Work and Residence Permit
Companies; Immigrant Quota / GIPC Automatic Quota
Foreign nationals who will work in Ghana need work authorisation tied to a quota and a residence permit from the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS). Companies registered with the Ghana Investment Promotion Authority (GIPA/GIPC) get an automatic immigrant quota based on paid-up capital; other employers rely on an immigrant quota approved by the Ministry of the Interior or on Free Zones Board approval. The employer applies to GIS on the worker's behalf.
Life in Ghana
Money
3
Currency
Ghanaian Cedi
GHS
Ghanaian Cedi
Cost of living
42
Price level · US = 100
World Bank price levels, 2025
Tax
5–35%
Income tax (national)
VAT 15%
35% applies to chargeable income above GHS 600,000 per year (GHS 50,000 per month).
Living
1
Happiness
#113 of 145 countries
World Happiness Report 2025
Your edge here Members
What gives you an edge here: passports, visas and permits you hold, work, study, language and family ties
Who it’s for
Foreign employees of companies, NGOs, missions or free-zone enterprises in Ghana, and shareholders, whose employer has quota or approval for the position.
Eligibility
Lawful entry
GIS says the applicant must have been lawfully admitted to Ghana.
Employer applies
The employer or sponsoring organisation applies to the Comptroller-General of Immigration on the worker's behalf.
Quota or approval
The position must be covered by a Ministry of the Interior immigrant quota approval, a GIPA automatic quota, or Ghana Free Zones Board approval.
A sneak peek at what's inside
- Next requirementGIPA automatic quota by capital
- Document checklistEmployer application letter to the Comptroller-General
- FeesResidence permit - work permit (companies), other nationals
The full requirements are for members
Create an account and subscribe to see every requirement, the full document checklist, fees, steps, processing times and conditions, and how your profile compares.
- 6 more requirements
- 14 documents
- 9 fees
- 7 steps
- Processing times and conditions
Places to visit in Ghana
Attractions picked for you, based on your profile and interests.
Finding places for you…
Official sources
- GIS - Work and Residence Permit (Companies)
- GIS - Work and Residence Permit (Missionaries/NGOs/Immigrant Quota GIPC/Shareholders)
- GIS - Residence Permit (Dependant)
- GIS - Indefinite Residence Status Generally
- Ghana Immigration Service - Fees and Charges (L.I. 2512, effective 15 May 2025)
- Ghana Immigration Service - Fees and Charges PDF (uploaded July 2026)
- Ghana Investment Promotion Authority - Labour and Expatriate Employment
Other routes to Ghana
- Visit & tourismGhana eVisa - Business (B1) and Tourist (B2); Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) for African nationals
- StudyResidence Permit
- FamilyResidence Permit
- FamilyIndefinite Residence for a foreign spouse of a Ghanaian
Work permits in other countries
- GibraltarGibraltar work permit
- GreenlandResidence and work permit for Greenland
- GambiaThe Gambia Resident Permit B (residence and work) with Alien Card and expatriate quota
- GuineaGuinea long-term visa (VLS) for employment, business, family, study or internship
- Equatorial GuineaResidence permit (residencia) for expatriates, requiring a work permit
- GreeceEU Blue Card - residence permit for highly qualified employees
