US Visa Curbs Fail to Deter Young Ghanaians from Pursuing the American Dream

By Neerav September 4, 2025
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New visa restrictions imposed by the United States have done little to dampen the ambitions of Ghanaian students determined to pursue higher education in America.

Under the updated rules, Ghana is among those 26 countries where applicants will only be eligible for single-entry, three-month nonimmigrant visas, forcing students to reapply if they wish to re-enter the US after this period. Despite this, young Ghanaians remain undeterred, convinced that the quality of education and opportunities in the US outweigh the hurdles.

Speaking to The PIE News, Mark Awuku Dabah, a fourth-year journalism student at the University of Media, Arts and Communications in Accra, said the restrictions would not stop him from following his dream. “In Ghana, lecture halls are overcrowded and there is little practical training. Studying in the US would provide the right environment and real-world experience,” he said.

Fellow student Christabel Amoabeng echoed this sentiment, adding that beyond academics, the chance to forge lifelong connections with peers from across the globe makes the US particularly attractive.

For recent high school graduate Bernard Osei, the dream is even more ambitious. His goal is to study medicine at Harvard University. “Studying in the US gives you a qualification that is respected worldwide. I have always imagined being part of that community,” he explained.

EducationUSA Ghana highlighted the scale of this aspiration. According to US Embassy data, 9,394 Ghanaian students studied in America during the 2023-24 academic year, a record high. Ghana now ranks 13th globally for international student numbers in the US, with graduate enrolments up by 54%.

The Institute of International Education’s Open Doors report confirms this trend, noting that most international students in the US pursue STEM courses, with mathematics and computer science leading the way.

While visa curbs add new layers of complexity, the determination of Ghanaian students suggests that the American dream remains alive – and firmly within their sights.

Source: THE PIE NEWS

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