GETTING STARTED IN GHANA
Starting life in a new country can be daunting for even the most experienced expat. No need to fear, though, Dwell Ghana is here to help you every step of the way. This handy Getting Started guide will give you a brief overview of what’s needed to get the ball rolling with regards to work and residence permits, banking and mobile phone accounts.
For more detailed information and assistance please don’t hesitate to contact us.
WORK AND RESIDENCE PERMITS
What is a Work Permit?
A work permit is an approval granted by the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) for the employment of foreign nationals in the country. A Ghana work permit is usually valid for 1 year (long term or standard work permit) and in some special cases 6 months (temporary work permit).
Why do I need a work permit?
A foreign national wanting to work in Ghana must have a work permit. It’s against the law for companies in Ghana are to hire workers who do not have the correct work permits.
Please note: the work permit is only the first stage in the work authorization process, and doesn’t actually entitle a prospective employee to engage in work activities in Ghana. To begin work activities in the country the applicant is required to also apply and obtain a residence permit. Most employers will help you to do so.
How do I get a work permit?
If it’s your decision to live and work in Ghana independently you will be responsible for the application procedure. If you are planning to move to Ghana on behalf of a company, it is the company that applies for you.
It’s important to know the type of business, and in which sector it wishes to operate, because this will determine the process for obtaining work permits. If the company is registered with one of the commission agencies listed below, which play significant roles in the country in line with the business sector, then they will apply through them. If the company is not registered with any of these entities, application is done directly at Ghana Immigration Service (GIS).
- Petroleum Commission
- Minerals Commission
- Ghana Free Zones Board (GFZB)
- Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC)
Documents required for obtaining a work and residence permit
From the Assignee/Employee:
- Application letter on company’s letterhead
- Two (2) recent passport pictures
- Copy of non-citizen ID Card (Obtained at the NIA office in Ghana )
- Copy of bio data page of passport of applicant (the passport is required be valid for more than six (6) months and there must be at least six (6) consecutive empty pages in your passport)
- Original passport
- Educational and professional certificates (Certificates are to be officially translated into English if it is in any other language)
- Curriculum Vitae / Resume (please ensure that name of assignee is the same as the one stated in their passport)
- Letter of employment / contract
- Medical report (Medical exam to be done at an approved Ghana Immigration Clinic)
- Police clearance certificate from employee’s country of origin or current residence
From the Employer:
- Business registration documents – certificate of incorporation, certificate of commencement of business, and company regulations
- Company’s current tax clearance certificate
- Company’s current audited accounts
How do I get a Dependent Residence Permit?
A foreign employee who holds a Residence Permit may apply for a Dependent Residence Permit for his or her dependents. Dependents include a spouse, children under 18 years of age, and parent (s) above the age of 60 years.
To apply for a Dependent Residence Permit you’ll need to submit the following documents:
- Application letter on Company’s letterhead requesting a Dependent Residence Permit
- Two passport size photographs of applicant
- Birth certificate (if child)
- Marriage Certificate (if spouse)
- Copy of Non-Citizens ID Card
- Copy of bio data page of passport of applicant
- Original passport
- Medical Report (medical exam to be done at an approved Ghana Immigration Clinic)
- Police clearance certificate from employee’s country of origin or current residence
BANK ACCOUNTS
Ghana is fortunate to have many local and international banks operating in the country. These offer a selection of services to both national citizens and expats. Current / cheque and savings accounts are relatively simple to open. Letters of credit and loans have more stringent requirements.
Types of Bank Accounts
Under current and saving accounts the different banks offer a variety of solutions, e.g. individual accounts, corporate accounts, foreign accounts, Diaspora current accounts, Foreign exchange accounts, children account, student accounts, etc. Banks in Ghana also have investment solutions one can consider, and some banks offer services specifically tailored to the Islamic community.
If your salary will be paid in a foreign currency during your stay in Ghana it is it advisable that you set up an offshore account with a major bank.
Why open a local bank account?
Many companies in Ghana have modernised and automated their core services, many of which require some sought of bank account for their transactions. There has also been an increase in the number of ATMs in the country, which helps in carrying less cash about, and therefore being safer. Other benefits that come with having a local bank account in Ghana include:
- Accessibility
- Ease of paying bills (which can be done online e.g. Mobile money, debit cards)
- Saving on transactions (paying internationally can be very expensive)
Most ATMs and point-of-sale systems in Ghana accept Visa cards. Expats planning to use a card locally that’s linked to their international account should make it a priority to get a Visa card.
How to set up a bank account
Opening an account in Ghana is very simple, but may vary slightly from bank to bank. Some banks may require a few additional processes for security and customer satisfaction purposes. Below is the basic process involved.
- Choose a bank
These may include factors such as location, accessibility, services offered, reputation, etc. Accra and other major cities in Ghana boast of a number of banks with multiple branches.
- Choose the type of banking service
Choose the account type that will suit your needs. Example is a personal saving account which is open to everyone as long as you are 18 years and above.
- Visit the selected bank and complete the application process
You will be attended to by a customer service representative who will help with the process. This usually consists of filling out a form and submitting the appropriate documentation. Usually, in opening a personal account, the only documentation you will require is a form of identification such as your valid passport. In some cases, more documents will be required such as a valid visa for Ghana, proof of residence, a reference letter from an account holder of the bank to which you are applying in Ghana, or a reference letter from your employer.
Once the application process has been completed allow the bank a few days to process the application, which involves verification of the information submitted. After application has gone through successfully you will be issued with your account details. You can then make deposits, withdrawals, pay bills, etc.
Reputable banks in Ghana
- Access Bank Limited
- Agricultural Development Bank Limited (ADB)
- Barclays Bank
- CAL Bank
- Ecobank
- Fidelity Bank
- First Atlantic Bank
- Ghana Commercial Bank
- HFC Bank
- National Investment Bank (NIB)
- Société Générale – Social Security Bank (SG – SSB)
- UBA
- Zenith Bank
MOBILE PHONE ACCOUNTS
Mobile phone penetration in the Ghanaian market has increased rapidly in recent years. The majority of the Ghanaian population owns a mobile phone, and mobiles are preferred over fixed phone lines, which are often unreliable.
There are 3 major mobile phone network providers in Ghana:
- MTN Ghana
- Vodafone
- AirtelTigo
There are two options for service users to choose from, i.e. pre-paid and post-paid, depending on your consumption wants and needs. Some operators also offer international packages for expats to phone abroad.
Pre-Paid Option:
This option requires the user to buy a mobile phone (or use an existing network unlocked phone) and a SIM card. SIM cards are usually very affordable. You will need to show an ID in order to buy a SIM card/chip. Pre-paid may initially appear to be the cheapest, but you will need to top up your credit regularly, depending on the airtime and data options you choose from.
Post-Paid Option:
With a post-paid mobile phone account you will receive a monthly bill for your phone use, according to the contract package and services you have selected from the provider. Many package options include a mobile phone and SIM card.
To apply for an account, and choose a contract package, you’ll need to complete an application at one of the operator’s retail shops. As an expatriate, additional documents may be required such as proof of identity, residence permit, proof of billing address and bank statement. The month fee for a post-paid contract depends on your package selection and your consumption.
Some provider also offer international packages, which include international phone calls. All service providers offer internet data packages as fixed internet access is not yet available in many areas. It is also important to know that service providers like MTN and Vodafone provide 4G coverage countrywide.
Still not confident about handling these applications and processes yourself? Not to worry! The Dwell Ghana Settling in Program covers permits, banking, phone accounts, and so much more. Relax and enjoy getting to know Ghana while we arrange everything for you. To find out more please visit our Settling in Program page.
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Photo credit: Mariam Ottimofiore
