By Belinda Nketia
The U.S. Embassy in Ghana announced on February 17, 2026 that it has opened more than 1,000 new B1/B2 non-immigrant visa interview appointments for the coming week. The move aims to reduce wait times and help applicants in Ghana secure earlier interviews for travel to the United States.
The announcement was made on the embassy’s official social media platforms. Officials encouraged applicants to book new appointments or reschedule existing ones set for later in the year.
“This is a great time to schedule your interview,” the embassy said in its message. “One of those slots could be yours.”
B1/B2 visas are used for short-term travel, including tourism, business visits, and family trips. Demand for these visas has remained high in recent years, often leading to long waiting periods for appointments at consular missions.
The timing of the announcement comes as global travel interest grows ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The expanded tournament is expected to attract millions of visitors, including fans, media, and business travellers from around the world.
While the embassy did not directly link the new appointments to the World Cup, travel analysts say large international events often increase demand for visitor visas months before kick-off.
The embassy also advised applicants to use official booking channels and warned against third-party agents who claim to guarantee faster processing.
The additional appointment slots may offer relief for Ghanaian travellers who have postponed plans due to limited availability. With global travel expected to surge ahead of the World Cup, the expanded access could help applicants prepare early for one of the busiest travel periods in recent years.
