Government increases fees for rotator permits, resident permits

IMPACT – MEDIUM

What is the change? Ghana Immigration Services is raising government filing fees for certain work permits and residence permits.

What does the change mean? The fee for rotator permits for oil and gas workers will double from US$500 to $1,000. Resident permits will increase from $300 to $500. A resident permit fee of $300 will be introduced for nationals of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and $150 for Ghanaians holding foreign passports. The monthly penalty for expiration of a resident permit will increase from $50 to $180 (and from $30 to $60 for ECOWAS nationals and $20 to $30 for Ghanaians holding foreign passports).

• Implementation time frame: May 15.
• Visas/permits affected: Rotator permits, Residence permits.
• Who is affected: Companies sponsoring foreign nationals in Ghana.
• Business impact: The new government fees will increase costs for employers of certain foreign workers.

BAL Analysis: Companies applying for rotator permits and resident permits should budget for the government fee increases.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group and our network provider located in Ghana. For additional information, please contact your BAL attorney.

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