Are you a Ghanaian passport holder who wants to renew your passport online? Do you want to learn about the online passport application system Ghana, the requirements, fees, payment methods, and delivery options? If yes, then this blog post is for you!
In this post, I will guide you through the steps of renewing your passport online in Ghana, using the official website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration (MFA). I will also share some useful information and advice to help you avoid common mistakes and delays in the process.
Table of Contents
- Why renew your passport online?
- What is the online Ghana passport application system?
- How to renew your passport online in Ghana?
- What are the requirements, fees, payment methods and delivery options for renewing your passport online in Ghana?
- Things to consider when renewing your Ghana passport online
- Conclusion
Why renew your passport online?
Renewing your passport online in Ghana has many benefits over the old way of going to a passport office to start the process. Here are some of them:
– It is faster and easier. You can complete the application form, book an appointment, and make payment online at your convenience. You only need to visit the office to submit your information.
– It is cheaper. You can save money on transport and other expenses by renewing your Ghana passport online.
– Reducing errors and delays by filling out the Ghana passport application form electronically.
– It is safer and more secure. You can avoid the risk of losing your documents or being scammed by middlemen or fraudsters by renewing your passport online.
– It is more flexible. You can choose from different application types, payment methods including mobile money and bank cards, and delivery options to suit your needs and preferences.
– Having your passport delivered to your doorstep or picking it up at the nearest collection point
What is the online Ghana passport application system?
The online passport application system is a service provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration of Ghana. It allows you to apply for a new passport or renew an existing one through the internet. You can also track the status of your application and receive notifications via email or SMS.
How to renew your passport online in Ghana?
To renew your passport online in Ghana, you need to follow these steps:
1. Visit the online passport application website.
2. Click on “Existing User? Login Here” if you have already created an account on the website, or click on “New User? Register Here” if you are a new user.
3. If you are a new user, you need to create an account on Ghana.gov, which is the official portal for accessing government services online. You need to provide your email address, phone number and other details, and verify your account with a one-time password (OTP) sent to your phone.
4. After creating an account on Ghana.gov, you need to authorise the passport application portal to access your details. You will be redirected to the passport application platform where you can start your application.
5. If you are an existing user, you need to sign in with your email address and password on Ghana.gov, and then authorise the passport application portal to access your details. You will be redirected to the passport application platform where you can continue your application.
6. On the passport application platform, you need to choose the type of application you want to make. There are four types of applications available:
– Standard Application 32 Pages: This costs GHS 100.00 and takes 15 working days to process.
– Standard Application 48 Pages: This costs GHS 150.00 and takes 15 working days to process.
– Expedited Application 32 Pages: This costs GHS 150.00 and takes 5 working days to process.
– Expedited Application 48 Pages: This costs GHS 200.00 and takes 5 working days to process.
7. After choosing the type of application, you need to make payment for the processing fee. You can pay online using different channels such as Visa & MasterCard, MTN Mobile Money, Vodafone Cash or Ghana.Gov Pay. You can also pay offline at any branch of Ecobank Ghana, GCB Bank or Zenith Bank Ghana.
8. After making payment, you need to verify your voucher by entering the voucher code and PIN on the website. You will receive a confirmation message and an email with your application ID and reference number.
9. After verifying your voucher, you need to fill in the online application form with your personal details, contact information, previous passport details and guarantor details. You also need to upload scanned copies of your old passport (bio-data page and last page), birth certificate (proof of Ghanaian citizenship) and proof of profession (such as an introductory letter from your employer, a student ID card or a business registration certificate).
10. After filling in the online application form, you need to review it carefully and submit it. You will receive another confirmation message and email with a link to book an appointment at a passport application centre (PAC) of your choice.
11. After booking an appointment, you need to print out a copy of your application summary sheet and appointment slip. You also need to prepare two copies of each of the following documents:
– Your old passport
– If your old passport is lost:
- Police Report
- Affidavit
- Proof of Identity
– Your birth certificate
– Your proof of profession
– Your application summary sheet
– Your appointment slip
12. On the day of your appointment, you need to go to the PAC you selected with your documents and a passport-sized photograph. You need to arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled time and follow the instructions of the staff at the PAC. You will have your biometric data captured (fingerprints, signature and photograph) and your documents verified by an officer.
13. After completing the biometric enrolment and verification process, you will receive a receipt with a tracking number. You can use this number to check the status of your application online or by calling the MFA:
Tel: +233 240793072
+233 240913284.
Email: info@mfa.gov.gh
14. After your application is processed and approved, you will receive a notification by email or SMS to collect your new passport. You can choose to collect it yourself at the PAC where you applied, or have it delivered to your address by a courier service for an extra fee.
What are the requirements, fees, payment methods and delivery options for renewing your passport online in Ghana?
The requirements for renewing your passport online in Ghana are:
– A valid Ghanaian passport that is not damaged or expired for more than 10 years
– A valid email address and phone number
– A scanner or a smartphone to capture digital copies of your documents
– A printer to print out the application summary sheet and payment receipt
– A guarantor who is a Ghanaian citizen above 18 years old and has a valid passport or national ID card
The fees for renewing your passport online in Ghana
– Standard processing fee:
GHS100 for 32 pages for 15 working days
GHS150 for 48 pages for 15 working days
– Expedited processing fee:
GHS150 for 32 pages for 5 working days
GHS200 for 48 pages for 5 working days
The payment methods for renewing your Ghana passport online
These are the approved payment channels for renewing your passport online:
– Mobile money (MTN Mobile Money or Vodafone Cash)
– Bank card (VISA or MasterCard)
– Ghana.Gov Pay
The delivery options for renewing your passport online in Ghana are:
– Self-collection at the selected passport application centre or collection point
– Home delivery by courier service (additional fee applies)
How to troubleshoot common problems when renewing your passport online in Ghana?
Some of the common problems that you may encounter when renewing your passport online in Ghana are:
– Inability to access previous application due to expired account: If you have not logged into your account for more than six months, it will expire and you will need to create a new one with the same email address and phone number as before. You will then be able to access your old application under “My Application“.
– Inability to upload documents due to large file size: If your scanned documents are larger than 1 MB each, you will need to reduce their file size by using an online tool such as I love PDF or PDF2Go.
– Inability to pay due to network or system failure: If you encounter any difficulty in making payment, you can try again later or contact the customer service of the payment channel you used. You can also check the status of your payment by logging into your account and clicking on “Payment History“.
– Inability to book an appointment due to unavailability of slots: If you do not see any available slots for your preferred passport application centre, you can try another centre or check back later as new slots are added regularly. You can also change your appointment date by logging into your account and clicking on “Appointment“.
– Inability to collect or receive passport due to delay or loss: If you do not receive any notification about your passport within the expected processing time (15 working days for standard or 5 working days for expedited), you can track the status of your application by logging into your account and clicking on “Track Application“. You can also contact the passport office or courier service for further assistance.
Things to consider when renewing your Ghana passport online
– Make sure you have a stable internet connection and a compatible browser (such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox or Safari) when using the website.
– Make sure you enter your details correctly and accurately on the website and on the documents. Any mistake or discrepancy can cause delays or rejection of your application.
– Make sure you upload clear and legible scanned copies of your documents. The file size should not exceed 1 MB for each document.
– Make sure you choose the right type of application and payment method for your needs and preferences. You cannot change them after submitting your application.
– Make sure you book an appointment at a PAC that is convenient for you and has available slots. You cannot change your appointment date or time after booking it.
– Make sure you print out your application summary sheet and appointment slip and bring them along with your documents to the PAC. You will not be allowed to proceed without them.
– Make sure you follow the COVID-19 safety protocols at the PAC, such as wearing a face mask, washing your hands, using hand sanitiser and observing social distancing where applicable.
– Make sure you check the status of your application regularly online or by calling the MFA hotline. Do not rely on rumours or unofficial sources of information.
– Make sure you collect your new passport as soon as possible after receiving the notification. Your old passport will be cancelled and returned to you.
- If you are travelling out of the country, consider if you need a UK Visa TB certificate, covid19 vaccination card, or a yellow fever card.
Conclusion
Renewing your Ghana passport online is a convenient and fast way to get your passport ready for travel. You just need to follow the steps outlined in this blog post, pay the processing fee, book an appointment, visit the passport office, and wait for your passport. You can also avoid common problems by following the troubleshooting tips provided. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them below. Thank you for reading and happy travelling!
GH Info Site 