS:
- Invitation letter from the Chinese trading partner, on company letterhead, with stamp and the signatory's ID copy. Must state purpose, dates, and who covers costs.
- Copy of the Chinese company's business licence (营业执照).
- Letter from your Ghanaian employer or business registration (RGD certificate of incorporation + Form 3).
- For repeat trade visits, attach previous Chinese visas / entry stamps to support multiple-entry request.
Where to apply in Accra
Chinese Visa Application Service Centre — Accra. Currently located in Cantonments (verify the address on the CVASC website before travelling, as it has relocated twice since 2022). Submission hours: Mon–Fri, 09:00–15:00. Collection: 09:00–16:00. No appointment required for standard categories — walk-in with a numbered ticket.
Tips that prevent rejection
- Don't list Xinjiang or Tibet in your itinerary unless you have a specific permit — it triggers extra review.
- Match dates exactly across flight, hotel and form V.2013. Mismatches are the #1 reason for "supplementary documents" requests.
- Invitation letter must be original or clear PDF — phone photos of letters are routinely rejected.
- Don't apply more than 90 days before travel — the visa validity counts from issue date, not entry.