No government forex form needed - but plan for the FX levy and card limits
Unlike Nigeria's CBN Form A, Ghana has no mandatory government forex form for tuition - the cedi is convertible and you pay your university directly. The visa fee (£558) and the healthcare surcharge (£776/year) are paid in pounds during your online application. Tuition is best sent by bank transfer. Here's how to do it without losing money or time.
| Payment | How it's paid | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Visa application fee (£558) | Online during the application | Charged in local currency at the day's rate |
| Healthcare surcharge / IHS (£776 per year) | Online during the application | Pounds only - cannot be paid in cedis |
| University tuition (or deposit) | Bank transfer (SWIFT) to the university | Usually GBP |
Ghanaian banks now apply a foreign-exchange levy (around 5%) on forex transactions. That makes the real cedi cost of a pounds payment higher than the headline mid-market rate. Ask your bank for the all-in rate including the levy and charges before you send, and compare two or three banks.
Cedi debit and credit cards often carry low foreign-currency limits, so a large tuition payment by card can be declined. A bank transfer is more reliable for big amounts; keep cards for smaller online payments.
The cedi-pound rate moves. When you budget - and when you prepare proof of funds - add 5-10% on top of the minimum so a swing on payment or application day doesn't catch you short.
Last updated: June 2026. FX rules and levies change - confirm current charges with your bank and the Bank of Ghana.