Parliament, MFARI to consider British High Commission’s visa payment policy

A new payment policy from the British High Commission will be tabled for discussion on Thursday, February 13 and Friday, February 14, 2014, when members of Parliament’s Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration meet at a retreat in Akosombo.

The policy requests visa applicants to pay for their application with internationally recognised electronic payment cards. It has been in force since January.

Speaking on TV3’s News@10 on Tuesday, February, 2014, Alhaji Masawud Mohammed, the Vice Chairman of the Committee conceded that the issue has not officially been brought to the notice of members but it is certain that it will come up for discussion during the retreat.

The Member of Parliament for Pru West Constituency said the discussion will be directed at finding the reasons behind the High Commission’s directive.

Ghana is considered one of the “high risk” countries by the United Kingdom with millions of emigrants staying in the European country.

As a result, the UK last year suggested a visa deposit fee of €3,000 as a guarantee for return of applicants.

This was met with public outcry. It has since been scrapped.

The new policy requests applicants without cards such Visa Card, Master Card or Skrill Credit Card to get help from people who have to make payments on their behalf.