How it works
What this registration means
External company registration is for a body corporate incorporated outside Ghana that needs to register a Ghana place of business. It is not the same as forming a new Ghana limited liability company.
The filing depends on foreign statutory documents and Ghana local manager details. The application flow keeps the foreign company record, local representative, uploads, and declaration in one structured path.
The major statutory fees are USD-denominated. Checkout converts them to Ghana cedis only when the Bank of Ghana rate is available, so the payment amount matches the required statutory fees.
Registration steps
Step-by-step external company path
Confirm the foreign-branch route
Decide whether the foreign company is registering a Ghana place of business or whether a separate Ghana company or subsidiary business name is the better structure.
Collect foreign statutory documents
Prepare the incorporation certificate, constitution or charter, beneficial ownership statement, power of attorney, and other notarised records before submission.
Add local manager records
Forms 20 and 21 depend on the Ghana local manager or representative details, local address, and authority to act for the foreign company.
Review USD statutory fees
The checkout converts ORC USD-denominated fees into Ghana cedis only when a current Bank of Ghana rate is available.
Submit and track the registration
After review and payment, the admin team can check the statutory uploads, prepare the filing pack, and move the registration through the workflow.
Fees and exchange rates
Costs to plan for
- ORC registration
- USD 1,400 equivalent
- Certified true copy
- USD 30 equivalent
- Other USD statutory fees
- Group accounts and Form 22/23 fees may apply depending on the filing context
- Service charge
- Shown separately at checkout and managed through admin pricing settings
Official fees and requirements can change. The guide was last reviewed in July 2026 against public ORC and GRA guidance, but you should confirm the latest position before filing.
After registration
Post-registration obligations
- Keep foreign company records, local manager information, beneficial ownership details, and Ghana contact information current.
- File statutory updates when the foreign company, local representative, registered address, or governing documents change.
- Prepare for group-account or annual filing duties where applicable after registration.
- Track GRA, immigration, sector regulator, employment, and local permit obligations separately from the ORC registration.
Common mistakes
Issues to avoid before filing
Using the subsidiary business name route when the actual entity is a foreign company establishing a Ghana place of business.
Uploading local Ghana company documents instead of the foreign company certificate, charter, and authority documents.
Starting payment before USD statutory fees can be safely converted into Ghana cedis.
Frequently asked questions
Answers before you start
Is an external company the same as a Ghana subsidiary? +
No. An external company is a foreign-incorporated company registered to operate in Ghana. A Ghana subsidiary is usually a separate Ghana entity or business name route.
Why are the ORC fees shown in USD? +
The external company statutory fees are USD-denominated in the fee schedule and are converted to Ghana cedis at checkout using the Bank of Ghana rate.
Does beneficial ownership apply to external companies? +
ORC FAQ guidance includes external companies among entities that must provide beneficial ownership information.
Official resources