What the British High Commission Accra does (and does not do)
People often search for the "UK embassy in Ghana", but as fellow Commonwealth members the UK is represented by a high commission. GOV.UK describes its role as building UK-Ghana relations and assisting British nationals in Ghana and Niger.
- Address: Julius Nyerere Link, off Gamel Abdul Nasser Avenue, Accra.
- Access: public visits are by appointment only.
- Visas: no visa counter service is listed. Applications go online to UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), and biometrics are taken at the visa application centre.
For questions about an application, use the UKVI contact tool rather than visiting the Ghana UK embassy (high commission).
Do Ghanaians need a UK visa?
Yes. Ghana appears on the UK's visa national list, so Ghanaian passport holders need a visa before travelling, even for a short holiday or family visit. The UK's electronic travel authorisation (ETA) is not available to Ghanaians: GOV.UK's ETA eligibility list does not include Ghana, and nationalities not on that list must check whether they need a visa instead.
Visitor, Student and Skilled Worker visas
| Visa | Who it is for | Key points |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Visitor | Tourism, family visits, business meetings, short courses, private medical treatment | Usually up to 6 months per visit. No paid or unpaid work for a UK company. Apply up to 3 months before travel. Frequent visitors can request a 2, 5 or 10-year visa. |
| Student | Courses with a licensed UK sponsor | Needs a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS). Apply up to 6 months before the course starts. Maintenance funds of £1,171 a month outside London or £1,529 in London (up to 9 months), held for 28 consecutive days. |
| Skilled Worker | A job offer from a Home Office-approved UK employer | Needs a certificate of sponsorship and an eligible occupation. The general salary threshold is £41,700 a year or the job's going rate, whichever is higher (lower rates apply in some cases). Apply up to 3 months before your start date. |
Current UK visa fees and the Immigration Health Surcharge
These UK visa fees for Ghana applicants come from the Home Office table that took effect on 8 April 2026. The newer table published for 8 October 2026 lists the same amounts for these routes.
| Application (from outside the UK) | Home Office fee |
|---|---|
| Standard Visitor visa (up to 6 months) | £135 |
| Long-term visit visa: 2 / 5 / 10 years | £506 / £903 / £1,128 |
| Student visa | £558 |
| Skilled Worker: up to 3 years / over 3 years | £819 / £1,618 |
| Skilled Worker on the Immigration Salary List: up to 3 years / over 3 years | £628 / £1,235 |
| Health and Care Worker: up to 3 years / over 3 years | £324 / £628 |
| Priority service (optional, where offered) | £500 extra |
| Super priority service (optional, where offered) | £1,000 extra |
Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): visitors do not pay it, and neither does anyone applying from outside the UK for 6 months or less. Students and under-18s pay £776 per year of the visa; most other applicants, including Skilled Workers, pay £1,035 per year. Eligible Health and Care Worker visa holders are exempt. It is paid with the online application. Confirm amounts on the GOV.UK IHS page and the UK visa fees page before paying.
Application for UK visa from Ghana: step by step
- Choose the right route on GOV.UK.
- Gather your evidence (see the checklist below). For Student and Skilled Worker visas, get your CAS or certificate of sponsorship first.
- Book a TB test at an approved clinic if you plan to stay 6 months or more.
- Complete the online form on GOV.UK and pay the visa fee and any IHS.
- Book and attend your appointment at the visa application centre (possible only after submitting online).
- Wait for the decision and do not book non-refundable travel until you have it.
The UK visa application centre in Accra and biometrics
GOV.UK's visa application centre finder sends Ghana applicants to VFS Global. The British High Commission's GOV.UK page gives the centre's location as the 3rd Floor, The Grand Oyeeman, Accra. Confirm opening times, appointments and any optional paid extras (charged on top of the Home Office fee) on the VFS Global Ghana UK page.
At the appointment you show your passport and have your fingerprints and photo (biometrics) taken. Processing time is counted from this appointment, not from payment. See also our VFS Global Ghana guide.
UK visa requirements in Ghana: supporting documents
For visitors, the only mandatory item is your passport, but GOV.UK's guide suggests evidence such as:
| Document | Why it helps |
|---|---|
| Valid passport (mandatory) and old passports | Identity, plus your travel history |
| Bank statements | Show you can pay for the trip, and where the money came from |
| Employer letter on letterhead, with payslips | Confirms your role, salary and approved leave |
| Business registration documents or recent invoices | For self-employed applicants |
| Letter from your school or university | Confirms enrolment and permission to travel |
| Sponsor's documents | If someone in the UK is paying: their funds, UK status and your relationship |
| Invitation letter | For conferences, business events and similar visits |
| TB test certificate | Needed for stays of 6 months or more |
Documents not in English or Welsh need a full translation showing the translator's confirmation of accuracy, the date, their name, signature and contact details. GOV.UK says hotel and flight bookings add little, so don't pay for them before a decision. Students and Skilled Workers should follow their own GOV.UK document lists.
TB test for Ghana residents staying 6 months or more
Ghana is on the UK's TB test list. You need a test if you are going to the UK for 6 months or more, have lived in a listed country for at least 6 months, and were living there within the last 6 months. The certificate is valid for 6 months from the date of your chest x-ray, and only Home Office-approved clinics count. As of GOV.UK's update on 24 August 2026, the approved clinics are:
| Clinic | Location |
|---|---|
| Akai House Clinic | Cantonments, Accra |
| Globe Health Assessment Clinic (Globe Educational Center) | Westland, Legon, Accra |
| UN-IOM Migration Health Assessment Centre | Airport Residential Area, Accra, and Santasi, Kumasi |
| Wellnest Ghana Limited | Dzorwulu, Accra, and Asokwa, Kumasi |
Contact details and test fees are on the GOV.UK Ghana TB clinics page. Check it before booking, because the list changes.
Decision times and priority services
For applications made outside the UK, GOV.UK's usual decision time is 3 weeks for Standard Visitor, Student and Skilled Worker visas, and 12 weeks for family visas. These are UK working weeks from your biometrics appointment, and extra checks can add time.
Where the service is offered, priority (£500) usually gives a decision within 5 working days, and super priority (£1,000) usually by the end of the next working day. Check availability when you apply. A faster service does not improve your chances, and the fee is usually not refunded if the decision is delayed.
UK eVisa and your UKVI account
The UK has moved to digital immigration status. GOV.UK says successful applicants receive an eVisa, which is an online record of their status and its conditions, viewed through a free UKVI account. Any vignette sticker you already hold stays valid until it expires. Link the passport you will travel on to your account, and use share codes to prove your status to employers or landlords. Full explainer: UK eVisa and UKVI account in 2026.
Common UK visa refusal reasons
- Doubts about intention to leave: weak evidence of your job, business, studies or family ties in Ghana.
- Unexplained funds: large recent deposits with no clear source.
- Frequent or long visits: a pattern that suggests you are effectively living in the UK.
- Inconsistencies between your form, your documents and your sponsor's statements.
- Deception: false documents or hidden facts.
- Past immigration breaches in the UK or elsewhere, or undeclared previous refusals.
Other guides: Schengen visas, Canada visas and the US Embassy Accra.
How West Side Travel can help
An application for a UK visa from Ghana is judged on the evidence you submit. Our advisers can help you pick the right route, review your documents and bank statements for gaps or inconsistencies, and prepare for your appointment. Decisions are made solely by UK Visas and Immigration. See our services or contact us.
Book a consultation on WhatsApp
Frequently asked questions
Can I apply for a UK visa at the British High Commission in Accra?
No. You apply online on GOV.UK and attend a biometrics appointment at the VFS Global visa application centre in Accra. The high commission does not take visa applications.
How much is a UK visitor visa from Ghana in 2026?
A Standard Visitor visa for up to 6 months costs £135. Long-term visit visas cost £506 (2 years), £903 (5 years) and £1,128 (10 years). Visitors do not pay the Immigration Health Surcharge.
How long does a UK visa take from Ghana?
The usual decision time for visitor, student and skilled worker applications made outside the UK is 3 weeks from your biometrics appointment. Paid priority services may be available.
Do Ghanaians need an ETA to visit the UK?
No. Ghanaians cannot get an ETA. Ghana is on the UK's visa national list, so you need a visa before you travel.
Where is the UK visa application centre in Accra?
GOV.UK lists VFS Global as the provider for Ghana and gives the centre's location as the 3rd Floor, The Grand Oyeeman, Accra. Confirm current details on the VFS Global Ghana UK page before your appointment.
Do I need a TB test for a UK visa from Ghana?
Only if you plan to stay 6 months or more, for example as a student or skilled worker. Use a Home Office-approved clinic in Accra or Kumasi; certificates last 6 months from the x-ray.
How much bank balance do I need for a UK visitor visa?
GOV.UK sets no fixed minimum for visitors. You must show you can fund your trip, and a clear source of funds matters more than one large balance.
Sources
- British High Commission Accra - GOV.UK
- UK help and services in Ghana - GOV.UK
- Immigration Rules Appendix Visitor: visa national list - GOV.UK
- Check if you can get an ETA - GOV.UK
- Visit the UK as a Standard Visitor - GOV.UK
- Student visa - GOV.UK
- Student visa: money you need - GOV.UK
- Skilled Worker visa - GOV.UK
- UK visa fees - GOV.UK
- Immigration Health Surcharge: how much you pay - GOV.UK
- Find a UK visa application centre - GOV.UK
- VFS Global - UK visa application centre, Ghana
- Visiting the UK: guide to supporting documents - GOV.UK
- Tuberculosis tests for visa applicants - GOV.UK
- Tuberculosis testing in Ghana - GOV.UK
- Visa processing times: applications outside the UK - GOV.UK
- Get a faster decision: applying from outside the UK - GOV.UK
- Getting an eVisa - GOV.UK