Applying for a Ghanaian passport has become easier with the introduction of the online application system. Applicants can now complete most of the process on their phones or computers before visiting a Passport Application Centre (PAC) for biometric data capture.

The process begins on the official Ghana Passport application portal, passport.mfa.gov.gh. Applicants must create an account or sign in, complete the online application form and provide the required personal information and supporting documents.

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Applicants are advised to check all details carefully before submitting their forms to avoid errors that could delay processing.

Passport fees and processing times vary depending on the type of service selected.

A regular 32-page passport costs GH¢350 and takes 15 working days to process, while the regular 48-page passport costs GH¢644, with the same processing time.

For applicants who need their passports sooner, an expedited 32-page passport costs GH¢700 and takes seven working days. The expedited 48-page option costs GH¢800 and also takes seven working days.

The premium 48-page passport costs GH¢2,000, with processing expected within 24 to 48 hours.

The fee for the regular 32-page passport was reduced from GH¢500 to GH¢350 in November 2025 as part of efforts to make passports more affordable.

However, processing times may vary if applicants submit incomplete documents, provide information that requires further verification or fail to complete biometric registration.

After filling out the online form, applicants must make payment through the approved options on the portal and keep their payment confirmation.

They must then book an appointment at a Passport Application Centre and attend with the required original documents and application summary form for their biometric details to be captured.

Applicants can also use the online system to track updates on the status of their applications.

The Passport Service provides home delivery within Ghana at no additional cost, allowing applicants to receive their passports without returning to the application centre for collection.

Applicants are encouraged to follow the official instructions and check the portal for the latest information on fees, processing times and available services.

How the passport application process worked before

Before the online system became mandatory on March 1, 2020, the application process was largely paper-based.

Applicants had to purchase physical application forms, often from designated banks, fill them out by hand and obtain the required signatures and supporting documents before submitting them for processing.

The old system was also associated with long queues at passport offices, making the process time-consuming for many applicants.

Some applicants relied on intermediaries popularly known as “goro boys” to help them navigate the application process or seek faster service. This sometimes made the process difficult and costly for applicants.

Today, applicants can complete several stages online before visiting a passport centre for biometric registration. The system has reduced reliance on paper forms and made information about application fees, appointments and processing times more accessible.

Despite these changes, applicants must still attend a Passport Application Centre to complete the biometric registration stage.

ANAS/MA

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