The Ghana High Commission in the UK has launched the automated visa/passport online application which aims at making it easy for applicants who wish to apply for passport or visa. This was made known when His Excellency Professor Kwaku Danso-Boafo briefed the media at the mission's conference hall on Thursday the 20th of January; on the activities, initiatives, youth and investment fora and outreach programmes the Mission has undertaken in the last two years.

The new automated application procedure was demonstrated to the media by the Consular in-charge of Visas and Passports, Benard Quanson. He took journalists through the process of making an application using the new automated system, explaining to them at every stage.

In a statement, the mission stated that "the new procedure is the second phase of the modernisation process started in 2009.

"The second phase allows applicants wishing to apply for Ghanaian passports to log onto the Mission's website and select the required service. Applicants will then fill the form online. Upon completion, applicants will automatically submit the application online. Hard, signed and witness copies of the submitted forms, together with all the required supporting documents will then be posted to the Mission or presented in person."

The statement added that "the new facility makes allowance for applicants who may wish to submit applications in person to do so by obtaining appointments online. Appointments will be controlled and operated on a first come first serve basis."

According to the Mission, a standard time for processing passports is two to three weeks. However, the automated system is designed to facilitate a 24 hour Express, and a 72 hour Priority processing service at a premium rate. The payments methods for processing passports are postal orders and bank drafts. Applicants will soon be able to pay by credit cards.

In view of the difficulty applicants used to go through to acquire passports and visas, the Mission has taken steps to make it easier and comfortable for its clients, especially applicants living in other parts of UK other than London. In doing so the mission after processing a postal application, "the applicant's passport and supporting documents through DX Secure mail delivery services with a unique tracking reference." Also "the mission will use text messaging and email services to notify applicants when the Mission receives their documents, and when their approve applications are ready for collection or dispatch. It will also be used to communication with applicants if there is a query with their application or they need to attend an interview."

The Mission hopes the new procedure will reduce the long periods of wait that normally characterise passport applications and eventually reduce the number of visits applicants would make to enquire about their applications.

To ensure that the system is not abused by passport agents and fraudsters, the Mission has cautioned that the "online service is only available on the mission's official website www.ghanahighcommissionuk.com. Application forms from any other websites will be rejected when presented at the mission."

The High Commission said it "will be launching an automated online visa application procedure as Phase 3 by Monday 7th February 2011." This system, the mission states, "will offer similar functionalities for the passport application procedure"

Finally, the High Commission is encouraging Ghanaians to always visit the mission's website for more information on the activities and new developments at the mission.