Brigade Preparation Requirements
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      1. Brigade Support
      2. Preparing to Brigade
      3. Brigade Preparation Requirements

      Passport and Visa Requirements

      Passport and visa requirements to participate on an in-person Brigade

      U.S. Citizens

      Visa to Enter Honduras, Guatemala, Belize, Panama or Greece

      U.S. citizens are not required to apply for visas to enter Honduras, Guatemala, Belize, Panama or Greece. 


      Visa to Enter Ghana

      All U.S. citizens will need to apply for a visa to enter Ghana. Global Brigades requires that you apply for an expedited tourist visa through the Ghana Consulate in Houston or the District of Columbia. You can learn more at the Ghanaian DC Consulate website. 

      Directions:

      • Confirm that your passport will be valid for 6 months after you depart from Ghana. If not, you will need to renew your passport.
      • Print out your flight itinerary, which you will receive once flights are booked. Ask your Chapter Leader if you have any questions about your group's flights.
      • Fill out the online itinerary, following the on-page instructions.
      • Gather your supporting documents. Each application must be sent with all required documents at the same time, or it will be rejected. Documents include:   
        • 2 passport-size photographs with a white background 
        • Proof of return flight ticket
        • Original valid passport 
        • Letter of Intent provided by your Program Associate
      • For your application form(s), you will be applying as a tourist, so make sure you check the tourism box.  For Profession/Occupation, you may put "Student."
        • For the "References" requested on your form(s):

          Shafiu Shaibu (+233 24 440 7891 / +233 20 032 3146) GW-0019-2626, First Goil Street, Abease, Amasaman, Accra, Ga, West Municipality.

          For the "Accommodation Address" requested on your form(s): 

          Weda Lodge
          P.O. Box 34, Anomabo, Ghana
          Central Region Phone: +233 20 814 0435
      • Place all required documents, application forms, the application fee, and a prepaid return envelope together in a trackable envelope (e.g. FedEx) so that your passport may be returned. Make sure to indicate the type of processing being requested (e.g. regular or rush) and include payment for the visa. Check the Consulate website for more details about pricing and accepted payment methods.  
      • Send the application packet to the Ghana Consulate via a trackable envelope. Overnight delivery is recommended anytime you are sending sensitive original documents, such as a passport, in the mail. Mailing addresses can be found at Consulate websites.

      Canadian Citizens

      Visa to Enter Honduras, Guatemala, Belize, Panama or Greece

      Canadian citizens are not required to apply for visas to enter Honduras, Guatemala, Belize, Panama or Greece.

      Visa to Enter Ghana

      All Canadian citizens will need to apply for a visa to enter Ghana. 

      Directions:

      • Download the “Application for Ghana Permit/Visa” found here at the Ghana High Commission Canada Website. 
      • Gather the supplemental documents. Applications must be sent with ALL of the following documents: 
        • 4 copies of the visa application form, filled out in CAPITAL LETTERS
        • 4 recent color passport-size pictures
        • A valid Canadian passport (with an expiration date at least 6 months from the time of the Brigade's departure date)
        • A letter of invitation from Global Brigades (email your Program Associate for this)
        • A copy of an official Ghanaian government-issued photo ID of the Brigade's host (email your Program Associate for this)
        • Photocopy of yellow fever immunization
        • Photocopy of travel itinerary
        • Proof of Canadian citizenship (or resident permit, if the applicant isn't a Canadian Citizen). Make sure to provide the original document. For the contact information requested in Item 9, put the following:
          • Benson Adjei (+233265524850) Block 14, Flat T3, SSNIT Flats, Asuoyeboa, Kumasi, Ghana
      • Payments should be made by bank draft or postal money order to the Ghana High Commission, Ottawa. Personal checks or cash will NOT be accepted.
      • If applying by post, place all the supplemental documents, application form, payment, and a completed self-addressed stamped envelope (either an xpresspost/registered, priority, or courier pre-paid envelope, so that your passport can be returned). 
      • Send documents to:

      Ghana High Commission in Ottawa
      1 Clemow Avenue
      Ottawa, ON K1S 2A9, 
      Canada

      🔍 Important Additional Information:

      If applying in person, bring all documents, application form, and payment to the Ghana High Commission in Ottawa. Arrange to pick up your passport or provide a completed self-addressed stamped envelope (either an xpresspost/registered, priority, or courier pre-paid envelope). 

      If you can't contact your Program Associate for any reason during this process, please email admin@globalbrigades.org

      U.K. Citizens

      Visa to Enter Honduras, Panama or Greece

      U.K. citizens are not required to apply for visas to enter Honduras, Panama, or Greece.

      U.K. citizens with layovers in the USA are required to apply for travel authorization through ESTA. For more information, visit http://www.esta.us/.

      Visa to Enter Ghana

      All U.K. citizens will need to apply for a visa to enter Ghana. Please check the latest updates about visa applications at the Ghana High Commission website.

      Directions: 

      • All visitors to Ghana must have a valid passport or legal travel documents.
      • All visitors entering Ghana must have valid entry visas or, in the case of Commonwealth nationals, entry permits issued by a Ghana diplomatic mission, consulate abroad, or any other visa-issuing authority mandated by the Ghana Government to act on its behalf.
      • All travelers above 9 months coming into or transiting through Ghana are required to have been vaccinated against yellow fever at least 10 days from the proposed date of travel and where already vaccinated, provide evidence (certificate) indicating the duration of a vaccination status of not more than 10 years before entering Ghana.

      Requirement Checklist:

      • Visa application forms to be completed and signed
      • 2 color passport-size pictures to be pasted or stapled in the designated place on the application form
      • Business, residential addresses, and contact telephone numbers are to be provided
      • Occupation*
      • Financial means are to be indicated
      • Proposed date of travel
      • Names and addresses of references and accommodations in Ghana
      • Letter of consent from parent/legal guardian for minors under 18 years of age

      🔍 Important Additional Information:

      *You will be applying as a tourist. For Profession/Occupation, you may put “Student."

      • For the References requested on your form(s):

      Shafiu Shaibu (+233 24 440 7891 / +233 20 032 3146) GW-0019-2626, First Goil Street, Abease, Amasaman, Accra, Ga,  West Municipality.

      • For the Accommodation Address requested: 
      Weda Lodge
      P.O. Box 34, Anomabo, Ghana
      Central Region Phone: +233 20 814 0435

      Other Nationalities

      Please contact your local embassy or consulate to confirm all documentation needed to enter your destination country, as well as any country that you may be transiting through during travel.

      If you require a letter of invitation from Global Brigades to enter your Brigade country, please contact your Program Associate to request a letter.

      If you can't contact your Program Associate for any reason during this process, please email admin@globalbrigades.org