Accra, March 20, GNA - The British High Commission announced on Tuesday that UK visa fees would go up from April 1.

A statement issued in Accra said the increases, the first since 2005, were because of 93a substantial change in programme, which aims to improve the control and to improve further customer service". The statement said transit, direct airside transit visas were now 815,000 cedis, six month visa was now 1.170 million cedis, student visa was 1.835 million cedis while one-year, two-year, 10-year visit visa was 3.7 million cedis.

Returning residents would also 3.7 million cedis, while settlement is 9.250 million cedis.

The statement said the new fees incorporated the handling charge previously levied separately by our commercial partner VFS. It said applicants for long-term visas would need to obtain a certificate to confirm clearance from contagious tuberculosis before lodging their applications.