How to apply for a chip-embedded passport in Ghana (steps and prices)

November 13, 2025

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How to apply for a chip-embedded passport in Ghana (steps and prices)

Ghana’s passport application process is fully digital. Meaning if you need to apply for a passport in Ghana it must be done online. We are going to highlight the entire online passport application process in Ghana. We will cover both the standard and the premium passport application in Ghana, the price of passports in Ghana, online passport renewals and what you should expect in general during the entire process.

A New Era of Chip-Embedded Passports in Ghana

Ghana is significantly upgrading its passport application and security systems to meet the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) requirements, which state that current passports will be outdated by 2030. The most significant change is that Ghana will no longer issue the old biometric passports, replacing them with superior chip-embedded technology for enhanced security.

To improve service delivery, the Passport Head Office will now operate 24 hours a day. The process is also becoming more convenient, with a new E-Tracking System allowing applicants to trace their application status and the introduction of Courier Delivery through Ghana Post and Troskit for delivery across the country. These changes are expected to lead to a Faster Turnaround Time, with regular applications taking 15 working days and expedited services taking just 5 working days. Furthermore, while awaiting parliamentary approval, Cabinet has approved a Reduced Application Fee from GHS500 to GHS350.

Key New Developments

Chip-Embedded Passport: Old biometric passports are replaced with superior, security-enhanced chip-embedded technology.
24-Hour Operations: The Passport Head Office will now be open around the clock.
E-Tracking System: Applicants can trace the status of their application from submission to delivery.
Courier Delivery: Ghana Post and Troskit will deliver passports nationwide.
Faster Turnaround Time: Regular in 15 working days, expedited in 5 working days.
Reduced Application Fees: Reduction from GHS500 to GHS350.

Price of Passports In Ghana

You might have asked yourself, how much does it cost to get a passport in Ghana?

Below are the new passport application prices in Ghana.

#	NAME	PROCESSING FEES
1	Standard Application	GHS 300.00
2	Expedited Application	GHS 2000.00

The passport fees were increased by 544% on 1st April 2024. This was the first time that the prices of Passport applications online in Ghana have seen such a drastic increase. But on the 13th of November 2025, the prices were revised by the new government and reduced by 30%.

The entire passport application process is online. This guide will give you a detailed overview of the processes and steps needed. We have divided the whole process into 3 distinct phases which include Applying for a passport, Passport appointment & vetting and Passport Pickup.

Phase 1 – Applying for a new passport in Ghana

To get started with the entire passport application process, you will need to access the official passport website at Online Passport Application (mfa.gov.gh) which is run by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

It seems its an entirely new database so you will have to create an account which can be done in minutes by clicking Create One.

Once you have created an account and logged in, select a new passport application and fill out the Ghana passport application form.

The form requires information about yourself, your parents, grandparents occupation and your spouse if you are married.

You will also need a civil servant with a stamp to stamp your application after completion. Once you fill out all the required information, you will be able to download your vetting application form which will be required for the next phase.

Ghana passport renewal forms

If you are renewing your passport, then you will need to select “Renew Passport”. In this case, you should already have an account and once you log in, you can follow the prompts to fill out the passport renewal form and download your vetting slip once you are done.

During this process, you will pay for your passport application within the system. Payment can be made with mobile money or credit or debit cards.

Requirements for new passport application online:

Birth certificate
Proof of Ghanaian citizenship; National ID Card (Ghana Card)
Proof of profession
Completed online appointment slip

Employed Applicants: An introductory letter from the employer or a work ID card bearing the applicant’s name, organization’s name, and position.
Students: A student ID.
Homemakers, Housewives, Unemployed Applicants, and those in the Non-formal Sector (e.g., mechanics, hairdressers, seamstresses, traders): No proof required.
Registered Business Owners and Self-employed Applicants: Business registration certificate as proof.

Requirements for Biometric Passport Renewals

For Biometric Passport Renewals, you will need the following:

Old/Expired passport
Proof of profession if changed
Completed online appointment slip

Requirements for Black Book Passport Renewal

For Black Book Passport Renewal, you will need the following:

First page (Coat of Arms and Director’s signature)
Bio-data page with picture and information
Valid visa if applicable (from the old passport)
Profession page
Proof of profession if it has changed

Requirements for Missing Passport

For a Missing Passport application, you will need the following:

Police report
Statutory Declaration (Affidavit)
Proof of identity
(e.g. Copy of the biodata page of the missing passport or National ID Card)
Birth certificate
Completed online appointment slip

Requirements for Damaged Passport

For a Damaged Passport application, you will need the following:

Damaged passport
Statutory Declaration (Affidavit)
Completed online appointment slip

Requirements for Change of Name

For a passport application, you will need the following:

Marriage/divorce certificate
Statutory Declaration (Affidavit)
Gazette Notification
Completed online appointment slip

Requirements for Applicants Below 18

For applicants below 18, you will need the following to apply for a passport:

Birth certificate
Parent’s or guardian’s National ID

Phase 2 – Passport Appointment and Vetting

The premium passport application office is located within the Accra digital centre. (When you drive in take the third left turn and drive to the the end of the road. The premium passport application centre is located on your right side.)

You need to come with a copy of your Vetting Appointment Slip which you can download from your dashboard after you apply for a passport. The Vetting Appointment Slip contains details about your interview location and time.

There are morning and afternoon appointments which are conducted every day.

Once you enter, you will submit your Vetting Appointment Slip to an officer. You are given the option to go extra premium, to skip the queue for GHC 150 in addition to the GHC 200 premium fee that you will be paying.

If you selected the standard application, you will be directed to the old passport office in Kinbu, Accra, near the Tema Station. The details will be on your appointment slip. The fee here is GHC 100. There are a lot more people here and it can take almost the entire day to get verrified.

Now back to the premium office. What happens here is replicated at the standard office.

Once submit your vetting form, your application will be processed and you will be vetted by the Ghana Passport Office, Ghana Immigration, Ghana Police and National Security Service to verify if all the information provided is accurate.

You might just speak to one representative though but you will receive stamps from all these offices that are represented at the passport office.

Once verified, you will then proceed to the payment section where you pay the GHC 200 premium fees. Mobile money, debit and credit cards and cash are allowed.

You will then move to the submission and biometric area where your biometric details will be verified and a picture will be taken.

That’s it. You are advised to dress well and wear colours that are not white or cream since you will be taking a picture against a white background.

Unfortunately, photography is not allowed in the premium office but it is an executive office with modern amenities. The entire process takes about an hour depending on the number of people present. The staff at the premium office seem to be well-trained and helpful.

The room is also designed to have traffic flow from one station to another in a linear manner which is much appreciated.

You will receive a receipt. You need to keep this receipt as you will submit it when picking up your passport.

Phase 3 – Passport Pickup

The old method used to be this; You will receive a text message from the Passport Application Centre when your passport is ready for pickup. However, due to occasional network issues, some applicants may not receive this notification. In my experience, it took 82 days from the date of vetting until my passport was ready, so I would estimate an average processing time of around 90 days.

Passport Pickup Duration

With the new system in place, passports should be ready within 15 days for standard and 5 days to 24 hours for the expedited process. This is a first in Ghana.

The online passport application process in Ghana is a smooth one in general. There are companies that you can hire to help you with the entire process which comes at an extra fee but is also more convenient if you don’t have the time to spare.

The new passport application process—from submission to collection— is a smooth one now.

In 2024, it took me roughly 8 months. I started my application in March, was vetted in July and finally picked up my passport 82 days later in November, which is almost as long as a full-term pregnancy! 😂 That’s just too long.

It’s refreshing to know that you can get your passports in Ghana delivered to your doorstep in just a little over 2 weeks of application.

I hope this article has been helpful in navigating the process of applying for a Ghanaian passport. Below, you’ll find a list of the various passport application centres in Ghana to assist you further.

Passport Application Centres

#	LOCATION	ADDRESS
1	Accra PAC	Kinbu Road (Old Foreign Affairs)
2	Kumasi PAC	Guggisberg Road, Opposite PWD, Adum, Ministries
3	Takoradi PAC	Ghana Immigration Head Quarters (Within the Regional Administration)
4	Sunyani PAC	Adjacent to Jubilee (shares a wall with the Park)
5	Ho PAC	Regional Administration (Shares building with Immigration)
6	Tamale PAC	Police Park (Old Library)
7	Ridge PAC	Ridge
8	Premium PAC – Accra	Accra Digital Center, Adjacent State Housing Company, Ring Road West, Accra
9	Tema PAC	Former IRS Office, Community 4, Tema
10	Koforidua PAC	PWD Office, SSNIT Office Area, Koforidua.
11	Premium PAC – Kumasi	2nd Floor, Thankful Heights Building, Adum, Kumasi
12	Premium PAC – Tamale	2nd Floor, Pension Tower, Tamale
13	Cape Coast PAC	Opposite Ford Station
14	Wa PAC	Block C, Regional Coordination Council, Wa