The British High Commissioner to Ghana, Harriet Thompson, has disclosed that 67,000 visas were granted to Ghanaians in 2023, facilitating entry into the United Kingdom.
Speaking on Joy News Special AM Show, Harriet Thompson explained that the British High Commission receives a high volume of visa applications annually, and it works diligently to approve those who meet the necessary guidelines.
She mentioned that 85% of applicants expressed satisfaction with the visa service they received.
“I think we granted 67,000 visas 2023, “We granted seven out of ten applications, and there is an 85% satisfaction rate with the service the people have received.”
The British High Commissioner highlighted that many of those granted visas are young people, with a significant portion traveling for educational opportunities.
She also highlighted a major concern noting that a significant number of applications are rejected because applicants fail to follow the visa application rules.
“Things tend to go wrong when people don’t follow the instructions on the website. For example, the money is meant to be in your bank account 28 days before your application, but if it’s only in there 10 days before, just follow the process properly.”
“You know what the rules are that apply to your visa, so make sure you stick to those rules,” she added.
Harriet Thompson advised Ghanaians to carefully read and follow the visa guidelines to avoid disqualification.
She emphasized that even in cases where applicants may be delayed by external factors, such as scholarship students facing issues with sponsors, the immigration rules must still be followed.
“In situations like that, it’s not the student’s fault, but the immigration rules still apply, and the students need to follow them,” she emphasised.
The British High Commissioner stressed the importance of compliance with the visa process to ensure smooth approval and to maintain the integrity of the application system.