Ghanaians seeking to apply for visas to the United Kingdom will now be required to submit their applications through a new Visa Application Centre (VAC) starting from October 22, 2024. The UK government has announced that VFS Global will replace the previous service provider, TLScontact, in managing visa applications in Ghana.
This change applies to both new applicants and those who have already started the process with TLScontact. Affected applicants will receive email notifications with further instructions on how to complete their applications with VFS Global. However, UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) assured the public that the switch in service providers will not impact visa application decisions, processing times, or prices.
In a statement on the UK government website, it was emphasized that the new VAC aims to enhance service efficiency, with improvements such as shorter biometric and application submission times expected. The statement added, “The UK’s global network of VACs is managed by third-party suppliers on behalf of UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).”
Marc Owen, Director for Visa, Status, and Information Services at UKVI, described the change as a significant step in improving the visa process for applicants worldwide. “The opening of our new VAC in Ghana marks an exciting milestone in the provision of a world-class UK visa operation, one which will provide important digital innovations and convenience to customers around the world,” he said.
The new location for the Visa Application Centre in Ghana is the Mezzanine Floor, Grand Oyeeman Building, South Liberation Link, Accra.
For more information on the changes and updates, applicants can visit the official UK government website at www.gov.uk. Additionally, to locate the nearest Visa Application Centre, visit: www.gov.uk/find-a-visa-application-centre.