Visa forms are free - British High Commission

The British High Commission has said that blank visa application forms are free of charge and under no circumstances should an applicant pay a fee for them.

It also urged members of the public to report any instances of forms being sold or "queuing fees" being charged. This is contained in a statement issued in Accra following reports that some visa applicants have had to buy blank application forms while others have paid fees to unofficial queue marshals in order to submit their applications early.

It said the High Commission condemns in no uncertain terms such behaviour and is taking measures to ensure that it ceases forthwith. "The High Commission urges members of the public to report immediately any instances of forms being sold or 'queuing fees' being charged."

The statement quoted Mr. Mike Nithavrianakis, a spokesman for the High Commission, as saying the visa section is facing "unprecedented demand." However, it is doing its best to see every applicant promptly. "The sheer number of applications being received has put considerable strain on the service."