Ghanaian applicants secured 499 H-1B Visas in FY 2024, with April 2024 as the peak month

Key Takeaways

  • Ghana secured 499 H-1B visa approvals in FY 2024, averaging about 42 per month.
  • April 2024 was the highest month with 80 visas, while September 2024 dropped sharply to just 16.
  • Visa issuances were relatively steady until early 2024, before a mid-year surge and late-year decline.
  • Ghana ranks second in Africa for H-1B visas, behind Nigeria, reflecting its growing pool of skilled professionals abroad.

Ghana’s H-1B visa issuances in FY 2024 reveal steady growth punctuated by sharp swings. Out of 499 total approvals, April 2024 emerged as the peak month with 80, marking a significant surge compared to earlier months. However, this momentum slowed dramatically by September, when approvals plunged to just 16. Averaging 42 approvals monthly, Ghana remains the second-largest African contributor of skilled talent to the U.S. through the H-1B programme. While the numbers are small compared to global giants like India and China, Ghana’s consistent presence underscores the country’s expanding footprint in the global labor market for specialised skills.

Source:

US Department of State

Period:

Fiscal year 2024
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Nigerians have spent an estimated $193 million on U.S. visitor visa application fees since 2018
  • Estimated visitor visa fee spending reached $193 million between FY 2018 and FY 2025.
  • Applicants paid the fee whether their visas were approved or refused.
  • Estimated spending peaked at $49.8 million in FY 2018.
  • Spending recovered to $25.1 million in FY 2024 before falling to $23.2 million in FY 2025.
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  • C3 visas posted the largest numerical increase, rising by 949.
  • H2A agricultural worker visas increased by 820 to 15,623.
  • B1/B2 visitor visas recorded the biggest decline, falling by 109,653.

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Nearly 2.8 million African-born immigrants live in the US as of 2023, led by Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Egypt
  • In 2023, the total number of African-born immigrants in the US was about 2.79 million.
  • Western Africa is the largest source region, contributing 1.08 million immigrants (39%), led by Nigeria (476k).
  • Eastern Africa is the second-largest source (28%), dominated by Ethiopia (278.2k).
  • Northern Africa accounts for 17%, mainly from Egypt (225.7k).
  • Central Africa contributes 8%, with Cameroon (90.7k) as the top country.
  • Southern Africa is smaller at 5%, almost entirely from South Africa (133.4k).
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H-1B visa programme shows rising demand with 427k petitions filed in 2024
  • Petitions peaked in 2022, with 474,301 filed, but only 442,043 approved, marking the widest gap in the five-year period.
  • 2021 was unique, as approvals (407,071) actually exceeded the number of petitions filed (398,269), reflecting carryovers or adjustments from prior years.
  • 2023 saw the lowest filings and approvals, at just under 387,000 each, signalling reduced demand or stricter caps.
  • By 2024, filings rebounded to over 427,000, but approvals lagged at 399,402, continuing the trend of more petitions being filed than granted.

Nigerian nationals received 880 H-1B visas in FY 2024, with the highest number of approvals recorded in December 2023
  • Nigeria received a total of 880 H-1B visas in FY 2024, averaging about 73 per month.
  • December 2023 was the peak month, with 118 issuances, while June 2024 recorded the lowest at just 46.
  • Issuances fluctuated throughout the year, reflecting no clear upward trend but significant month-to-month volatility.
  • Despite peaks and dips, overall activity remained steady, with most months ranging between 60–90 approvals.

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