Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration has announced that the United Kingdom (UK) will from January 1, 2025, initiate a new visa policy that will impact all persons travelling to the UK for extended stays.
The new policy, as announced by the UK government, will replace all physical visa documentation with Electronic Visas (E-Visas), including current physical visas in passports, Biometric Residence Permits (BRP), and Biometric Residence Cards (BRC).
The British High Commission explains that the physical document’s validation will be valid till December 31, 2024, after which they will no longer be used. The new E-Visa system is designed to streamline visa processing and increase security.
The key points stated in the Commission’s announcement are as below:
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 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 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.
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