The Immigration Act, 2000 (Act 573) is the primary law governing the entry, residence, employment, and removal of foreign nationals in Ghana. It re-enacted and updated the country’s immigration laws to align with the 1992 Constitution and modern border management standards.
The Act empowers the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) to oversee visa issuance, residence and work permits, deportation procedures, and border enforcement. It also defines categories such as prohibited immigrants, indefinite residence, and right of abode — the latter allowing individuals of African descent in the diaspora to live permanently in Ghana.
Through its detailed provisions, Act 573 ensures that the movement of people into and out of Ghana is lawful, safe, and consistent with national interests. It works in tandem with the Citizenship Act, 2000 (Act 591) to create a unified framework for regulating nationality and migration in Ghana.