35,000 Ghanaians apply for UK visas in 2012
The UK Border Agency (UKBA) says about 35,000 Ghanaians applied for UK visas in the year 2012.
The West African hub of the agency based in Accra received 50,000 applications from West African nationals (except Nigeria) last year.
“The Accra Visa Section received around 50,000 applications in 2012, around 35,000 of which were from Ghanaians,” the UKBA said in a note made available to journalists during a Media Open Day held at the UK High Commission in Accra March 7, 2013.
The agency noted that most applications from Ghanaians for a UK visa were successful. “About 60-70% were issued visas,” said Nick Crouch, Head of UKBA for West Africa.
In August 2011, the Visa Section of the High Commission and its commercial partner, VFS Global introduced an online appointment system for the submission of visa applications and biometrics.
The UKBA says it processes about 90% of non-settlement visa applications in 15 working days.
By Ekow Quandzie