The United Kingdom (UK) government has announced that it will launch an Electronic Visa (E-Visa) system from Wednesday, January 1, 2025.
In a communiqué to Ghana’s Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, the British High Commission confirmed that the E-Visa system will replace all physical visa documents, including visas stamped in passports. This system will also replace Biometric Residence Permits (BRP) and Biometric Residence Cards (BRC).
“These documents, which are used to prove the immigration status of individuals legally permitted to stay in the UK for more than six (6) months, will no longer be valid after December 31, 2024,” the communiqué stated.
The High Commission advised individuals travelling outside the UK, especially during the Christmas season, to apply for and obtain their E-Visas before December 31, 2024, to avoid any complications upon re-entering the UK.
The UK government’s official website outlines how to apply for an E-Visa. From January 1, 2025, Ghanaians wishing to travel to the UK will need to create a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account to access their E-Visa.
Starting January 2025, UKVI will replace physical documents with an online record for verifying the immigration status of foreign nationals living in the UK.
Here are the things one needs to create a UKVI account:
• Smartphone or laptop
• Identity Document – either a passport or a BRP
• An application number, which is created during the application process, or a BRP number
• Date of Birth
• Email address
• Mobile phone number
• Access to the UK Immigration ID Check app, which is available on Google Play Store or App Store
How to create a UKVI account:
1. Go to gov.uk/evisa to create a UKVI account service. Fill in the details and click Create Account. After this, a confirmation email will be sent confirming that the account has been created.
2. Confirm identity by using the UK Immigration ID Check app and following the instructions.
3. Link the account to E-Visa by completing all sections on the task list and confirming the declaration before clicking submit. An email will be sent when the E-Visa is ready to view.
4. Once the account is created, the E-Visa will be linked to the identity document used in the creation of the UKVI account.
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