Accra, Feb. 9, GNA - The Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany on Thursday announced the establishment a new Visa Reception Centre with effect from Monday February 13 to be operated by VFS Ghana Private Limited.

It would be opened with the aim to better serve the Ghanaian public and to organise an applicant-friendly procedure for the expected high demand for German visas for the Football World Cup 2006 in Germany. The Visa Reception Centre would offer the advantages to applicants including allotting of interview appointments for applicants considering their needs and time schedule.

A statement the German Embassy issued in Accra said applicants did not have to submit their applications in person but may choose to send their documents by messengers to the Visa Reception Centre instead to arrange interview appointments at the German Embassy's visa section.

However, for the interview itself every applicant would continue to be required to come personally to the German Embassy's visa section. The Visa Reception Centre provides counselling services to applicants and operates as a Call Centre for information on visa rules and regulations.

It also pre-screens the documents submitted by the applicants and offers advice, which additional documents need to be obtained and thus enabling the applicant to attend the interview with complete documents. Applications are processed within four days from the interview and that the Embassy was hopeful that the opening of the Visa Reception Centre would eliminate long and unpleasant waiting periods for visa applicants in the future, thus helping travellers with their travel arrangements to Germany.

Address: Visa Reception Centre, No. 19, 2nd Crescent, Asylum Down, Accra

Contact: Tel/Fax 021-22.92.75,

e-mail info@vfs-germany.com.gh, www.vfs-germany.com.gh

Opening hours: Monday through Friday, 0730 hours to 1500 hours.