Australia opens visa application centre

Australia opens visa application centre

By Bernard Yaw ASHIADEY

Australia has opened a visa application centre in Accra, providing Ghanaian applicants a convenient, fast and accessible way to apply for Australian visas.

The centre, located in Lenshie Crescent in Labone Estates, allows Ghanaian clients to lodge visa applications in person. Previously, Ghanaian visa applicants were required to send their applications directly to the Australian High Commission in Kenya.

The Australia High Commissioner to Ghana, William Billy Williams, opening the centre, said, “I am delighted that an accessible visa service is now available for Ghanaians travelling to Australia.”

“This centre is a response to the increasing visa-service demands as increasing numbers of Ghanaians travel to Australia for work (particularly in the mining sector), study, to visit family and for pleasure.

“Australia and Ghana have many shared interests, founded on strong people-to-people links. The already strong relationship between our two countries will be further strengthened as a result of the establishment of an in-country visa service,” he said.

Under the new visa-application arrangements, clients submit their applications in person at the centre, where they will also provide a fingerprint and facial scan.

Biometric data are an important tool in identity management globally, helping countries facilitate the arrival of travellers and to combat fraud.

Many countries are already using biometrics to improve visa and border-checking processes, including Ghana which has implemented the system at Kotoka International Airport.

Australia now uses biometric data collection in 15 countries across Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East.