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What documents do I need to move to Ghana as a Nigeria citizen?

Typical pathway: Temporary Residence

Last verified: September 22, 2026

• Nigerian international (ECOWAS) passport (before) — Source: https://immigration.gov.ng/
  Machine-readable Nigerian e-passport used to enter Ghana visa-free as an ECOWAS national and later attached to the residence permit application; carriers and border officers commonly expect at least 6 months' remaining validity and 2 blank pages — verify current validity rule with the Ghana Immigration Service or the Ghana High Commission in Abuja before travel.
• ECOWAS Travel Certificate (before) — Source: https://immigration.gov.ng/ecowas-travel-certificate/
  Alternative regional travel document issued by the Nigeria Immigration Service, valid 2 years and renewable, accepted for movement within ECOWAS states including Ghana. Only needed if you will not travel on the Nigerian passport; the passport is the safer option because GIS permit files are built around passport bio-data pages.
• Original yellow fever vaccination certificate (ICVP / yellow card) (before) — Source: Ghana Health Service – Port Health Unit
  Original WHO International Certificate of Vaccination against yellow fever, demanded at Kotoka International Airport and at the Aflao/Elubo land borders for travellers arriving from Nigeria; photocopies are generally refused and QR-coded cards may be scanned for authenticity. Confirm current port-health rules with Ghana Health Service.
• Nigeria Police Force character/criminal record certificate (before) — Source: https://gis.gov.gh/service/work-and-residence-permit-missionaries-ngos-immigrant-quota-gipc-shareholders/
  Police report from the home country (Nigeria Police Force Criminal Investigation Department) listed by GIS among work-and-residence permit documents. GIS guidance indicates a police report is required for work permit applications but not for a stand-alone residence permit — confirm with the GIS permits office which applies to your permit class.
• Two recent passport-sized photographs of the applicant (before) — Source: https://gis.gov.gh/service/work-and-residence-permit-missionaries-ngos-immigrant-quota-gipc-shareholders/
  Two current colour passport-size prints taken within the last 6 months, submitted physically with the GIS residence permit application form. Distinct from the separate biometric capture (fingerprints, portrait, iris) done later at an NIA/FIMS centre.
• Sponsor, employer or institution support letter (before) — Source: https://gis.gov.gh/service/residence-permit-student/
  Letter addressed to the Comptroller-General of Immigration from the Ghana-registered employer, host company, NGO/mission, or from the Ghanaian school (with admission letter and fee receipts for student residence), applying for the residence permit on your behalf and stating the permissible purpose of residence.
• Educational and professional certificates plus CV (before) — Source: https://gis.gov.gh/service/work-and-residence-permit-companies/
  Originals and copies of degrees, trade/professional certificates and a current curriculum vitae, required where residence is tied to employment or a profession; ECOWAS nationals are not subject to the GIPC immigrant quota system but still file qualification evidence.
• Nigerian birth certificate (NPC) or sworn declaration of age (before) — Source: https://gis.gov.gh/service/residence-permit-dependant/
  Needed for each accompanying child on a dependant residence permit, and for student applicants where GIS requests proof of age; obtain from the National Population Commission before departure.
• Nigerian marriage certificate (before) — Source: https://gis.gov.gh/service/
  Required only for a spousal dependant residence permit. GIS guidance states spouses become eligible for the dependants permit after more than 4 years of marriage — confirm the current threshold with GIS before relying on this route.
• Bank statement / proof of maintenance funds (before) — Source: https://gis.gov.gh/service/residence-permit-dependant/
  Recent Nigerian (or Ghanaian) bank statement evidencing means of support for yourself and any dependants; also requested at the border as evidence of sufficient funds for the stay, and listed by GIS for dependant residence permits alongside an indenture where property is relied on.
• ECOWAS visa-free entry stamp in passport (during) — Source: https://gis.gov.gh/faq-2/
  Immigration endorsement received at the Ghanaian port of entry admitting a Nigerian national for up to 90 days without a visa; this stamp is the lawful basis on which the in-country residence permit application must be filed before the 90 days expire.
• Completed GIS residence permit application form (during) — Source: https://gis.gov.gh/faq-2/
  The prescribed Ghana Immigration Service application form for your permit class (employment, self-employment, student, dependant, religious, retirement), signed and lodged with government fees at the appropriate immigration office. All residence permit applications must be made inside Ghana.
• Photocopy of passport bio-data and entry-stamp pages (during) — Source: https://gis.gov.gh/service/work-and-residence-permit-companies/
  Photocopies of the passport bio-data page plus the current entry/permit pages, filed with the application; GIS normally retains the physical passport while the permit is processed, and typically asks for two copies of every document.
• Medical report from the Ghana Immigration Service Clinic, Accra (during) — Source: https://gis.gov.gh/service/work-and-residence-permit-missionaries-ngos-immigrant-quota-gipc-shareholders/
  Mandatory in-country medical screening report issued by the GIS Clinic (not a Nigerian hospital report); requires the applicant's physical presence and is a prerequisite for residence authorisation.
• Non-Citizen Ghana Card (NIA / FIMS registration) (during) — Source: https://nia.gov.gh/service/foreigner-identification-management-systems/
  Biometric non-citizen national ID issued by the National Identification Authority through the Foreigner Identification Management System to foreigners cumulatively resident 90+ days or holding a residence permit; registration involves a bank-purchased scratch card, an interview and capture of fingerprints, portrait and iris. Needed for permit renewal, banking and SIM registration.
• Ghana work permit (separate from the residence permit) (during) — Source: https://gis.gov.gh/service/work-and-residence-permit-companies/
  Distinct GIS authorisation naming employer and role; ECOWAS citizens are visa-exempt but still need a work permit to work or run a business in Ghana, and a residence permit alone does not confer work rights. Applications must be accompanied by the Ghanaian employer's registration documents and tax clearance.
• Ghanaian tenancy agreement or property indenture (during) — Source: https://gis.gov.gh/service/indefinite-residence-status-generally/
  Signed lease/tenancy agreement (or indenture and site plan if you own property) evidencing your residential address in Ghana; used to support the residence file, Ghana Card registration and bank account opening.
• Residence permit endorsement / permit card (after) — Source: https://gis.gov.gh/faq-2/
  The issued permit (endorsed in the passport or issued as a card) stating the authorised purpose and duration; it may be granted for up to four years in the first instance though one year is common in practice, allows multiple entries without a visa while valid, and must be renewed before expiry.
• Ghana Revenue Authority TIN and tax clearance certificate (after) — Source: Ghana Revenue Authority
  Taxpayer Identification Number (now linked to the Ghana Card/Non-Citizen Card) and, where self-employed or a company owner, personal and company tax clearance certificates — these are requested at permit renewal and for indefinite residence status.
• Renewal / indefinite residence application pack (after) — Source: https://gis.gov.gh/service/indefinite-residence-status-generally/
  For long-term stability: renewal filing before permit expiry, and later an indefinite residence application supported by attestation letters from two qualifying Ghanaians, a current police report obtained in Ghana, a copy of the non-citizen ID card, a GIS Clinic medical report and evidence of ties such as property or business.

Not legal advice. Based on cached research — verify with official sources before making decisions.

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