Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration has announced a new visa policy from the United Kingdom (UK), set to take effect on January 1, 2025, that will impact all travellers to the UK.
The UK government announced early this year that it will be replacing all physical visa documentation with Electronic Visas (E-Visas), including current physical visas in passports, Biometric Residence Permits (BRP), and Biometric Residence Cards (BRC).
According to the British High Commission, these documents will no longer be valid beyond December 31, 2024.
The new E-Visa system is central to making the UK safer by reducing the risk of fraud, loss, and abuse of physical documents, strengthening border security, and providing a more secure way to prove immigration status. This will pave the way for increased automation to deliver the government’s vision for a contactless border.
It is free and straightforward for customers who hold physical and paper documents to create a UKVI account to access their eVisa. Creating a UKVI account will not change, impact or remove customers’ current immigration status or their rights in the UK.
Key Points:
Transition to E-Visas: Starting January 1, 2025, all individuals planning to stay in the UK for more than six months will need to apply for an E-Visa. The E-Visa will be the only valid document for long-term stays.
BRP Expiry: Holders of Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs) with permissions to live, work, or study in the UK must transition to E-Visas, as all BRP cards will expire on December 31, 2024, regardless of their original expiration date.
Travel Advisory: The Ministry advises those planning to travel outside the UK during the holiday season to secure their E-Visas before December 31, 2024, to avoid complications with re-entry.
This information was contained in an advisory signed by the Ministry’s Acting Director for Information and Public Affairs Bureau, Victor N. A. Adamah on Monday, November 4.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs further urged all affected individuals to prepare for this transition by visiting the British High Commission’s official website or contacting UK immigration authorities for guidance on how to apply for E-Visas.