Ghana
Corporate Guide

Are there different classes of work permits in Ghana?

There are two types of work permits:

• temporary work permit
• standard work permit

A temporary work permit authorises a foreign national to conduct lawful work activities for a period not exceeding six months. This type of permit cannot be extended in-country.

A standard work permit authorises a foreign national to conduct lawful work activities for a period of one year. This type of permit can be extended in-country.

The Ministry of Interior and the Freezones Board may provide immigrant quotas under specific circumstances. Additionally, section 35 of the GIPC Act provides an automatic immigration quota for all entities that have invested foreign equity in Ghana. The number of immigrant quotas allocated to an entity depends on the amount of foreign investment made by the entity in Ghana. The following are the automatic quota allocations based on a company’s investment:

• Paid capital of not less than USD 50,000 and not more than USD 250,000 receives an automatic expatriate quota of one person. 
• Paid capital of not less than USD 250,000 and not more than USD 500,000 receives an automatic expatriate quota of two people. 
• Paid capital of not less than USD 500,000 and not more than USD 700,000 receives an automatic expatriate quota of three people.
• Paid capital of not less than USD 700,000 receives an automatic expatriate quota of four people.

A work permit may be applied for by either the employer or the expatriate. Either party may engage the services of a lawyer or immigration practitioner, but the application packet submitted by the professional must contain an application letter from the employer or expatriate.