Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom have jointly launched a high-profile public awareness campaign to combat the growing threat of visa fraud in Ghana, warning that thousands of applicants risk losing money and facing long-term travel bans if they rely on fraudulent agents.
The week-long initiative, rolled out as part of International Fraud Awareness Week (16–22 November 2025), seeks to educate the public on the risks of visa scams and emphasize the use of official government channels when applying for visas to the three countries.
According to the three High Commissions, visa fraud continues to affect a significant number of Ghanaian travelers, often resulting in financial loss, emotional distress, and, in many cases, refusals accompanied by bans of up to 10 years.
Australian High Commissioner, H.E. Berenice Owen-Jones, said the campaign reflects a united effort to protect applicants and promote integrity within international migration systems.
“Australia is proud to stand with our international partners to combat visa fraud,” Australian High Commissioner H.E. Berenice Owen-Jones said. “The Fighting Visa Fraud campaign sends a clear message — if you are applying for a visa, always use trusted, official sources and beware of anyone promising shortcuts or guaranteed results.”
Her comments were echoed by the British High Commissioner, H.E. Dr. Christian Rogg, who revealed that 1,632 Ghanaian applicants attempted to use fraudulent means when applying for UK visit visas in 2024 — representing about 4% of all Ghanaian applicants.
“That is still far too many people misled by agents into taking an action that resulted in a 10-year visa ban. Fraud is never worth the risk,” he stressed.
Canadian High Commissioner H.E. Myriam Montrat reaffirmed her country’s commitment to transparent and secure migration processes, stressing that the trilateral effort shows a collective responsibility to protect applicants.
“Canada remains firmly committed to promoting safe, orderly and regular migration,” she said. “We are taking decisive steps to stop fraudulent practices that put applicants at risk.”
Throughout the campaign, the three High Commissions will share educational materials across their social media platforms under the hashtag #AUSCANUKGH, providing guidance on navigating official visa processes and avoiding misinformation.
The High Commissions say the collaboration underscores a shared priority: defending the integrity of their immigration systems while ensuring fairness and accessibility for genuine applicants.
