Introduction

Generally, making a reapplication, a review or an appeal (depending on the type of visa refused) against a visa refusal can be stressful, slow, and ultimately expensive either for the applicant or other interests involved (being it a friend, relative, organisation, etc.). It is therefore better to avoid the hassle associated with the aftermath of a refusalby ensuring that the initial application is properly made to yield a favourable decision.

The principles advanced in this article apply to all visas including UK, US, Schengen visas. It also applies whether or not the visa applied for is a short or long term visa, an immigrant or non-immigrant visa, or a temporary or settlement visa.

1.Be sure of the visa type you are applying for

Your application is likely to be considered inadmissible for processing if youmake an application for an incorrect visa type. Knowing the correct visa type will enable you complete the correct visa form and pay the applicable visa fee. It can be really inconvenient and time consuming to submit an application only to be told that your application cannot be accepted because you completed the wrong visa form or paid the incorrect visa fee. This may be fatal especially when you are attending a family event or other activity with specific timelines.

2.Complete the visa form fully and correctly

You must complete the correct form properly and fully. All the sections on the form must be answered and the form must be signed by you. If a portion of the form does not apply to your case, you may simply enter “Not Applicable” or simply “N/A”.

You may allow a friend, relative, agent or other person either abroad or in Ghana to complete the form on your behalf for you to check and sign before submission.You arehowever responsible for your own application and will thus be liable for any error, omission, or false information enteredon the form by the person. You must therefore review the completed form to ensure that it contains full and correct information before signing.

3.Enclose all necessary documentsand with translations,if applicable.You must enclose all necessary documents, and with translations if you are submitting a document in a language other than that of the visa application authority. You must submit all documents in originals or if not, an explanation why you are unable to submit the original. You must always consider submitting additional documents, even if they are not asked for, provided they add to the application. For example, a self-employed person may wish to provide proof of his or her business activity in the form of invoices and receipts of the business, even though this may not be specifically mentioned in the applicable document guide.

If a document is not available, you must explain why this is the case. It is always better to explain why you are unable to provide a document rather than procure an alternative document which may ultimately turn out to be false. For example, an applicant who is customarily married but whose marriagehas been not registered may wish to prove that he or she is married. In many cases, the applicant maywish to obtain a belated marriage document or a backdated marriage document ostensibly to reflect the date of marriage. In the former case, the recency of the document may cause the officer to raise concerns with the claimed marriage. In the latter case, the document may turn out to be false upon verification.

Rather than go through this unnecessary and costly path, you may simply explain that you were married customarily and that your marriage has not been registered. In addition, you may also provide statements from any of the witnesses to the marriage to confirm that they were present at the marriage ceremony and witnessed it.Additionally, the submission of the birth certificates of the children, if any, may further strengthen your case that you are indeed married.

To be continued…

Disclaimer: This article only provides general information and guidance on general 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 part-time for Acheampong & Associates Ltd, an immigration law firm in Accra. He may be contacted on acheampongassociatesgh@gmail.com.