Facts

You have been nominated by your employer to attend a business meeting in the UK. You have obtained all necessary documents to be used by you in support of your application. You have never made any application for a UK visa and do not know how to proceed. What must you do to enable you make the application for a visa?

Log-in to the Visa Application Website

You must first complete an online visa application form. Log in to www.visa4uk.fco.gov.uk to access the visa application website. Click “Register an Account” to enter in mandatory details including your name, date of birth, gender, nationality and contact details. You would be required to enter your password which must include at least one CAP letter and both letters and numbers. Please write down your password for easy reference.

Getting to the Visa Application Form

After entering the password details, a message with a link would be sent into your email. Log into your email and click on the link to access the visa application form. On the page, you would again be made to enter some information including your passport number, telephone numbers and intended date of travel.

Select Visa Type

On the same page, you would be required to select your “Visa Type”. This part is very important since the selection of an incorrect “Visa Type” may lead to the refusal of your application or the payment of an incorrect visa fee. You would first be required to select “Reason for Visit”. The options are “Visit”, “Study”, “Work”, “Settlement”, “Transit”, “Other”, and “Exempt”. Since the reason for your travel is to attend a business meeting, “Visit” would be the appropriate option.

Next is to select the “Visa Type”. Some of the choices are “Tourism”, “Family” and “Business”. Based on the reasons for your visit, “Business” would be your appropriate option. If you were visiting a friend or family in the UK, your choice should have been “Family” much the same way your choice should have been “Tourism” if you were visiting as a tourist. The next step is to select the “Visa sub Type” which is usually the duration of the “Visa Type” which is usually 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, 5 years, and 10 years.
What if I am unable to complete the Form in one Step?
If you are unable to complete the Form in one step, you have the option to save it and return to it at a later date. If you wish to return to the Form, you must log in to the visa application website www.visa4uk.fco.gov.uk. Click “Log in” to enter your email address and the password you created earlier.

How do I Book my Appointment?
After completing the Form, you would have to book an appointment to submit your application at the Visa Application Centre. Choose the available date and time most suitable for you. If you select an appointment date and time you have three hours within which to pay for your visa fee otherwise your appointment would be cancelled.

How do I pay for my Visa Fee?
The visa application website does not have the facility to accept cash payments. You can only make payment by credit or debit card. In Ghana, most ATM cards with the “Visa” or “Master Card” logo should be able to make the payment. If you do not have an appropriate card, you may contact a friend or relative to make the payment on your behalf. The current fee for a visit visa is £87. Once payment is made, a confirmation of the appointment should be available on your page for you to print and submit same with your documents at the Visa Application Centre.

Where should I submit my Application?
On the date of your appointment, submit a copy of the Application Form, the Appointment Confirmation together with the originals and copies of all your supporting documents at the Visa Application Centre. You would not be allowed entry if you fail to produce a copy of your appointment confirmation. In Ghana, the Visa Application Centre is located inside the premises of Movenpick Hotel in Accra.

By Emmanuel Opoku Acheampong

Disclaimer: This article only provides general information and guidance on UK immigration law. The specific facts that apply to your matter may make the outcome different than would be anticipated by you. The writer will not accept any liability for any claims or inconvenience as a result of the use of this information. The writer is an immigration law advisor and a practicing law attorney in Ghana. He advises on U.S., UK, and Schengen immigration law. He works for Acheampong & Associates, a law firm in Accra. He may be contacted on acheampongassociatesgh@gmail.com